The 12 Beers of Christmas

Children all over New Jersey are counting down the days until school is out for winter break and holiday gifts are exchanged—but they're not the only lucky ones this season. Along with the onset of cold weather comes an annual tradition that brew masters and beer drinkers alike look forward to all year long: the release of limited-edition, winter and Christmas microbrews.

Available from November through January, 2009's winter beer selections showcase a wide variety of hues, styles and tastes. Whether you're looking to pair a beer with a robust, slow-cooked meal, enjoy the perfect beverage after a frosty game of touch-football, or an alcoholic alternative to an after-dinner cordial in front of a roaring fire, America's top craft breweries have prepared a unique line-up of celebratory beverages to fit your every mood.

"Most holiday beers are spiced with nutmeg, cinnamon, coriander, and hints of orange or are heavily malted, which makes the beer 'drink' warm," commented Brant Krihak, beer manager of Springfield'sWine Library. "Porters and stouts are also favorites this time of year because of the thickness of the beers and the deep, heavy flavors of coffee, caramel and mocha. You really only see these kinds of beer this time of year because during the summer you generally want something lighter and crisper."

There are a multitude of winter beer options available, and most are from independent beer makers—some right here in New Jersey. Many holiday brews are rich in tradition and heritage, either released with exactly the same recipe or with new recipes every year. With that in mind, here are 12 excellent ways to celebrate the season:

Holiday Beers with a Bite:

12. Long Trail's Brewmaster Series Winter White. This cloudy, light straw-colored Belgian-style witbier from Vermont has notes of sweet orange, bitter orange, and coriander and a skunky but not off-putting nose. 7.2 percent alcohol by volume (abv), available in a 22-ounce bottle.

11. Saranac Rye IPA. This brand-new addition to the Utica, N.Y.-based line is an Imperial pale ale with a rye-malt twist. Amber-colored and crisp in the mouth. 5.6 percent abv.

10. Long Trail Hibernator. First introduced to the market in 1995, this hoppy, malty brew from Vermont has a bite to its finish. 6 percent abv.

9. Sierra Nevada Brewing Company's Celebration Ale. Deemed a classic holiday beer by many aficionados, this tangy ale has orange and floral notes with a crisp, clean feel to it. Brewed in Chico, Calif., Celebration is a cross between an IPA and a pale ale. 6.8 percent abv.

Holly Jolly Reds:

8. Saranac Winter Lager. This German-style beer has a reddish/amber color and a malty aftertaste. Just introduced this year by the Utica, N.Y., brewer, the Winter Lager is an easy-to-drink beer with subtle flavors. 5.9 percent abv.

7. The Mad Elf Ale. This "Dr. Pepper-in-a-bottle" beer by Troegs Brewing Company in Pennsylvania comes on strong with blasts of honey and cherries and a slight chocolately undertone. Ruby red in color, the ale both tastes and smells like a Yankee Christmas candle and packs a wallop at 11 percent abv.

Dark Holiday Beers:

6. Saranac Black Lager. New for 2009, this German-style Schwarzbier out of Utica, N.Y., has surprisingly downplayed flavors of coffee and chocolate. Those who like darker beers without needing a fork and knife to drink them will appreciate this newcomer. 5.5 percent abv.

5. Harpoon's Winter Warmer. Brewed in Massachusetts, this rich, dark brown beer combines caramel, nutmeg and cinnamon with a great toasty nut finish. Reminiscent of but not overpoweringly like pumpkin pie, it was Harpoon's first seasonal beer to be released in 1988. 5.9 percent abv.

4. Anchor Brewing Company's Christmas Ale 2009. This San Francisco beer is very dark, almost black, in color, slightly chocolately in taste, and strongly scented with licorice. Not as thick in texture as other dark beers, this year's Christmas Ale is the brewer's 33rd edition. Since Anchor began releasing its Christmas Ale in 1975, each vintage has featured a top-secret, unique recipe and a different label picturing a different tree. If stored properly in a cold refrigerator, the Christmas Ale—unlike most beers—can be aged for years like wine. 5.5 percent abv.

3. Sea Dog Riverdriver Hazelnut Porter. This deep, dark, fragrant porter from Maine is brewed with four types of malted barleys. With its hazelnut nose and layered coffee and chocolate spicing, drinking the beer tastes just like drinking an espresso. 5.6 percent abv.

2. Samuel Smith's Winter Welcome Ale. This extremely well-balanced, rounded dark beer is extremely smooth with hints of malt, caramel and vanilla. Crafted by one of the few remaining independent brewers in England, the Winter Welcome Ale features a vintage dated, specially-designed label each year. 6 percent abv and available in an 18.7-ounce Victorian pint bottle.

1. Souther Tier's Imperial Choklat Stout. This dense dessert-like beer is brewed with caramel, chocolate malt and bittersweet Belgian chocolate. Extremely smooth, this heavy stout tastes like a chocolate milkshake and can be sipped and savored like a cordial. At 11 percent abv, it can certainly make you merry—but the surprisingly mellow, complex beer doesn't feel one bit harsh going down. Available in a 22-ounce bottle.

A few New Jersey breweries are currently offering their own seasonal brews on draught, including:

Gaslight Brewery in South Orange: "Prince of Darkness" (a dark brown, malty ale, 3.4 percent abv) and "Perfect Stout" (an Irish dry stout, extra-dark, 5 percent abv)

Trap Rock Restaurant & Brewery in Berkeley Heights: "Willie's Winter Warmer" (toffee-flavored and aged for two weeks, 6 percent abv) and "Colonial Porter" (spiced with molasses and caramel, 6.5 percent abv)

JJ Bitting Brewing Company in Woodbridge: "Black Jack Oatmeal Stout" (a dark stout with espresso-bitter flavoring, 5.5 percent abv) and "Winter Warmer."

Basil T's Brewery & Italian Grill in Red Bank: "Red Ribbon Ale" (similar to a pale ale)

Climax Brewing Company in Roselle Park: "Hoffmann Lager Doppel Boch" (traditionally brewed by monks to sustain them during Lent, 7-8 percent abv, only available at select liquor stores)

River Horse Brewing Company in Lambertville: "Belgian Freeze" (caramel flavored, 8 percent abv)

Whether you travel over the river and through the woods to grandmother's house or spend a quiet, silent night at home this holiday, don't miss out on 2009's seasonally-inspired beers. They won't be around for long, and what better way to close out the year than with close friends, family and a nice, full pint of holiday cheer. Bottoms up!