Bye Bye 2008!

Say good-bye to 2008! It has been a challenging (my introduction to being a manager) and rewarding (Phillies winning the World Series) year for me. Mahar’s again offered their Christmas special that is referred to as the Advent Shebeen. A list of the 2008 Advent Shebeen included:

Day 1: Bush Scaldis Ale – A sweet, Belgian ale that comes in at 12% ABV. A great beer to kickoff the Shebeen.
Day 2: Lefthand Snowbound – A beer aptly named for being from Colorado.
Day 3: Samuel Smith Winter’s Welcome – The label this year showed a a man fishing on a snowy shore.
Day 4: Corsendonk Christmas Ale – The Belgian classic that has come to be THE beer on the tour.
Day 5: Anchor Christmas Ale – A steady standard that is generally available out other beer bars. It’s nicer on tap.
Day 6: Eggenberger Samichlaus Advent Pale – The Austrian brewer picked up the Swiss brand, and then offered their own twist.
Day 7: De Smedt Affligem Noel – A 22oz Belgian ale that has become an appreciated regular in the Holiday lineup.
Day 8: Troeg’s Mad Elf – A Belgian Brown Ale brewed with honey and cherries.
Day 9: Huyghe Delerium Noel – Josh’s favorite, and needs to be set aside to protect it for the paying customers.
Day 10: Rogue Santa’s Reserve – Rogue’s Christmas beer. Not too hoppy, not too spicy, and definitely quaffable.
Day 11: Wychwood Bah Humbug – An English Brown Ale that is mellow and not over-spiced.
Day 12: St. Feullien Noel – A Belgian Christmas beer that is flavored with spices.
Day 13: Harvey’s Christmas Ale – A English Christmas ale that is a standard in the Shebeen.
Day 14: Het Anker Gouden Carolus Noel – A Belgian Christmas Ale that is one of my favorites.
Day 15: Olfabrikken Kloster Jul – A new Christmas beer from Denmark..
Day 16: Ridgeway Criminally Bad Elf – A brewery that is notorious for MANY Christmas beers.
Day 17: De Struis Tsjeeses – Belgian beer that has a bug-eyed elf on the bottle.
Day 18: Oppigards Winter Ale – A new Christmas beer from Sweden.
Day 19: Nogne O Peculiar Yule – A Norwegian Christmas beer from my new favorite European brewery.
Day 20: Des Legendes Noel Des Geants – A return to the Shebeen of this well balanced Begian Christmas ale.
Day 21: Amager Julebryg – Another fine example of a Danish ale.
Day 22: Mahr’s Christmas Bock – German Christmas beer seems a natural, but is really more rare than you would think.
Day 23: Thiriez Biere De Noel – A French Christmas Ale that continues the round the world theme.
Day 24: Sogaards Bryghus Aalborg Julebok –A Danish Christmas beer that is more of a doublebock than an ale.
Day 25 (I love bonus beer) - De Proef Kerstmuske Christmas Nightcap – Nice title to end the Shebeen with, a night cap.

Wow, we really did go through an international set of brews this year. I would definitely have to say this was the most impressive Shebeen that we’ve had in a long time. Mahar thought that the beer from Rogue was the weak link in the tour, but since Jenn and I had made Rogue such an important part of our trip to Oregon, I was thrilled that it was included.

The Advent Shebeen is an early Christmas gift to myself, and it’s the gift that keeps giving both before and after the Christmas season. Here’s a belated Merry Christmas who has taken the time to check in with me this past year. – 4991

"Beer shouldn’t be just four percent alcohol and a bunch of carbonation. It should have depth and a lot of character." – Adam Avery (Founder of Avery Brewing)