Champagne, or some version of sparkling white wine, is the traditional drink of choice as the old year becomes a new one. Served in a flute that is clinked against other delicate glasses, while kisses are conferred, confetti falls, and there is—for at least a few fleeting seconds—the promise of a clean slate.
Since we resolve—as we do every year—to drink well, the staff of All About Beer Magazine recently gathered with our friends at the Craft Beer Cellar in Belmont, MA, for a New Year’s Eve beer tasting. Typical beer offerings on New Year’s Eve usually resolve around an effervescent Saison (Saison Dupont is a traditional and a great choice) and there have been attempts at making a beer tailored to the holiday and other special occasions (anyone remember the Samuel Adams/Weihenstephan collaboration Infinium?)
Playing off of various themes, different styles (that aren’t necessarily Champagne-like) we uncapped a few that will set up your next trip around the sun to be a good one.
Weyerbacher Brewing Co.’s Last Chance IPA
New Holland Brewing Co.’s The Poet
Enlightenment Ales’ Enlightenment Brut
These beers were reviewed by John Holl, Dustan Lilas, Lee Movic and Kelsey Roth on Dec. 5, 2014, at the Craft Beer Cellar in Belmont, MA. Photography by Peter Johnstone.
John Holl is the editor of All About Beer Magazine. Contact him via Twitter @John_Holl or JohnHoll@AllAboutBeer.com.
