Holiday Beers For Holiday Cheers

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The holidays are upon us, which means the party season is in full swing. But what beer should you serve at your soiree or bring to the neighborhood shindig?



Major national beer companies like Anheuser-Busch (BUD) and Miller Brewing, and many smaller, craft brewers such as Sierra Nevada and Goose Island, have a full line of seasonal drinks around this time of year. They run the gamut from a simple, spicy, Bavarian-style wheat beer to a rich, chocolaty lager, so you can easily find the perfect pairing for your party.



If you're hosting an open house this year, you may want to forgo the boring six-pack or case in favor of a sampler pack of seasonal brews. The Michelob Specialty Sampler Collection has 20 12-oz. bottles in five varieties, including Michelob Bavarian-Style Wheat, Marzen, Pale Ale, Amber Bock, and Porter. The dark, rich porter will warm your guests up on a cold winter night. Samuel Adams has a similar Winter Classics pack that includes its Winter Lager, Old Fezziwig, Cranberry Lambic, and Holiday Porter beers. Beer purists may scoff at the sweetness of the Lambic, but its refreshing, cranberry flavor has a nice, broad appeal.



Pair with Food

Testing the waters [or suds] in your neck of the woods shows you've got beer cred: Consider bringing a seasonal six-pack from a local brewer to your friend's Christmas tree-decorating party. There are scores of small, craft brewers across the country, meaning you won't have to drive far to find what's on tap in your neighborhood. In Chicago, the nutty flavor of Goose Island Christmas Ales is a favorite among the locals. Pyramid Snow Cap Ale, found largely in the Pacific Northwest, has a rich, amber color and a spicy, fruity flavor. Snowblower Ale, from the folks at Dogfish Brewery in Delaware, has more traditional malt and hop characteristics. Colorado-based New Belgium Brewery, maker of the popular Fat Tire, puts out its 2Below beer in the winter.



Don't overlook serving seasonal beer, instead of the usual wine, at your dinner table. With such a range of flavors and tastes, beer also works well with many of the festive foods served this time of year. [Although, frankly, we're not sure anything goes with fruitcake.] Generally speaking, beers with a lighter flavor, like an Indian Pale Ale, work best with lighter foods like a salad or a fish. For heartier meals like roast beef or duck, try a more robust beer such as a porter. Jack's Pumpkin Spice Ale pairs well with turkey or butternut squash soup. Brooklyn Brewery Black Chocolate Stout is a nice accompaniment to a rich chocolate cake -- and can even be used to make such a dessert.



To help you sort through the choices, we tested some of the latest seasonal beers in stores right now. Click here for some of our favorites.