With the ever-increasing options of craft beer available in PA, there are almost infinite choices to drink during the holidays this year. And we wanted to know what the makers of some of our favorite beverages have in their glass.
So we asked brewers all across the state “What are you drinking this holiday season?” Here are their responses, which as you can see are pretty varied!
“At the moment we’re enjoying Dancing Gnome’s Pilsner, as many Roundabout beers while we still can, plus Sierra Nevada Celebration, and Bourbon County Stout.” – Josh Taylor, Rob Dillman & Zach Gordon, Co-Owners of Old Thunder Brewing Company
“Bright tart sours, sessionable DIPAs, easy-going milds & too many barrel-aged Russian Imperial Stouts” – Kenny Rampolla, Co-owner of Lost Tavern Brewing
“Accumulation and Celebration.” – Ben Steffen, Owner/Brewer of Arboretum Trail
“Yuzu Illusion. Collaboration Japanese Rice Lager brewed with Yuzu peel and puree along with Rebel Hill Brewing.” – Mark Thomas, Head Brewer of Stable 12 Brewing
“Fruipilsner. For the festive colors and effervescent pilsners.” – PJ Williams, Head Brewer/Operations Director of Bull Frog Brewery
“Honestly? Mostly bourbon and pastry stouts. For whatever reason, I have a huge soft spot for pastry stouts. In our taproom, I’m drinking our Rhapsody Pale Premium Czech-style lager from our brand new 4 tap side pull faucet tower from the Czech Republic. I don’t drink my own beer often, as I just critique it the entire time. It kind of defeats the purpose of drinking beer as an enjoyable experience. It fits my definition of a well-executed “Crispy Boi”. From PA, it’s either literally any lager from Human Robot or Lustra from Dancing Gnome.” – Ben Little, Head Brewer of Fourscore Beer Co.
“Dark beers. My favorite is schwarzbier, but anything with some caramel or roasty characteristics hit the spot this time of year.” – Matt Gilberg, Production Manager of Levante Brewing Company
“Anything dark and malty, but my cold season goto is always Troegenator from Troegs.” – Jonathan Patton, Co-owner/Head Brewer of Iron Pint Brewing
“Holidays means tapping into my aged collection. Not sure honestly but possibly a well-aged Kriek from Canadian Brewers, A La Fut.” – Bill McGeeney, Co-owner/Chief Story Teller of Round Guys
“Whiskey and mead…but for beer, I have been enjoying trying all the local beers that I haven’t tried yet. There are so many good beers and breweries out there.” – Jason Simmons, Head Brewer of Lindgren Craft Brewery
“At Warwick Farm, we enjoy drinking our Doppelbock off draft. I’ll also get a case of Sly Fox Helles, the best beer in this entire world.” – Ryan Seiz, Brewmaster of Warwick Farm Brewing
“I’m going to find something thick and dark. And balance that with something hoppy and lighter. Probably some Levity Sergeant Fartlek session IPA. And Headlamp Stout that clocks on at 9%. And lots of mimosas with my wife. Because mimosa.” – Luke McKelvy, CFO of Levity Brewing Company
“Lots of our tap-room-exclusive Vienna Lager and American Stout, usually accompanied with some Wild Turkey over a big rock.” – Matty Snyder, Head Brewer of Weyerbacher Brewing Company
“Holiday season is dark beer season for me, and I’m soaking up as many of them as I can. Specifically Winter Warmers, Stouts, and Porters.” – Ben Butler, Founder of Necromancer Brewing
“Saisons, Pilsners, barrel-aged stouts, bloody Mary’s and scotch!” – Basil, Co-Owner/Brewer of Brothers Kershner Brewing Company
“Sierra Nevada Celebration.” – Jake Howell, Brewer/Co-Owner of Second Sin Brewing
“Winter holiday beers tend to be my favorite of the seasonals, so a nice winter warmer works well for me. I also love Mad Elf 50/50s with a nice Russian Imperial. However, who am I kidding? I’m going to hit the Bourbon hard this year.” – Mike LaCouture, Co-owner of Broken Goblet
“Hoppy Little Beer by Acclamation Brewing.” – Jason Yahnke, Co-owner/Director of Operations/Brewer of Acclamation Brewing
“All the barleywine” – Zach Waltz, Owner/Head Brewer of Union Brothers Brewing
“I do like some egg nog with a little whiskey or spiced rum in it during the holidays! Beer-wise I’m sticking to pale ales and dark lagers.” – Logan Hartpence, Head Brewer of Lavery Brewing Company
