Every December — while the bartenders close down our Proctor District craft beer bar, bottle shop and restaurant for the night — Peaks & Pints co-owner Pappi Swarner grabs three holiday beers, heads upstairs to his office, cranks his computer speaks to an 11 and watches holiday Youtube videos. Obviously, he can’t perform his holiday tradition this year … at Peaks & Pints. No, his holiday hell now takes place inside his home, much to the chagrin of his wife and daughter. In the spirit of giving, we offer you the chance to share his joy. Today, he pairs the three Christmas season beers below with Telsa coil tree. Fiber-optic Christmas trees are nice and all, but they’re so boring. Where’s the drama? If your Yule needs a touch of Burning Man, nothing will fix you up faster than a Tesla coil tree. For the uninitiated, a Tesla coil is a radio frequency oscillator that drives an air-core double-tuned resonant transformer to produce high voltages at low currents. Anyway, if you don’t believe Pappi grab our to-go flight, Peaks and Pints To-Go Christmas Beer Flight: O Tesla Coilbaum, then watch the coil in all its glory.
Peaks and Pints To-Go Christmas Beer Flight: O Tesla Coilbaum
StormBreaker Barrel-aged Winter Coat
7.5% ABV, 35 IBU
StormBreaker Brewing founders Dan Malech and Rob Lutz change the recipe of their seasonal Winter Coat imperial brown ale. After a fresh version of Winter Coat drops in the fall, they dump some in barrels for the following fall. Last year, they dump the Coat with raspberries in Bull Run Distilling Temperance Trader Bourbon barrels.
Wingman Noel
10% ABV
Wingman Brewers takes Noble hops, imported Belgian candi sugar and Washington Pilsner and Pale malts and creates the gift that keeps on giving — the Belgian strong dark ale Noel. Dip your nose in for spicy breadiness, caramel, cola toffee and some dark pitted fruit. The tongue follows suit with sweet, dark fruit, holiday spices, cherry cola and light on the carbonation.
Double Mountain Fa La La La La
7.5% ABV, 85 IBU
T’is the season for a big, malty hop bomb. … Double Mountain Brewery loads their annual holiday brew up with enough Centennials to fill Santa’s toy bag. Brewed with Gambrinus Organic Pilsner and Munich malt, imported crystal malts and Centennial hops, this winter ale pours a beautifully, burnt orange and huge fluffy head. Aroma hints at the spiciness that follows in the taste. The spice isn’t overwhelming, but complementary to the malt and hop profiles. Expect lingering savory flavors, with a slick and creamy body.
