To help holiday shoppers navigate the beer aisle this season, the beer experts at Lincolnwood, Ill.-based Louis Glunz Beer, Inc., the city’s award-winning and oldest beer distributor, today released their annual “Twelve Beers of Christmas” list. Their recommendations are based on a sampling, led by Glunz Beer’s in-house brew master, Ed Kane, of the dozens of limited edition seasonal beers just released with some already nearing a sell-out.
“Chicago beer-lovers have many reasons to celebrate this season and we’re excited to see more and more U.S. craft brewers following in the time-honored tradition of the European breweries by offering Christmas Ales along with sampler gift packs that include custom glassware,” said Kane. “This list is based on the quality and value for the drinking experience among the wide variety of this year’s seasonal beers, but we encourage people to explore for themselves and to learn more by visiting our website which is designed to educate both retailers and consumers,” he explained. The prices listed for Glunz Beer’s picks of the best beers for holiday cheers are suggested retail.
Anchor Christmas Ale - $12.99, 6-pack
Anchor Brewing Co. in California offers a different recipe for its Christmas Ale every year, available from early November through mid-January, and featuring a different tree on the collectible label to symbolize the newness of life. Food pairing: Pumpkin Pie.
Capital Winter Skal - $8.99, 6-pack
Capital Brewery in Wisconsin offers its Winter Skal from November through January. An amber hued lager with a great depth of specialty malt character and smooth hop flavors. Food pairing: Bacon-Wrapped Water Chestnuts in Savory Brown Sugar and Catsup Sauce.
Chimay Grand Reserve Magnum - $32.95, 50 oz. bottle
Chimay Brewery in Belgium offers Chimay Blue, first launched by the Trappist monks in the Abbey of Scourment as a Christmas Beer, this strong-character brown ale style-beer has a deep rich flavor that improves with time. Food pairing: Peppercorn Steak.
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Louis Glunz Beer, Inc. Presents Annual “Twelve Beers of Christmas” List – page 2 of 2
Chouffe N’ice - $12.99, 25.4 oz. bottle
Brasserie d’Achouffe in Belgium offers a vintage, dated barley wine with a rich malty taste, spicy (thyme) and fruity (dried grapes) aroma and a complex vinous fruity palate complimented by malt overtones. Food pairing: Crackers Topped with Cream Cheese and Raspberry Chipotle.
Corsendonk Christmas Ale - $9.99, 750ml bottle; $21.99, 4-pack, 11.2 oz. bottles
Corsendonk Brewery in Belgium offers a rich, dark spiced ale with an aroma of chocolate malt and spices reminiscent of holiday baking in Mom’s kitchen. Food pairing: Chili.
De Koninck Winter Ale - $8.99-$9.99, 750ml bottle
Brouwerij De Koninck in Belgium releases their seasonal brew at the onset of winter in a limited production. A ruby red and top fermented spiced ale-style beer with a creamy head, served in a special stemmed glass. Food pairing: Mild Italian or Venison Summer Sausage.
Delirium Noël – $12.99, 4-pack; $10.99, 750ml bottle
Huyghe-Melle Brewery in Belgium offers a strong, dark and very complex ale with an earthy, spicy aroma and a hint of hops that become more pronounced as the beer warms. Food pairing: Cream Soup.
Gouden Carolus Noël - $12.99, 750ml bottle; $19.99, 4-pack, 11.2 oz. bottles
Brouwerij Het Anker in Belgium, established in 1369, offers a special Belgian Ale with a warm, coppery color and a rich bouquet that improves with age, brewed using traditional methods and a recipe with top fermentation. Food pairing: Veal Marsala.
Gulden Draak Vintage - $15.99, 750ml bottle
Brewery Van Steenberge in Belgium offers a full-bodied dark barley-wine style beer with a unique taste, brewed only from September through the end of November. Food pairing: Chocolate Cake.
Petrus Winter - $19.99, 25.4 oz. bottle
Bavik Brewery in Belgium offers a full-bodied caramel-red beer of high fermentation with a soft aroma, only brewed throughout the month of November. Food pairing: Apple Crisp.
Samichlaus Bier® - $19.99, 750ml bottle; $29.99, 4-pack, 11.2 oz. bottles
Schloss Eggenberg Brewery in Austria brews Samichlaus only once a year on December 6, the day of St. Nicholas, and then ages it 10 months before bottling. A rare beer specialty and at 14% ABV, the strongest bottom-fermented beer in the world. Food Pairing: Teriyaki Steak.
Southern Tier Old Man Winter - $10.00, 6-pack
Southern Tier Brewing Co in New York offers a limited edition winter seasonal described as a rich and complex amalgam of hops and barley that grows wiser with age. Food pairing: Baby Greens Topped with Red Onion and Blue Cheese and Dressed with Balsamic Vinaigrette.
Glunz Beer’s website, www.glunzbeers.com offers shoppers a further assist with a new “Find it near me” zip code search that lists nearby retailers and includes product descriptions and food pairings for most of the 665 different micro, import and specialty beers in its extensive portfolio.
About Louis Glunz Beer, Inc. - Founded in 1888 by Louis Glunz I in Chicago, Louis Glunz Beer, Inc. is among the oldest beer distributors in the United States and the recipient of the 2007 "Craft Beer Distributor Achievement Award" from the National Beer Wholesalers Association and the Brewers Association for promoting craft beer and making consumer choice a top priority. The 120-year-old company is family-owned and operated by president, Jack Glunz, the grandson of Louis Glunz I, with day-to-day operations led by five of his and his late wife Patricia''s seven children as members of the fourth generation. The first member of the fifth generation has also joined the staff, with other members working during school breaks. Louis Glunz Beer, Inc. features an extensive portfolio of 665 micro, specialty and import beers from 67 suppliers representing 152 breweries worldwide, and is the premier distributor to restaurants, bars, liquor and grocery stores in Chicagoland. The company is dedicated to quality service and to educating its customers and the public about beer tastes and trends.
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