Seasonal craft beers: A guide to winter beers on Delmarva
Ryan Marshall
My (second) dessert for Thanksgiving dinner is usually of the liquid variety. There's no better time for craft beer.
Pine-y IPAs, decadent stouts, something aged in a bourbon barrel — if you like craft beer, your local brewers have something for you.
To make this Thanksgiving, or Christmas, dinner choices a little easier, here's our guide to some of the best local and national brews that you can find from Thanksgiving to Christmas. Most will be available to take home from the brewery or your local craft beer store, but others you'll just have to belly-up and enjoy.
Compliments and complaints can be sent to rmarshall@delmarvanow.com. Cheers.
Anchor Christmas Ale
Let's start with a classic that you'll find everywhere but better be quick about it.
This winter warmer recipe changes every year just like the Christmas tree on the label. The brewery says it has hints of toffee and roasted nuts with a touch of herbal spice. Everything else has been a secret for 43 years.
Keep an eye out for six packs and big bottles around early November.
From the brewery: "A smooth and creamy winter warmer with rich flavors of cacao, toffee and roasted nuts, and subtle hints of honey and herbal spice, this year’s brew marks the 43rd annual release of this Anchor tradition."
Burley Oak — Rose Grape Squish
Who needs wine when you can have both (pretty much)?
Founder Bryan Brushmiller was excited for this release on Nov. 17, so hopefully there are a few cans lingering around, or you'll have to go behind the bar at the Berlin brewery. The Rose grape brewed with a fruited sour ale would pair nicely with a turkey dinner.
From the brewery: "I think the one that everyone should look for is the Rose Grape Squish. It's our intermingling of the wine industry with the beer industry," Brushmiller said.
More:Burley Oak, Delmarva craft breweries thrive on specialty cans releases
More:Brewers pick what beer fits your Thanksgiving dinner and leftovers
Tröegs — Mad Elf
Just like the Anchor beer, Mad Elf by Tröegs can be found on Delmarva in November. The 11 percent ale is full of flavor, especially cherries and honey with some seasonal spices. The spicy Belgian yeast balances the sweetness of the cherry and honey flavors, making it an all-time holiday favorite.
You can find six packs, big bottles and the occasional gift package.
From the brewery: "The holidays at Tröegs start with our inner Mad Elf momentarily taking over the brew deck. So blame “him” for this cheerful ruby red creation reminiscent of ripened cherries, raw honey and cocoa with notes of cinnamon, clove and allspice."
RAR Brewing — Ice Cream Seas
You can always count on the guys at RAR in Cambridge to whip something interesting up. But ice cream cones and vanilla in a double IPA? I'm in. RAR released the cans Nov. 17, so if you don't make it, head to the brewery for this 8 percent brew.
The can artwork is a keeper.
From the brewery: "DIPA brewed with two strains of vanilla bean and 1,000 waffle cones."
Dogfish Head — Pennsylvania Tuxedo
You don't have to drink the beer in a flannel, but it's recommended to get the full effect of the woods-y flavors. The pale ale features grassy citrus and notes of fresh green spruce tips, according to the brewery, but it's obvious on the first sniff.
Find the four packs of the 8.5 percent ale across Delmarva.
From the brewery: "A spruce-infused pale ale, Pennsylvania Tuxedo pays homage to the flannel-suited hunters and gatherers who dwell deep in the backcountry of north-central PA."
Blue Earl Brewing — Top of the World Imperial Stout
Let's darken things up with an imperial stout brewed with a ton of malts. The Smyrna brewery releases Top of the World Imperial Stout in mid-November, but it's only on draft at the brewery and restaurants (sorry), so keep an eye out.
The aged vanilla bean flavor with notes of rich chocolate, espresso and dark caramel with hints of bourbon is worth the search. Don't let the malts fool you, 92 IBUs means plenty of hop kick. Drink responsibly at about 10 percent.
From the brewery: "This beer utilizes a complex blend of malts such as Pale Ale, Black, Roasted, Caramel, Chocolate and Special B malts. We use three hops, including CTZ, Chinook and Cascade hops."
Magic Hat — Heart of Darkness
Anytime a brewery can fit diabolical in a description and play on a literary title, I'm game, but the Heart of Darkness is perfectly balanced for a stout — bitter, sweet and malty.
It's available in six packs during the fall and comes in at 5.7 percent.
From the brewery: "Heart of Darkness is a diabolically delicious stout with silky, full-bodied mouthfeel swirling around a dreamlike undercurrent of bittersweet chocolate from deep roasted malts."
More:Beer is the answer for your holiday gift problems
Revelation — S'morter Porter
The Rehoboth area brewery took a campfire favorite and spliced it together with a a roasty porter. With chocolate and vanilla notes, be sure to keep an eye out for this at Revelation.
It's available at the brewery on tap and is available to go in browlers and growlers.
From the brewery: "There’s nothing better than S’Mores around a campfire this time of year. Roasty, chocolate, biscuit, and smoked malts plus flaked oats and barley make up this rich grain bill. We threw cocao nibs, grated cocoa, and vanilla beans in the boil to create this creamy treat for the fall. Cheers!"
Evolution — Bourbon Migration
If you like Prelude Black from Evolution in Salisbury, than you'll love it aged in bourbon barrels. The aging process adds a bourbon kick and a vanilla sweetness (along with 10.5 percent ABV) that makes this strong ale a winter obligation.
Big bottles available at the brewery and some surrounding stores.
From the brewery: "A dark, strong ale aged in bourbon barrels. This bourbon-forward ale has aggressive notes of vanilla, char and bourbon heat. Balancing the barrel character are elements of chocolate, coffee, toffee and caramel. This beer is black with a tan head, modest carbonation."
Iron Hill — Wee Heavy Scotch Ale
Plenty of Great American Beer Festival medals for this long-time Delaware brew. The sweet and smoky 8.3 percent ale is a good gift or one to stash and age.
Find bottles at Iron Hill locations throughout the East Coast but better call ahead.
From the brewery: "This full-bodied, Scotch-style ale has a distinct malty-sweet, fruity aroma and flavor. And because it’s brewed with peat-smoked malts, a nice, light smokiness lurks in the background."