It’s the time of the year to gather with your friends and family and have a nice ale by the fire. Stillwater’s O’Brien’s Wine and Spirits offers an array of festive beers to spice up the holiday season, and manager Matthew Watkins has some great recommendations.
Festive Beers
- Great Lakes Christmas Ale: A six-time award winner with notes of ginger, cinnamon and sweet honey
- Bell’s Brewery Christmas Ale: A traditional Scotch ale with notes of caramel
- Prairie Seasick Crocodile: A sour ale with notes of cranberry, ginger, cinnamon and nutmeg “[It’s] a fun one—it has a Christmas vibe to the can with a crocodile eating an ugly sweater. It’s a sour beer and has that cinnamon taste, perfect for the holidays,” Watkins says.
- Pryes Brewing Company Blood Orange Miraculum: An IPA infused with blood oranges
If eggnog is more to your taste, Watkins recommends the best-selling Pennsylvania Dutch Hard Eggnog, the “grown-up” version of eggnog, featuring notes of nutmeg and cinnamon.
On top of the fun festive beers, Watkins is also giving an opportunity for customers to try the yummy ales. “I started up a whole bunch of things here like tasting on Fridays and Saturdays after 3 p.m. until closing, [including] a beer and wine club, raffles and exclusive items,” he says.
O’Brien’s Wine and Spirits, 118 Chestnut St. E., Stillwater; 651.439.7595; obriensliquorstore.com
