What should we expect from a self-titled 'Holiday Ale Fest?' Simple answer would be, Holiday Ales! But, what are Holiday Ales? Well.... to start... it states, "ales." OK. Do we want to go historically? OK.... Within the existence of International Holiday Ale's being produced, they have been beers that are unique in design. That puts it pretty simple. While some breweries have made modified or created stronger versions of their ales and call them a Holiday product, most go out on limp and do something "Special" for the Holiday season. Utilizing, interesting ingredients, complex malts, processing, hop additions and the like. The basic definition of a Holiday ale is something that is uniquely different from standard offerings.
Holiday Ale fest should then be an experience of something Special. Beyond the norm? Beyond what we've all had in the past? Correct?
Listed below is the Standard List of this years Holiday Ale fest. Let's see if this Holiday Ale fest practices what it's preaching.
The Doc has always been a big advocate for the Holiday Ale Fest and has commended their efforts to bring forth some interesting, special an unique International Holiday Beers. But....the tides may have turned.
* Denotes Doc Worts comments
10 Barrel Brewing Co. *(Possibly worth tasting...needs definition. DW)
Winter Ale
Frosty's Revenge
Beer details coming soon.
Beer Location: TBD
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Alameda Brewing Co. *(Unique? NO! Over exposed@ HAF)
Olde Ale • ABV: 8.2% • IBUs: 30 • O.G.: 20.2° • F.G.: 4.5°
Papa Noel's Special Reserve (2011)
This beer is brewed in the style of a big, malty English Olde Ale. Hopped with Styrian Goldings in the kettle and fermenter, this ale has a distinct English character. Post fermentation, this beer was aged on Whiskey soaked French white oak spires, lending some tannins and dryness to the huge amount of Crystal malt employed in the grist. You may find hints of toffee, raisins, chocolate or caramel in this dark copper brew.
Beer Location: TBD
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Bayern Brewing Co. *(Standard production style... not an ALE. Dark vs blond? Blond would be far more unique!)
German Ale
Dark Doppel Bock
Beer details coming soon.
Beer Location: TBD
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Bear Republic Brewing Co. *(Stout! OK.... what makes it unique?)
Stout
Prepare To Be Boarded
Beer details coming soon.
Beer Location: TBD
-
Breakside Brewery *(Nothing to entice)
Red Ale
TBD
Beer details coming soon.
Beer Location: TBD
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BridgePort Brewing Co. *(AGAIN! Not unique.... we've all had it)
Barley Wine
Old Knucklehead
Beer details coming soon.
Beer Location: TBD
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Burnside Brewing Co. *(What is it?)
Winter Ale
White Out Arctic Ale
Beer details coming soon.
Beer Location: TBD
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Cascade Brewing *(Another Stout! OK... what makes it something Holiday related?))
Stout
Diesel #2
Beer details coming soon.
Beer Location: TBD
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Coalition Brewing Co. *(Strong ale doesn't say a whole lot)
Strong Ale
The Lost Glove
Beer details coming soon.
Beer Location: TBD
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Collaborator *(Been there, done that! Anything interesting about this beer?)
Olde Ale
Barrel-Aged Hallucinator
Beer details coming soon.
Beer Location: TBD
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Columbia River Brewing Co. *(Oh! A Chocolate Cherry Stout.... pass)
Stout
Imperial Stumblers Chocolate Cherry Stout
Beer details coming soon.
Beer Location: TBD
-
Crux Fermentation Project *(No info)
Winter Ale
TBD
Beer details coming soon.
Beer Location: TBD
-
Deschutes Brewery *(No info.... maybe some more of that Acetone Finger nail polish beer?)
Other
TBD
Beer details coming soon.
Beer Location: TBD
-
Dogfish Head Craft Brewery *(Not unique.... can buy it in most beer stores every year)
Belgian Ale
Raison D'Etre
Beer details coming soon.
Beer Location: TBD
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Eel River Brewing Co. *(OK! Blend of what? Infected throw away beer or what? More info)
Blend
Noel Barrel-Aged Blend
Beer details coming soon.
Beer Location: TBD
Firestone Walker Brewing Co. *(Wanna bet it's one of there standard run beers?)
Other
TBD
Beer details coming soon.
Beer Location: TBD
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Fort George Brewery *(How about 3 stupid men? What the hell is it?)
Other
The Three Wisemen
Beer details coming soon.
Beer Location: TBD
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Full Sail Brewing Co. *(I have some of these in cellar!)
Stout
Black Gold (2011)
Beer details coming soon.
Beer Location: TBD
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Gigantic Brewing *(Olde ale? OK.... uniqueness?)
Olde Ale
TBD
Beer details coming soon.
Beer Location: TBD
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Gilgamesh Brewing Co. *(its Belgian! oooo! That tell me nothing!)
Belgian Ale
Blitz'n Prancer
Beer details coming soon.
Beer Location: TBD
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Golden Valley Brewery *(Holy Crap! Another non described Stout!? Is it stout year? That's a standard beer style if I'm not mistaken?)
Stout
Black Panther
Beer details coming soon.
