Ohio Brewery News

Spice World

I’m not even sure how many of these blog posts over the past six years have been about Christmas ales, winter warmers and other holiday seasonal brews. Ohioans have a legendary appetite for these heavily spiced beers, as demonstrated by the fact that nearly every brewery in northeast Ohio offers at least one as the holidays grow near.

The Phoenix Brewing Company released Surly Gnome last week, their take on the traditional amber Christmas ale, brewed with cinnamon, ginger and honey. However, Surly Gnome is just one of *four* holiday-inspired beers The Phoenix has in store this winter.

Meridian tart fruit ale’s winter iteration flavored with cranberry, orange, cinnamon and cheesecake will be released on draft and in cans today at the brewery taproom in Mansfield. Then, on Tuesday, Nov. 14, The Phoenix will release Snow Globe, a blonde ale brewed with honey, spices and orange zest, then infused with cranberry, orange and apple. All that is in addition to Krampus Kandy, a white stout brewed with cacao nibs, vanilla and Highlander Grog coffee, which may be the only holiday-themed beer on tap in Ohio year-round.

Stop by the brewery taproom this month and get in the holiday spirit with these four beers. Be sure to bring some new or gently used winter wear – coats, hats, gloves, scarves or socks – for the brewery’s coat drive for Wayfinders Ohio. Donations will be accepted in the taproom through Sunday, Nov. 19. Learn more about The Phoenix Brewing Company’s philanthropic outreach at phoenixbrewing.com