Wassail

I first had Wassail (pronounced WAH-suhl) when I was a young lad of 17, courting the beautiful maiden, now one-score and 4 years my bride.  Apparently it's of English derivation, and my redneck roots had yet to encounter such a drink.  Last Saturday's Wall Street Journal, Off Duty section brought the drink into perspective, and nurtured my newfound appreciation for the English holiday staple.  Their version, detailed in the "What Does Christmas Taste Like" article, uses hard cider (which I have N.E.V.E.R appreciated) so I procured a 6-pack of Woodpecker Hard Cider and followed the recipe.  It tastes like Christmas.  In fact, it tastes like Winter, Christmas, and New Year rolled into one.  Experimental variations with spices and citrus (orange slices are nice) will be rewarded.  You will not be disappointed.



courtesy of wikipedia

Anchor Christmas Ale

Now that Christmas is past, try this year's Christmas ale from Anchor Steam (reformulated every year).  From the maker of one of my favorite draught beers comes a Christmas Ale without an overload of spice. Not a session beer, but definitely worth the magnum at Costco, or the six we get down South. Ya'll have a merry one.

For That Special Beer Chick in Your Life

Serious Eats has a nice short list of unique beer-related gifts for that special beer lover in your life. Most intriguing is the Hop Flavored Whiskey distilled from Bear Republic's Racer 5 IPA (don't forget to click on the link to the tasting review).  Yes please.