10 Pennsylvania holiday beers to warm you up this season
Micaela HoodCozy up to the fire, hang up the mistletoe and unwrap these Pennsylvania brewed beers this holiday season.
Below are 10 craft beers available at a Pennsylvania brewery and for purchase online.
Wanderlust Chocolate Porter, Barley Creek Brewing Company
Cozy up to the Pocono-based brewery’s seasonal highlights. This dark brown beer will warm you up (4.9% ABV) with its hints of roasted coffee, notes of smoke and the taste of chocolate.
Info: 1774 Sullivan Trail, Tannersville, 570-629-9399, Barleycreek.com
More:It's pumpkin beer season. Try these ales and other seasonal sippers
Stegmaier Winter Warmer, The Lion Brewery
Traditionally known as Old World Ale, this beer (7.9% ABV) boasts a brilliant reddish-hue, a full body and features a robust, malty, sweet and fruity aroma.
A little on the sweet side, it’s brewed using pale malts along with high amounts of caramel, perfect for those frosty nights.
Info: 700 N Pennsylvania Ave., Wilkes-Barre, 570-823-8801, lionbrewery.com
Christmas Cheer, Whitehorse Brewing
Deck the halls and spread holiday joy with this amber ale brewed with cinnamon with the addition of marshmallow, and conditioned on orange purée (6.9% ABV).
Info: 400 Adios Drive, Berlin, 724-416-3014, whbrewing.com
Long Jawns, Yards Brewing Company
Get in your coziest clothes and pour yourself a glass of this dark beer (6.0% ABV) featuring dark Munich and carafa II malts and a chocolatey taste. Also features hints of nutmeg and cinnamon.
Info: 500 Spring Garden St., Philadelphia, 215-525-0175, yardsbrewing.com
Mad Elf: Grand Cru, Tröegs
Christmas wouldn’t be the same without Mad Elf’s Grand Cru (11% ABV) otherwise known as the "director's cut" of Tröegs' holiday staple beer.
It's made with sour tart Balaton cherries with notes of brown sugar, cinnamon, clove and peppercorn.
Info: 200 Hershey Park Drive, Hershey, 717- 534-1297, troegs.com
St. Nikolaus Bock, Penn Brewery
Forget milk: Santa may prefer this malty lager that pours a dark ruby color and is known to be strong and rich (9% ABV) with a chocolate aftertaste.
This popular concoction has won numerous awards including the silver medal from the 2011 Great American Beer Festival.
Info: 800 Vinial St., Pittsburgh, 412-237-9400, pennbrew.com
Grinch Feet, Columbia Kettle Works
Even the meanest Grinch would approve of this holiday ale (8.4% ABV), which sports a reddish hue and is brewed with oats and boiled with blackstrap molasses. The end result: notes of fresh cherries, vanilla bean, and a touch of cinnamon.
Info: 40 N. 3rd St., Columbia 717- 342-2374, facebook.com/CKWPA
Santa! I Know Him!, Evil Genius Beer Company
This holiday Saison is brewed with rose hips, chamomile, black currants and dark candy syrup.
According to the brewery, this Belgian-style beer (7.2% ABV) also packs a punch and is known among staff as the "one who broke dad's leg lamp."
Info: 1727 N. Front St., Philadelphia, 215-425-6820, evilgeniusbeer.com
Special Cookie, Free Will Brewing
Leave Santa a different kind of carb with this imperial ale that is full of flavor and brewed with vanilla, cinnamon, brown sugar, cardamom, ginger and milk sugar.
Info: 410 East Walnut St., Perkasie, 267-354-0813, freewillbrewing.com
Of interest:Cheers! 10 Pennsylvania holiday craft beers to try on New Year’s Eve
Hoppy the Elf's Peppermint Porter, Wallenpaupack Brew Co.
Santa's helpers at the Hawley-based brewery created this American porter (6.4% ABV) with roast chocolate malts and candy canes, which tastes similar to a box of thin mint cookies.
Info: 73 Welwood Avenue, Hawley, 570-390-7933,wallenpaupackbrewingco.com
Micaela Hood is a features reporter with the Pocono Record and the USA TODAY Mid-Atlantic Region features team. Reach her at mhood@poconorecord.com.