Given the Bay Area's subtle seasons, it's sometimes easier to tell the time of year by what beer you're holding.
According to that calendar, we're slipping out of pumpkin season and approaching a slew of wintry flavors, from ginger to allspice to pine. With this list of 6 seasonal Bay Area beer offerings, I hope you'll join me in toasting to the holiday beer gods, whatever your celebration of choice may be.
Anchor Winter Wheat
I'm going to start off by being a grinch: No Anchor Christmas this year. I'm aware it's the 40th anniversary of the holiday brew (check out their history of the very cool labels) but the recipe, which changes from year to year, isn't doing it for me this time. Fortunately, Anchor has released another seasonal: this one a "winter wheat." It's modeled on a Bavarian dunkelweizen (like a hefeweizen, german for "yeast wheat," dunkelweizen translates to "dark wheat.") Close your eyes and think of roasty banana bread, because you'll get all those flavors and more. Widely available, search here for Anchor.
A generous helping of spices makes this British winter warmer difficult to pair with anything it's kind of like an egg-nog beer but on it's own I've come to like it. You'll get a lot of nutmeg, with a rich, caramel foamy head. And you'll be seeing this one around as 21st Amendment only increases its ubiquity in SF. That's part of the beauty of canning: park and holiday party portability are a non-issue. Widely available, search here for 21st Amendment.
Triple Voodoo Carcosa Belgian Quad
Triple Voodoo (now of the Dogpatch) is introducing a very limited run of their Carcosa Belgian Quad (brewed with blue agave) this winter. You'll see it in big bottles that will probably age well and make great gifts, and it can also be nabbed at their taproom. Quads are a sweet and boozy joy this time of year, so gift yoself. Limited availability at Triple Voodoo Tap Room, 2245 3rd Street (between 19th and 20th Streets), bottle shop search here.
Mikkeller Hoppy Lovin' Christmas
It may not be Bay Area-brewed, but it's served right here at Mikkeller Bar and is not to be missed. Hoppy Lovin' Christmas, an IPA with added ginger and pine needles, is like taking a sleigh ride to Mikeller's native Denmark and back, all from the comfort of Mikeller's upscale Tenderloin tap room. Mikkeller Bar, 34 Mason St. (between Eddy and Turk Streets).
Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale
This wet hop bomb deserves a place at all your holiday meals even if its stretching the Bay Area designation. In classic Sierra Nevada style it's piney, citrusy, and generally delicious. It's also highly recommended for those who are already fans of Torpedo. Wet hops come but once a year (right after harvest) and are thrown in without drying out for funkier, fresher flavors. Celebration is world class, agrees Beer Advocate. Torpedo Room, 1075 E 20th St, Berkeley, and bottles widely available.
Cellarmaker Brewing Company's Blammo!
Cellarmaker has won many hearts and minds with their seemingly infinite hoppy pale offerings and winners like the dark, smoky Coffee and Cigarettes. This season, they're aging an imperial stout on oak with coconut, and it's predicted to be a whopping 14.5% abv. Yes, I have asked Santa for a growler of the stuff, provided I behave myself until Christmas. Cellarmaker,1150 Howard Street (between 7th and 8th Streets).
Image: 21st Amendment Brewery
