Perch Pub Celebrates the Season with 12 Beers of Christmas
Broad Street craft beer stop Perch Pub is kicking off the holidays right with a series of a dozen special brews, introduced one by one for the next 12 days. Notable quaffs in the winter-appropriate lineup include Colorado’s massive Great Divide Hibernation, thick and heady Southern Tier Old Man Winter and the classic rarity Austrian Samichlaus. Offerings range from $4–$16.50 (that high point for a 25-ouncer).
Tuesday, December 6: Brew Works Rude Elf (Bethlehem, PA)
Rude Elf’s Reserve comes in at a whopping 10.5% ABV and is brewed with a special blend of spices and a unique selection of Belgian yeasts to create a warm and inviting holiday brew (10.5% ABV; 12oz; $5.50).
Wednesday, December 7: Heavy Seas Winter Storm (Baltimore)
A "winter warmer" ale, brewed with copious helpings of English malts and US and English hops, a ruddy hued "Imperial ESB" in style. Full malty flavors dancing with powerful hop aromas and a lingering, firm hop bitterness (7.5% ABV; 12oz; $4.50).
Thursday, December 8: Great Divide Hibernation (Colorado)
English-style Old Ale. Hibernation Ale is Colorado’s original strong ale -- it has been Great Divide’s winter seasonal each year since 1995. Hibernation’s massive flavors are so intense that it requires over three months of aging each year. This lengthy aging process gives Hibernation its revered malty richness, complex hop profile and hearty warming character, which is perfect right out of the bottle or cellared for longer periods of time (8.7% ABV; 12oz; $6).
Friday, December 9: Breckenridge Christmas Ale (Colorado)
The chill of a Colorado high-country winter calls for a beer with extra flavor and strength. Here it is. At over 7% alcohol, with a sturdy texture and rich flavors of caramel and chocolate, our holiday seasonal is the fermented equivalent of a good fire. The ultimate winter warmer (7.4% ABV; 12oz; $4.50).
Saturday, December 10: Southern Tier Old Man Winter (New York)
With the onset of winter, the brewer’s mind turns to providing warmth. For a winter seasonal, Southern Tier offers Old Man Winter Ale, a rich and complex amalgam of hops and barley that will put the feeling back in your toes and lift your spirits above the snow. Old Man Winter throws a deep and inviting hue with a thickness that clings to the glass and the warmth of an open flame. Because of its high alcohol content, Old Man Winter is a heady brew that encourages sipping and pondering its essential richness (7.2% ABV; 12oz; $4).
Sunday, December 11: Rogue Santa's Private Reserve (Oregon)
Rogue’s annual holiday offering, Santa’s Private Reserve, is a variation of the classic Saint Rogue Red, but with double the hops--including Chinook, and Centennial, and a mystery hop called Rudolph by head brewer John "more hops" Maier! This holiday elixir is brewed with two-row Harrington, Klages and Munich malts, along with Hugh Baird 30-37, Carastan 13-17, and Crystal 70-80 malts, plus free range coastal water and proprietary top-fermenting Pacman yeast (6% ABV; 12oz; $5).
Monday, December 12: Samuel Smith Winter Welcome (England)
Honey-amber colored, creamy head of bubbles, floral aroma and delicious malt flavor with great finesse (6% ABV; 12oz; $6.50).
Tuesday, December 13: Corsendonk Christmas Ale (Belgium)
On the palate this silky smooth ale is predominantly malty, with smoky, spicy and citrusy notes, and a long, lingering finish that is lightly tart and malty (8% ABV; 11oz; $7.50).
Wednesday, December 14: Delirium Noel (Belgium)
Delirium Noel Seasonal Ale- A little pink elephant told me that Santa likes a glass of this way better than milk and cookies. Better not disappoint him! Delirium Noel is a seasonally offered medium-bodied strong Belgian Dark Ale with clear copper coloring and sweet, bready notes, with just a hint of spice. Just like its siblings, Delirium Noel brings a little heat to the palate as well with tastily high alcohol content (10% ABV; 12oz; $8).
Thursday, December 15: Samichlaus Beer (Austria)
Samichlaus Beer is the strongest lager beer in the world and also known as "Santa Claus Beer". Samichlaus Beer is brewed only once a year on December 6 and aged for 10 months before bottling. This beer is perhaps the rarest in the world. Samichlaus may be aged for many years to come. Older vintages become more complex with a creamy warming finish. Serve with hardy robust dishes and desserts, particulary with chocolates, or as an after dinner drink by itself (14% ABV; 12oz; $8.50).
Friday, December 16: Troeg's Mad Elf Ale (Harrisburg, PA)
The combination of Cherries, Honey, and Chocolate Malts delivers gentle fruits and subtle spices. Fermented and aged with a unique yeast, this ruby red beer has significant warming strength that underlies the character of this Ale (11% ABV; 12oz; $5.50).
Saturday, December 17: St. Bernardus Christmas (Belgium)
St. Bernardus Christmas Ale is the youngest descendant in the illustrious family of delicious Abbey Ales by Brewery St. Bernardus. This specialty beer of 10% alc. vol. is characterized by its deep dark color, with a creamy, thick head and a full, almost velvety taste with a fruity nose. It's a seasonal ale, brewed annually for the holiday season. The long winter nights are perfect moments to savor this ale and to enjoy its unique, complex taste and after-taste (10% ABV; 25oz; $16.50).