The skies getting grey, the days getting cold, the dark of night coming earlier — these are all signs that a new season is upon us, one that can sometimes be a great weight to carry. But with the bad comes the good, and for many of us, our hard work this exam season will be paid off with the nostalgic comfort of holiday tradition.
A common pleasure around this time of year is enjoying the drinks the season provides. Many options present themselves throughout the month, but blindly grabbing, pouring, and throwing back the first liquid you come across could be a fatal mistake (and I’m not even talking about the Pine-sol).
Hot chocolate and warm cider are the first of these holiday wonders that most of us will experience, but let’s face it, we’re not 12 anymore, and we’re not still sitting at the kids’ table for our holiday feast (well, hopefully not). So I say this: it’s time to move on.
Frequently cited as the defacto drink of December, eggnog to me is something of an enigma. Just because some estranged uncle cracks open the carton once a year, doesn’t mean it ought to be considered standard fare. I would encourage any eggnog-appreciating reader to explain the appeal, because really, I want to understand.
Taking a stroll through the holiday-infused alleys of The Distillery District may tempt you into a heated cup of mulled wine. While this may not be the worst decision you’ve made all year, watch out for those high-risk situations. All it takes is one over-zealous Do-It-Yourself type friend to botch a batch and the idea of warm spiced vino could be ruined for you forever!
I appeal to you, my brothers and sisters of the holidays: this year, have a beer. Moving forward from the autumnal seasonals of Bavarian-styles & pumpkin ales, dark ales and stouts are the perfect complement to winter. As with a hearty stew, or a totally cozy winter sweater, the thick texture and complex flavour profile of these brews can provide a boost to battle the winter blues.
This past Friday, the Gladstone Hotel played host to a fine selection of locally brewed beers at their event “The 12 Beers of Christmas.” In a partnership with the Toronto Festival of Beer, the hotel’s idea was to share some of their lesser-known draft items with the community, and cultivate support for Ontario’s craft brewers. A few brews stood out in exemplary seasonal style.
Sparkhouse Red Ale
Lake of Bays Brewing Company
Baysville, ON (near Huntsville)
This dark beer has the necessary weight for a suitable winter ale. Heavy with caramel and toffee notes, this would be a nice option to crack open after a bountiful main course. Pair this with your holiday treats, especially a piece of shortbread, or one of those tin box chocolate cookies.
Netherworld Dark Ale
Flying Monkey Brewery
Barrie, ON
Netherworld is a well-suited name for this brew. Although it describes itself as a dark ale, I’d argue that it’s more of a fusion; it has the density of a dark ale, while at the same time borrows its flavour from the hoppiness of an India Pale Ale. This one is absolutely not for your frat boy’s chugging contest or for the feint of heart. This is a drink-slow-and-savour beer for a Sunday evening, possibly in front of a stocking-draped fire.
Nut Brown Ale
Black Oak Brewing Company
Etobicoke, ON
Take one sip of this, and you’ll immediately taste the coffee and chocolate hints from the dark roast of this beer’s malts. If mocha beer isn’t a thing, one sip of this ale suggests that it should be. In regards to the beer’s creamy texture and flavourful taste, I’ll just say this: the sensory experience of drinking Nut Brown Ale is the taste equivalent of hurdling into a warm house after a frigid hike through the snow.