Beer Location: TBD
-
Kells Brewpub
Porter
Kells Mexican Mocha Porter *( Oh! Mexican Mocha!? Let me guess.... Mocha cinnamon flavored. Maybe.)
Beer details coming soon.
Beer Location: TBD
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Lagunitas Brewing Co. *(Bet it's drier than 2012.... PASS!)
Barley Wine • ABV: 10.6% • IBUs: 69 • O.G.: 24.0°
Olde Gnarly Wine (2010)
Making a Mondo Ultra Mega Super Premium barley wine is a little like having a kid. The first part is fun and messy, it takes a while to ferment, and then a little longer to mature. It is expensive and takes of a lot of space. You worry about how it'll grow up and whether or not you'll still be friends. Eventually, it stays out all night and comes home with its skirt on backwards. You know how it is...
Beer Location: TBD
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Lompoc Brewing
Belgian Ale
Francl'y Brewdolph (2011) *(Ho hum!)
Beer details coming soon.
Beer Location: TBD
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Lucky Labrador Brewpub *(And yet another Stout!! WOW! When did a Standard Stout become a Holiday Ale?)
Stout
Milk and Cookies
Beer details coming soon.
Beer Location: TBD
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McMenamins (Kennedy School) *(Well! A Scottish ale! That's out of the norm, but not so far out enough to call it a special Holiday Beer)
Scotch Ale
Blenshee Blizzard
Beer details coming soon.
Beer Location: TBD
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Migration Brewing *(I guess the allure of it being Belgian is the catch?)
Belgian Ale
Franky Paws
Beer details coming soon.
Beer Location: TBD
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Natian Brewery *( OH MY FRICKIN GOD! REALLY?!)
Stout
10BBL Overture
Beer details coming soon.
Beer Location: TBD
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New Belgium Brewing Co. *(Oh no... you can't find this on the self in Safeway every year)
Belgian Ale
Frambozen
Beer details coming soon.
Beer Location: TBD
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Ninkasi Brewing Co. *(Will it be infected this year or under-fermented? Alert the media! A CDA is now a Holiday beer!)
CDA
Ancient Alien
Beer details coming soon.
Beer Location: TBD
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Oakshire Brewing *( Just saw it at New Seasons!)
Strong Ale
Very Ill Tempered Gnome
Beer details coming soon.
Beer Location: TBD
-
Pyramid Brewing Co. *(What kind of fruit? Oh hell... it's Pyramid, who cares!)
Fruit Beer
Figgy Pudding
Beer details coming soon.
Beer Location: TBD
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Rock Bottom Brewery (Portland) *(A Pilsner!?)
Pilsner
Wenceslas
Beer details coming soon.
Beer Location: TBD
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Rogue Ales Brewery *(Another mystery Belgian! Will it be unique or just a Belgian ale? Have to go to find out! NOT!)
Belgian Ale
Brew 15,000
Beer details coming soon.
Beer Location: TBD
-
Rusty Truck Brewing *(Please!)
Porter
TBD
Beer details coming soon.
Beer Location: TBD
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Seven Brides Brewing *(Brandy Barrel Pils? Hmmm.... That might be worth trying)
Pilsner
Brandy Barrel-Aged Lil's Pils
Beer details coming soon.
Beer Location: TBD
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Speakeasy Brewing Co. *(I'll put my magic swami hat on... uh....uh... Payback Porter?)
Porter
TBD
Beer details coming soon.
Beer Location: TBD
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Stone Brewing Co. *(Porters and Stouts! I'm getting bored just reading the repetition!)
Porter
Suitable For Cave Aging (2011)
Beer details coming soon.
Beer Location: TBD
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Terminal Gravity Brewing Co. *(Go to Safeway,,,, they probably have some in the store room they couldn;t sell)
Winter Ale
Festivale (2008)
Beer details coming soon.
Beer Location: TBD
Enterprise, OR -
The Commons Brewery *(BELGIAN? yet again.... entice me with more info)
Belgian Ale
TBD
Beer details coming soon.
Beer Location: TBD
-
Vertigo Brewing
CDA
Bob Barley's Dreaded Holiday Ale *(They're still around?)
Beer details coming soon.
Beer Location: TBD
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Walking Man Brewing Co. *(I've had this.... it's very good..... don't need to go to fest to try it.)
CDA
Santa's Little Black Homo
Beer details coming soon.
Beer Location: TBD
Stevenson, WA -
Widmer Brothers Brewing Co. *(What are the chances of something beyond Brrrrrr? )
Other
TBD
Beer details coming soon.
Beer Location: TBD
Maybe at a latter date we can review the beers from "rare" category. You know, the beers that cost more because they were sitting in a cold basement for a few more years. Some weren't worth drinking the first time, others may be the Golden Nuggets of the past... when the festival actually served up something interesting. ;-)
3 comments:
FWIW, HAF has at long last posted the descriptions for the 'standard release' beers, and the list of 'limited release' beers. Meh. This may well be the first year I don't attend.
thanks for sharing.
I certainly enjoy it, as it is really much better than on other websites
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