The Brew Kettle
Winter Warmer
"We add orange and lemon peel to get a slight citrus vibe, along with the typical cinnamon and ginger," says head brewer Jack Kephart. "It's just something to pour in a snifter, sip and relax."
Thirsty Dog
12 Dogs of Christmas
"We hand-peel all of our ginger right at the brewery, and we use whole nutmeg that is ground right at the boil for the maximum amount of flavor," says owner and brewer John Najeway. "It tastes like Christmas in a bottle."
Fat Heads
Holly Jolly
"We use honey, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg — which gives it a festive flavor — and a little coriander," says brewer Matt Cole. "The idea is to keep it dry, crisp, clean, refreshing and dangerously drinkable."
Great Lakes Brewing Co.
Christmas Ale
"We use cinnamon, fresh ginger root and fermented honey. We don't add nutmeg like people think we do," says brewer Luke Purcell. "The honey is the X-factor. There are subtle differences based on how the honey ferments. Sometimes it's a little sweeter, which subdues the spices because of the fuller body. Some years it's a bit dry, and the spices come through more."
Platform Brewing Co.
Esther Belgian Christmas Ale
"We went with something unspiced with no nutmeg and brewed with enormous amounts of honey," says brewmaster Shaun Yasaki. "You get floral notes and the flavor of honey without the sweetness."
Hoppin' Frog
Frosted Frog
