Ohio Brewery News

New Traditionalists 

Ohio’s love of winter warmer ales like Great Lakes Christmas Ale or Thirsty Dog’s 12 Dogs of Christmas is a well-documented phenomenon. Beer writers extol their virtues over countless column inches each year as more and more Ohio breweries release their spicy, sweet amber ales to an enthusiastic throng of beer drinkers.

While satisfying the demand of the market is just good business sense, the craft brewing industry didn’t become what it is today by simply following trends. That’s why it’s so fascinating to see brewers moving toward different kinds of holiday brews, looking to create a niche within a niche that will appeal to craft beer fans.

Jackie O’s recently resurrected their holiday ale, Deck the Hills, tweaking the recipe to create a rich, English-style brown ale at a sessionable 5.6% ABV. The blend of English, German and American malt provides a robust, roasty backbone, balanced by the fragrant, herbal bitterness of English East Kent Golding hops. Deck the Hills is on tap now at the Jackie O’s locations in Athens, and available in cans at retail outlets all across the state. Learn more at jackieos.com

One beer does not a trend make, of course. Here are just a handful of the non-traditional holiday ales to look forward to this winter from a few of Ohio’s craft breweries:

• Columbus Brewing Company (Columbus) – Citra Noel hoppy red holiday ale
• Earnest Brew Works (Toledo) – Holiday Toast English-style ale with cinnamon
• Fat Head’s Brewery (Cleveland) – Pimp My Sleigh Belgian-style dark strong ale
• Hoppin’ Frog Brewery (Akron) – Frogichlaus Swiss-style celebration lager
• Rhinegeist (Cincinnati) – Dad hoppy red ale
• Warped Wing Brewing – Holiday Special spiced holiday lager