So long 2009! Another great year, filled with trips and opportunities. Mahar’s again offered their Christmas special that is referred to as the Advent Shebeen. A list of the 2009 Advent Shebeen included:
Day 1: Gayant St. Landelin – A spiced French ale that was a great start for the season.
Day 2: Anchor Christmas Ale – A steady standard that is generally available. Usually considered “Twiggy”, I prefer it on tap.
Day 3: St. Feullien Cuvee Noel – A Belgian Christmas beer that is flavored with spices (surprise, surprise).
Day 4: Goose Island Christmas Ale – 22 ozs of a Christmas version of their Honker ale.
Day 5: Corsendonk Christmas Ale – The Belgian classic that has come to be THE beer on the tour. The beer was first seen in September this year.
Day 6: Mass Bay Harpoon Chocolate Stout – Local beer in a small bottle. OK in taste but not worthy of the Advent.
Day 7: De Smedt Affligem Noel – A 22oz Belgian ale that has become an appreciated regular in the Holiday lineup.
Day 8: Ayinger Weizen-Bock – A German Christmas beer, it had more flavor than just spice. A beer to make us Lutherans proud!
Day 9: Het Anker Gouden Carolus Noel – A Belgian Christmas Ale that is one of my favorites. Went from the big to the small bottle this year.
Day 10: St. Peter’s Winter Ale – Classic English ale in the peculiar bottle. Perfect for this year and my trips to the UK.
Day 11: Oppigards Winter Ale – A Christmas beer back from Sweden.
Day 12: Hook Norton 12 Days – I got to try the Old Hooky on cask in England, the 12 Days is almost as nice.
Day 13: De La Senne X-mas Zinnebir – A unique Belgian Christmas beer in a tiny bottle. Great for sipping.
Day 14: Ridgeway Pickled Santa - The first beer of several Christmas beers from Ridgeway in England.
Day 15: De Struis Tsjeeses – Belgian beer that has a bug-eyed elf on the bottle.
Day 16: Ridgeway Warm Welcome – A moderate alcohol level brown ale. Very nice!
Day 17: Troeg’s Mad Elf – A Belgian Brown Ale brewed with honey and cherries, weighing in at 11.2% ABV.
Day 18: Ridgeway Insanely Bad Elf – A barley wine from the Christmas beer champion.
Day 19: Nogne O Winter Ale – A Norwegian Christmas beer from one of my new favorite European breweries.
Day 20: Ridgeway Santa’s Butt – Formerly known as nut warmer, you need to see the label to know it’s the same thing.
Day 21: Rogue Santa’s Reserve – Rogue’s Christmas beer. Not too hoppy, not too spicy, and definitely quaffable.
Day 22: Samuel Smith Winter’s Welcome – The label this year showed a man a motorcycle.
Day 23: Ommegang Adoration- Great name for a Christmas Belgian spiced ale. My favorite Advent beer this year!
Day 24: Ridgeway Rudolph’s Revolt – The fifth Christmas beer from Ridgeway.
I was the first person to sign up this year, which could be the last Advent from Mahar’s. The beers are coming out so early that Jim doesn’t want to hold them for the event since folks complain about not having them. Distributor’s back out on promises. Probably switch to the 12 days of Christmas next year, which would be okay by me.
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. – 5348
"Beer, if drunk in moderation, softens the tongue, cheers the spirit, and promotes health." – Thomas Jefferson
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