Either chock-full of rich, dark nutty flavors or fruity lighter malts with hops for days. And since calories aren’t a thing we think about during the holidays – it’s the best time to indulge in delicious seasonal beer with a perfect food pairing. Here's a list of seasonal beers to look for at our local breweries and brewpubs around Austin.
Contributed by Maddox Price
All “A Christmas Story” puns aside, Yule Shoot Your Eye Out is one spiced ale not to pass up. The herbed winter brew is spiked with ginger, cocoa nibs, orange peel, cardamom, allspice, nutmeg, and cinnamon. So basically it’s a holiday dinner in your mouth.
EAT WITH: Chocolate cake, smoked meats
This multi-hopped beer, according to its website, is a rich, copper-colored, hearty ale perfect for the holiday season with a malty sweetness and spicy hop character. Now that weather has finally cooled down, Saint Arnold’s Christmas Ale is a go-to robust brew perfect those Netflix and chill evenings.
EAT WITH: Giant pretzels. blue cheese, turkey and dressing
Though technically intended for the springtime, Wit has enough zesty hints of grapefruit to make it perfect for a chilly winters day. This Belgian-style beer is seasoned with cracked coriander and is an ideal choice of refreshment for a beautiful, low-temperature day relaxing outside.
EAT WITH: Something fresh off the backyard grill
Love Street is good year-round, which is one of the reasons it's a fantastic session beer. We're big fans of Karbach in general, but Love Street might just be our favorite of their offerings.
EAT WITH: Chili, nachos, hotdogs
Holy ABV content. Austin Beerworks’ first seasonal brew Battle Axe drops in at a hearty 8.8% ABV. This imperial red ale walks a fine line between its English malts and American hops. The caramelized sweetness rests behind a bouquet of citrus tones. OK, so the Lotion In the Basket brew isn’t technically a seasonal beer, but it’s good all the same. It’s a zwickelbier exclusive unfiltered pilsner dry hopped with Hallertauer Blanc. And it's got a fun name – although it tastes more like a flower in a basket than lotion. Bravo Austin Beerworks.
EAT WITH: aged/hard cheese, fried foods, burgers
Company Lucky for us Live Oak Brewing Company has monthly releases. Primus is a November staple a favorite for rich, full-bodied beer drinkers. The creamy concoction has a banana aroma with hints of spice and bready malts. It’s a weizenbock so expect the bold dark fruit flavor and thickness.
EAT WITH: Chocolate, nuts, caramel
According to the tasting notes on Thirsty Planet’s website, this late winter release is, “smoky and meaty, light sweetness, BBQ in a glass.” That’s the American dream in a glass. A smoked porter mixes the two things Texans love the most – beer and barbecue. If drinkable meat isn’t your thing Thirsty Planet has a hearty list of seasonal releases.
EAT WITH: Pulled pork, brisket, ribs
Coffee and booze is never not a good thing and Real Ale nailed it with this porter. Brewed with Houston’s own Katz Coffee, this American porter delivers a smooth chocolate aroma with a dry finish.
EAT WITH: Bacon, oysters, vanilla ice cream
According to the Jester King’s website Black Metal Imperial stout carries a hint of leather. Beer doesn’t get any more metal than that. The burnt malts and chocolate power dominate this beer’s aggressive aroma. Speaking of aggressive – Black Metal’s ABV count comes in at a hand-banging 10%. The beer is being released draught only and champagne-style bottles.
EAT WITH: Blood-soaked rare steak, tiramisu
Whiskey Barrel Aged Double Pecan Porter – (512) Brewing
Liquefied pecan pie in glass – maybe that best describes the Whiskey Barrel Aged Double Pecan Porter. Made with organic Texas pecans this rich and decadent porter is a beer snob favorite.
EAT WITH: Vanilla ice cream, oysters
Señor Viejo is a Tex-Mex Imperial Black Lager. “The old one” is a take on a classic German Schwarzbier. But what makes this lager so unusual is its tequila barrel-age subtle hints. This savory smooth beer is perfect spice without the heat – unless that’s what you’re looking for. In that case, just knock down a few of these and you’ll get toasty real fast.
EAT WITH: Tres leeches, steak fajitas
This 2012 World Beer Cup Gold Medal winning Altbier is on the lighter side with notes of caramel and toffee sweetness. Alt-eration was recently moved from a year-round brew to seasonal release from October to January making it an exclusive must-have.
EAT WITH: Grilled salmon, almond cake
This American amber is an Independence brewery fall special debuting just in time for the Red River Shootout. Oklahoma Suks but this beer doesn’t. The pecan flavor and refreshing taste make this beer a much better tailgate option than the obligatory Bud Light.
EAT WITH: Barbecue, bratwurst, the charbroiled hearts of Oklahoma fans
OK, so this isn’t a beer – and it's not actually seasonal -- but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t have a place in this list. And it doesn’t mean it can’t be enjoyed during the fall or winter. Drop some cinnamon whiskey in a class and skip Grandma’s Thanksgiving apple pie.
EAT WITH: Grilled cheese, pumpkin pie, turkey leg
666 is a specially brewed batch from their own Kamala brewing. It’s a sour dark saison brewed with 6 malts, 6 hops and 6 yeasts. The sour snitch hits hard but there is nothing sinister about this brew. It’s actually quite heavenly. They won’t be brewing this again so get it before it’s gone.
EAT WITH: Whip In’s white bean masala, anything spicy
Holiday Cheer – Shiner
This wouldn’t be a proper seasonal beer list without Shiner’s Cheer. This dunkelweizen brew mixes all the best winter flavors – like a pie in drink form – with all the alcohol. What’s not to like? The robust peachy flavors dominate the subtle pecan undertones – and that’s not a bad thing. Cheer is a light and refreshing beer – so pace it.
EAT WITH: lobster, cured meats, poultry
To help find these delicious brews, check our lists of local breweries & brewpubs in Austin!
