The First Hanukkah Beer

Shmaltz Brewing of Clifton Park, New York make a full line up of He’brew (“The Chosen Beer”) Jewish themed beers. Hanukkah, Chanukah: Pass The Beer sports a 9 candle menorah on the label. It is the first Hanukkah beer and it’s quite good. I thought it deserves a mention.

Hanukkah, Chanukah pours dark copper with a light tan thin head of foam. The aroma is caramel malts, nuts, and a hint of cocoa. The taste is toasted malts (8 of them), burnt caramel, nuttiness, a nice balancing bitterness from the hops (8 of them), semi-sweet cocoa on the finish. It’s 8% ABV – can you see the theme here? It’s medium bodied and drinks like a Winter Warmer. And, of course, it’s kosher.

With hundreds of Christmas beers available, I’m surprised this the first Hanukkah beer. Eight nights of this beer would be a joy. Happy Hanukkah!

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    While it's difficult to picture Santa as a young man, he was once. He met the future Mrs. Claus one snowy night when she offered him a winter ale that she brewed herself. It was love at first sight - for both the Mrs. and her winter ales. With Santa's growing fame, his favorite brews became named after his favorite day - Christmas. Santa now travels the world each year to spread the joy that began in a stable in Bethlehem two millennia ago.

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