It’s the most wonderful time of the year—especially for lovers of rich dark beer selections. After the summer months—often filled with hoppy IPAs and light lagers—dark beer lovers rejoice at the return of holiday beers filled with rich and warming seasonal flavors.
Buddy’s Spaghetti Breakfast, Crooked Hammock Brewery
6.25% sour with maple syrup, blueberry, wild berry Pop Tarts, whole grain spaghetti
The way A Christmas Story defined a generation, Elf will arguably go down in history as a generational classic. Crooked Hammock Brewery drew inspiration from this fun-loving Christmas film for its annual Holidays at the Hammock menu, starting with the Buddy’s Spaghetti Breakfast sour. The mash includes whole grain spaghetti and wild berry Pop Tarts. Blueberry and maple are added during the fermentation process for a well-rounded (and mouthwatering) sour ale. Pair this beer with Buddy’s Spaghetti Dessert—featuring funnel cake fries, mini marshmallows, and chocolate syrup accompanied by other fun toppings.
(For an added bonus, 100% of profits from both the dessert and the beer go to the Make-A-Wish foundation!)
Jingle Berry, Crooked Hammock Brewery
6.5% fruited sour
With lactose, berries and holiday cheer, Jingle Berry is the perfect holiday beer to sip at Crooked Hammock. Raspberry, blueberry, boysenberry and strawberry make up this festive flavor combination.
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Noelle’s Noel, Twisted Irons Craft Brewing Co.
81.% Belgian Dubbel
Take a Belgian Dubbel and add holiday spices…sounds delicious, right? Twisted Irons did just that to produce Noelle’s Noel. With bitter orange peel, nutmeg and spicy Belgian yeast, this holiday beer is an ideal winter warmer. It is slightly malty with notes of fig and plum. Enjoy the subtlety of the malts, hops, spices and yeast as you lean into holiday festivities.
S’Mores Stout, Dewey Beer Company
13% Imperial Stout
Brewed with over 30 pounds of graham crackers and four different types of chocolate malts, this s’mores stout packs a serious punch. At 13% ABV, with layers of rich and sweet chocolatey flavors, this is the ideal holiday beer to enjoy with dessert after Christmas dinner.
Fontaine Noêl, Wilmington Brew Works
6% Amber Abbey Ale
This holiday beer is perfect for the season and finished with the light spice of cinnamon and orange peel. An Amber Abbey Ale transforms into the perfect beer for the holidays. With notes like a blend of breads and malt, hints of banana and warm cinnamon and orange peel spices, it’s a perfect winter warmer to sip by the fire.
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Sticky Toffee Pudding, Crooked Hammock Brewery
6.4% brown ale with caramel, toffee and vanilla
British dessert plus British beer? Perfect combination! This beer (inspired by TV Chef Gordon Ramsey) is a sticky toffee-inspired twist on Crooked Hammock’s How Now Cinnamon Brown. Dosed with rich toffee and a dash of smooth vanilla, this beer drinks more like a dessert beer than a traditional brown ale.
Dark & Cinn-ful, Liquid Alchemy Beverages
6.6% hard apple cider
Cider is a craft option growing in popularity, especially for those with gluten intolerances or sensitivities. Liquid Alchemy’s Dark & Cinn-ful cider is apple pie in a glass (or growler) with notes of caramel apple, cinnamon and vanilla. For lovers of dark beer flavors who steer away from drinking much beer, this is a great alternative.
“Caked” Caramel Apple Cheesecake, Big Oyster Brewery
7% smoothie/pastry sour
Speaking of caramel apple notes, this sour from Big Oyster is filled with them. The subtly sweet, tart and tasty beer is perfect for the transition between fall and winter. The flavors of a crunchy caramel apple are married with rich creamy cheesecake for a scrumptious beer to bring to your holiday parties.
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Related: 6 Can’t-Miss Holiday Happenings at the Delaware Beaches
