A basic beer uses only four ingredients: water, malted barley, hops, and yeast. Brewers often add other ingredients like specialty grains, fruit, and spices to change the flavor, color, and aroma of their beer. During the holidays, people often adorn their houses with festive decorations and in that spirit, beer makers frequently use unique ingredients create special holiday brews.
There is not a succinct definition of what makes a beer a “holiday beer,” but breweries often kick out suds that are packed with dark malts, hops, or interesting spices like cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg, cloves, ginger, irish moss, and vanilla. These ingredients are usually added during the boil and give holiday beers interesting and novel flavors.
Cinnamon sticks Irish moss
Breweries only make a limited supply of holiday beer and when they’re gone they’re gone. While searching for gift for a beer lover or brainstorming what to bring to the family dinner, keep an eye out for these beers.
Hapa’s Brewing is flush with holiday spirit these days, and is planning a special holiday brew on New Year’s Eve that will include cinnamon, honey, molasses, and allspice among other ingredients. Stay tuned!
