Bon Appétit
What’s
BREWING
for the holidays
Seasonal beers
bring you home
and keep you
here for a while
Story by Steve Orbanek
Contributing writer
One added benefit of the holiday
season is the fact that it’s also one
of the best times of the year for
beer. Who doesn’t love a little Great
Lakes Christmas Ale, right?
However, the holidays are a great
time to enjoy beers of all styles.
While many may not realize it, Erie
actually has produced a number of
award-winning beers. Erie Brewing
Company, Lavery Brewing Company and Voodoo Brewery have all
won awards at the Great American
Beer Festival, the most prestigious
craft beer competition in the United
States.
Here are three local seasonal beers
as well as three award-winning
beers to enjoy with your loved ones
during the holidays. Can’t-miss
award winners:
Voodoo Brewery’s
Big Black Voodoo Daddy
ABV: 12.5 percent
IBU: 74
Untappd score: 4.021 /5
In 2013, Voodoo won a silver medal in the
aged beer category for its 2009 version of Big
Black Voodoo Daddy. So technically, it would
be impossible to enjoy the exact version of this
award winner, but trust me, the current version
is great as well. This imperial stout is the perfect
beer to keep you warm through the holidays.
Erie Brewing Company’s
Railbender Ale
ABV: 6.8 percent
IBU: 26
Untappd score: 3.485 /5
Are you really from Erie if you have not had
a Railbender? This regional staple has actually
placed twice at the Great American Beer Festival,
earning a bronze medal in the Scottish-Style Ale
category in 2008 and then following it up with a
gold medal in 2009. Railbender is good at all times,
so of course, it’s perfect for the happiest time of
the year.
Lavery Brewing Company’s
Liopard Oir
ABV: 4.5 percent
IBU: 30
Untappd score: 3.508 /5
For those in need of something a little lighter,
you cannot go wrong with Lavery’s Liopard
Oir. The beer earned a gold medal in 2013 in the
French & Belgian-Style Saison category, and
it’s easy to see why. It goes down easy, but is
pleasantly sour as well.
LOCAL HOLIDAY
BEERS TO TRY:
Lavery Brewing Company’s
“Devil Bird” Holiday Ale
ABV: 8.5 percent
IBU: 44
Untappd score: 3.877 /5
For seasonal imperial porters, it’s hard
to beat Lavery’s “Devil Bird.” It’s made
with pale, chocolate, crystal, Munich and
brown malts and aged in bourbon barrels, which is just part of what makes it so
tasty. It’s rich but also has a smoky finish.
The key will be getting it while it lasts, as
its release is always limited, and the beer
does not tend to last very long.
The Brewerie at Union Station’s
Christmas Brown Ale w/ Maple Syrup
ABV: 5.9 percent
IBU: N/A
Untappd score: 3.503 /5
Everyone loves Cousin Eddie from
“National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation,” and while this beer was made in his
honor, its real name can’t be printed here.
It’s a great brown ale with a nice hint of
maple flavor. It’s not overpowering but
still offers a sweet aftertaste.
Southern Tier Brewing Company’s
Krampus
ABV: 9 percent
IBU: 70
Untappd score: 3.634 /5
This imperial helles lager is rich and
malty, yet it also boasts a hoppy finish.
It’s certainly unique, which is appropriate
considering that it’s named after a mythical, folklore monster. Like Lavery’s “Devil
Bird,” it’s always a very limited release, so
be sure to get it while you can.
>>
D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 6 / / L A K E E R I E L I F E S T Y L E | 27