Jingle Brews

Ales aimed to please for the holidays

By Ray Downs

The holiday season is upon us, and you know what that means: We're headed for a barrage of holiday commercials, decorations and carols celebrating the month that calls for us to buy, buy, buy and buy some more. But hey, at least we can still drink, right? And for those of us who would prefer not to trade in their toasted lagers for spiked eggnog and hot toddies, beer companies are bringing us cheer in the form of specially labeled bottles of holiday goodness. I made a sacrifice and drank a few so that you would know which ones you should drink, too. In looking for holiday beers, the first place I went to was Trader Joe's for a bottle of their annual Vintage Ale. Made by the beer geniuses at Unibroue, the Quebec-based company that has made the world brighter with beers like La Fin du Monde and Trois Pistoles, each tricking you into feeling like you actually learned something in that French class you took in college.

The 2011 Trader Joe's ale is a dark, Belgian-style brew with a sweet, almost chocolatey finish. The flavor of the beer is inundated with spices-but it's not confusing. The chocolate, caramel and spices mesh well, giving it a refreshing and tasty bite on a cold winter's eve. At only $4.99 for a 750ml bottle, it's the perfect way to save this holiday season.

If you're a real beer drinker and don't want the tainted essence of Christmas coming anywhere near your favorite lager, Sierra Nevada's "Celebration" IPA is a luscious hop-fest that doesn't overwhelm, but doesn't come across as too weak, either. People who would eat raw hops if it was socially acceptable won't be disappointed, though hop-haters should perhaps stay away. All in all, this "Celebration" is a good IPA that is worth its price of $1.99 a bottle or $8.99 a six-pack at Whole Foods.

The hands-down winner of the best holiday-edition beer is the St. Bernardus Christmas Ale from Belgium. This brew is a strong, dark Belgian Abbey ale that, like the TJ's ale, has a malty, brown sugar taste. The brew goes down smooth with its light carbonation and the aftertaste is your usual blend of Belgian fruits and spices. It's good-really good. But it's expensive: $11.99 for a 750ml bottle at Whole Foods.

If you're in the 99 percent, I recommend TJ's Vintage. And if you're in or pretend to be in the 1 percent-grab the St. Bernardus.