Want to hear the most annoying sound in the world? As Lloyd Christmas in Dumb and Dumber, Jim Carrey capped off a banner 1994 (that same year, he also was the protagonist of each of The Mask and Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, the latter of which has not aged well). Alvarado Street delivers another stellar hazy Double IPA in his numbskull character’s honor, hopped with Amarillo, Huell Melon, Idaho 7 and Mosaic. So you’re telling me there’s a chance. Yeah!

 

For over four decades, Anchor Brewing in San Francisco has brewed a Christmas Ale, but the recipe changes each and every time. Furthermore, the hand-drawn label boasts an artistic rendering of a different species of tree – this year’s iteration is the blue gum. Did you know the blue gum was a subtype of eucalyptus? I certainly did not until examining the magnum bottles of Anchor Christmas 2022, making the occasion an arboreal lesson as well. The impressive 1.5L foil-wrapped vessels make for the most affordable large-format beer every December – stop by and pick one up on your way to the holiday parties!

 

The wonderful country of Belgium has an extraordinary range of beer styles. The cold winters there also lend themselves well to warming ales with boosted alcohol levels through the addition of candi sugar. A spicing element is often also prevalent at this time of year, whether through expressive yeast-strains or actual spices. A tribute to these seasonal treats comes to us from Hood River’s pFriem, with a touch of coriander as the secret ingredient. Vrolijk Kerstfeest / Joyeaux Noël!