Whew, the year is almost over, folks.
Most of us are celebrating at home, and if you’re not into bubbly or cocktails, why not try some homegrown craft beers this New Year’s Eve?
Here’s a list of some Pennsylvania’s best to try as we bid adieu to 2020.
Wanderlust Chocolate Porter: Grab a cutie and sit by the fire while you sip on Barley Creek’s chocolate porter — the perfect beer for those cold winter nights. The Tannersville-based brewery also has a Winterfest Lager and Slippery Slope Pale Ale, which we hear are favorites among locals. Info: barleycreek.com/whats-on-tap
Mad Elf Beer: Hershey-based Tröegs collaborated with Caputo Brothers Creamery of Spring Grove and GIANT for the holidays. If you haven’t tried this limited edition beer, now’s your chance. In addition to Mad Elf’s signature notes of cherries, chocolate and honey, the cheese is augmented with a spice rub of cinnamon, nutmeg and clove. Info: troegs.com
ETOO: Four Points Brewing, based in Charleroi, has brought back its fruited sour series just in time for New Year’s Eve. The ETOO is brewed with milk sugar and conditioned on over 80 pounds per barrel of blood orange, passion fruit and pink guava purée, along with vanilla beans. A refreshing tropical drink, it’s best served as cold as possible. Info: fourpointsbrewing.com
Holiday Punch Splash Crowler: Philly’s Human Robot Brewery’s holiday fruited kettle sour has notes of pineapple, cranberry, pomegranate, ginger and some homemade orgeat. Trust us, you’ll want to drink more than one. Info: humanrobotbeer.com
Crancuddle: After a few pints of this light and tarty beer, you’ll be in the mood to snuggle and kiss under the mistletoe before the clock strikes 12. We hear it’s one of Weyerbacher Brewing, based in Easton, best sellers around the holidays. Info: weyerbacher.com
Hope Winter Happens: Philly’s Crime and Punishment Brewing Company’s one-year aged imperial stout has notes of chocolate, vanilla and tangerine peel. The brewery took two kegs of last year’s Pretend Winter Happened and allowed them to condition with more chocolate — the result is Hope What Happens, which if we’re being honest, is what we all need in 2021. Info: crimeandpunishmentbrewingco.com
Bourbon Barrel Insidious: Bethlehem’s Fegleys’ Brew Works ages this “cunning” imperial stout in Kentucky bourbon barrels for roughly a year. With flavors of chocolate and vanilla, it finishes with a a warming bourbon finish. Info: thebrewworks.com
Nubian: This brown ale is one of the first brewed by Philadelphia brothers, Rich and Mengistu Koilor, who are owners of Two Locals Brewing Company, which is slated to be one of the first Black-owned breweries in Pennsylvania. Info: twolocalsbrewing.com
Cloud Walker: A favorite of my colleague, this hazy juicy IPA brewed by Victory Brewing Company in Downingtown is a bit on the fruity side (but not overly so, she says) not too bitter, and is smooth tasting. Info: victorybeer.com
Wally Wilson: Taking its name from Wilsonville, a town that now resides at the bottom of Lake Wallenpaupack, this IPA has tropical hop notes and bold and bitter not unlike the forgotten town that haunts NEPA. Info: poconobrewery.com
— Micaela Hood/Pocono Record via Associated Press
