The scent of crisp pine needles and the glow of sparkling lights are powerful symbols of the holiday season, tantalizing the senses and evoking strong emotions.
In the same way, certain flavors just make the season bright. Cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, peppermint — one taste is enough to ring your “Jingle Bells.”
Local brewers are masters at adding subtle flavor to their beers, everything from hot peppers to blood orange. This time of year, they’re using their skills for malty, hearty batches of brew to make the cold, dark nights of early winter much more festive.
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Warm up with toasty brown ales, mint-infused stouts and robust Belgian ales. For beer lovers, the release of special seasonal brews is like waking up on Christmas morning, only all December long. Check out what the local breweries have on tap for you this December:
Tax Holiday
Who: Taxman Brewing Co.
Where: 13 S. Baldwin St., Bargersville
Type: Belgian Dark Strong
Alcohol by volume: 10 percent
What is it: This full-bodied Christmas ale is the beer equivalent to sitting around a roaring fire on a chilly night. The beer leans heavily on chocolate rye for a malt profile that’s both rich and spicy. Local honey from Hunter’s Farm in Martinsville contributes a deep color, crisp dryness and subtle notes of molasses, while the hops provide fruit and oak flavors.
Strange Planet Java Mint
Who: Planetary Brewing Co.
Where: 188 S. Madison Ave., Greenwood
Type: Stout
Alcohol by volume: 5 percent
What is it: This beer might be as dark as a mid-December’s night, but the malty coffee backbone of the stout is given a crisp nudge of minty notes. The flavor isn’t overpowering, but just gives enough of a taste to take your mind to chilly Christmas mornings.
Epiphany Tripel
Who: Oaken Barrel Brewing Co.
Where: 50 Airport Pkwy, Greenwood
Type: Abbey-style tripel ale
Alcohol by volume: 9.7 percent
What is it: Like a bolt from the blue, Oaken Barrel’s approach to the Belgian tradition of strong ales is striking. The beer has a light body, and as typical of traditional abbey-style Belgians, has a slight sweetness and fruity character that gives it a unique take. Even with its high alcohol content, this is a beer that is an enjoyably smooth quaff.
Santa Quaff
Who: Quaff On! Brewing Co.
Where: 1800 E. King St., Franklin
Type: Winter warmer
Alcohol by volume: 8.6 percent
What is it: Quaff On!, the brewing arm of Big Woods Restaurants, started with a crisp brown ale, then added nutmeg, clove, cinnamon, and brown sugar for a pint bursting with holiday flavors. It’s like a gingerbread cookie in beer form, and the robust brew is sure to keep the nip in the air away on even the coldest of nights.
Electric Reindeer
Who: Sun King Brewing
Where: 135 N. College Ave., Indianapolis
Type: Brown ale
Alcohol by volume: 5.5 percent
What is it: In partnership with Newfields for its Winterlights extravaganza, Sun King brewed up the perfect winter warmer for taking in the brilliant light show. The brown ale is brewed with ginger and molasses for a slight sweetness to balance the toasty malt flavors. Though limited amounts are available at Sun King’s downtown tasting room, the most reliable place to pick it up is at Winterlights itself.
Tis the Season
Who: MashCraft Brewing Co.
Where: 1140 SR 135, Greenwood
Type: Winter ale
Alcohol by volume: 8.6 percent
What is it: Spice up the Christmas season with this ale, which uses a blend of five different spices to create an invigorating flavor. Hints of chocolate and just a touch of lactose help bring everything together.
Downtown Cocoa Brown
Who: Shale Creek Brewing Co.
Where: 178 W. Jefferson St., Franklin
Type: Brown Ale
Alcohol by volume: 6.7 percent
What it is: While not strictly a holiday beer, this classic brown ale is a winner in the winter. Just like kids love a steaming cup of hot chocolate, adults will crave the chocolate notes and smooth malts of this toasty beer.