CLARKSBURG, W.Va. (WBOY) — Whether you think the holiday season is coming too early or not early enough, West Virginia breweries have been gearing up to keep you warm and in the holiday spirit with the help of some seasonal and festive beers.
We’ve reached out to all of West Virginia’s top breweries, and below you can see what they’re most proud of this holiday season.
For this New Brews flight, brewers were asked, “What’s the perfect Christmas movie to go with your beer?” so if you see one of your favorites on this list, maybe grab one of these beers, sit by the fire, and soak up the holiday cheer.
Morgantown Brewing Company – Morgantown, West Virginia
constant feedback – 5.2% sour beer
“This beer is an annual favorite that we release every year before Christmas. All the flavors blend together to create a blend of delicious spices and citrus. It’s truly perfect for the holiday season and a longtime brewery favorite.“
Christmas Movie Pairing: Tim Burton’s Batman Returns
This beer with notes of orange, cranberry, cinnamon and vanilla is now available for a limited time at the Morgantown Brewing Company brewpub.
Great Wood Brewing – Elkins, West Virginia
ice cold winter beer – 7.8% strong beer
“Frost Notch Winter Ale is a great winter beer to warm up by the fire. Strong notes of caramel with a hint of smoke, balanced with English hops.
Christmas Movie Pairing: Home Alone
This winter season fan-favorite from Big Timber is available now in cans and draft at Big Timber’s Tavern, as well as restaurants and retailers statewide. If you’re ever looking for a particular beer, don’t be afraid to call a few places ahead of time to save yourself a trip!
alpine glow – 5% profit
“Alpenglow is a fast acid Gose, fruited with cranberries, orange peel, WV rosemary, WV salt and coriander. A great combination for any festive occasion.”
Christmas Movie Pairing: Elf
The Alpenglow is part of Big Timber’s rotating series of sour drinks and is available now through January in both cans and on tap at the Big Timber Taproom, as well as multiple retailers and restaurants throughout the state.
smash pie – 13% Imperial Stout
“Cake Smash Pastry Stout is inspired by our favorite German chocolate cake. This beer is one of the strongest beers we brew. At 13% ABV, this beer is brewed with nuts and lactose. We condition the beer with coconut, cocoa nibs, vanilla beans, and coffee.”
Christmas Movie Pairing: Scrooged
Cake Smash is available now for a limited time in tins and draft at Big Timber’s Tavern, as well as other bars, restaurants and retail stores where Big Timber products can be found.
Big Barrel Brewing – White Sulfur Springs, West Virginia
Irish Ord Stout – 6.5% bourbon stout
Rye Bourbon Barrel Aged Oat Stout using Smooth Ambler Contradiction barrels. Silky smooth balance with malt flavor with accents of oak, vanilla, chocolate and just enough world-class rye bourbon flavor.“
Christmas Movie Pairing: Santa Claus
This new staple of the Big Draft line is now available at the Big Draft Brewing Tavern.
The Freefolk Brewery – Fayetteville, West Virginia
Gingerbread Winter Ale – 6% spiced beer
“This season is brewed with cinnamon, ginger, and complemented with specialty caramel malts for delicious nostalgia! It is medium bodied with a smooth mouthfeel and comes in at just 6%. Served with a cinnamon sugar rim! It’s a delicious tribute to the Gingerbread Festival in Fayetteville, WV!”
Christmas Movie Pairing: Elf
This limited-time beer is available now and will also be distributed statewide (map here!).
Imperial Stout – 8% Imperial Stout
“Our new black beer! We add a ton of grain into this beer to create a rich depth of flavors. The caramel and chocolate notes are perfectly balanced with the century-old hop bitterness in the rear. A thick body, this stout is perfect for transitioning into the winter season!”
Christmas Movie Pairing: Home alone
This beer is currently available at the Freefolk Brewery Taproom and is also distributed statewide, but only while supplies last, so try it while you can if you like your stouts.
Brew Works Bridge – Fayetteville, West Virginia
black diamond lager – 5% golden beer
“German Swartzbier, dark with ruby reflections and toasted head, aroma of dark malt and bitter chocolate with a clean semi-dry finish balanced with German hops.”
Christmas Movie Pairing: A Christmas Carol
This surprisingly dark lager will be available from mid-December through winter and can only be found on draft at the Bridge Brew Works Taproom.
Brewing in Berkeley Springs – Berkeley Springs, West Virginia
apple butter beer – 7.1% spiced beer
“Made with a Marzen-style base, fresh-squeezed local apple juice, and allspice for a flavor reminiscent of grandma’s apple butter.”
Christmas Movie Pairing: Miracle on 34th Street
This season is currently available at the Berkeley Springs Brewing taproom, Bath Water Brewpub, and Top Shelf Liquors.
marley’s chains – 10% Belgian quad
“A robust dark Belgian with gingerbread spice and a rich malt base with a smooth finish for a delicious fireside sip.”
Christmas Movie Pairing: A Christmas Carol
Named after Ebenezer Scrooge’s business partner, this seasonal beer is now available at Berkeley Springs Brewing’s taproom.
Fife street brewing –Charleston, West Virginia
Miracle on Thirty Fife Street – 9.9% Belgian Christmas quad
“Yeast driven beer, full bodied. Seasoned with the comforting Christmas spices of cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and a hint of orange peel. Malt character of dark fruits and raisins with a warm finish.“
Christmas Movie Pairing: Die Hard
This beer is available starting December 9 as a small batch, limited release, only at Fife Street Brewing Tavern.
Greenbrier Valley Brewing Company –Maxwelton, West Virginia
Two hour delay – 7.5% christmas beer
“Get into the snow with our Spiced Winter Brew! The robust body will keep you warm as visions of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and allspice dance in your head. A hint of molasses adds complexity to an already rich profile. It’s a snowy day, you’re not going anywhere… you could have a pair!“
Christmas Movie Pairing: Jack Frost
This beer will be available on December 10 at the GVBC Tavern as well as Hill and Hollar in Lewisburg as part of the Girls’ Day Out event starting at 10 am This is a small batch beer available for a limited time and in limited quantities .
GVBC will also donate $1 per pint sold during the event to the Family Shelter Center.
amani beer – Martinsburg, West Virginia
Winter Soulstice – 8% peanut butter and chocolate beer
“This beer is packed with peanut butter and chocolate tastes like a Reece cup!”
Christmas Movie Pairing: Home Alone
This flavorful beer is now available on tap from Amani Brewing and is made especially for Amani Brewing’s winter solstice party.