It’s a very good week to be celebrating the holidays in D.C. Several local beer-focused bars have surrendered the entirety of their draft lines to the spirit of the season. What that means for beer enthusiasts in town over the next week is that instead going from place to place to pick from just a few holiday selections on any one bar’s list, you can have as many as twenty big Christmas or winter ales all in one location—and all on tap. ‘Tis the season!
On Monday Pizzeria Paradiso put on all Christmas and celebration ales at their three locations in Georgetown, Dupont Circle, and Old Town Alexandria. Then Tuesday evening Galaxy Hut in Clarendon changed all their drafts to holiday ales and winter seasonals. If you are looking for a nice, warming holiday beer to get you in the spirit before heading out of town, or to share with old friends and family right here in D.C., your best bet is to head to one of these spots. (It should be noted that Meridian Pint may very well have a few special stouts leftover from the Bell’s Brewery event this week.)
Check out full draft lists for each location below. The line-ups are subject to change as each keg is kicked. To help you out (and perhaps live vicariously from afar), I have noted beers with an asterisk that are on the rarer side and may be likely to go sooner than others. In fact, some of them may already be gone, especially the casks. If you have any exceptional ones, let me hear about them.
GALAXY HUT:
Eggenberg Samichlaus Doppelbock
*Mikkeller Santa’s Little Helper
Huyghe Delirium Noel
Dubuisson Scaldis Noel
Gouden Carolus Noel
St. Bernardus Christmas Ale
The Bruery 3 French Hens
Ommegang Adoration Winter Ale
Heavy Seas 2009 Yuletide Tripel
21st Amendment Fireside Chat
Schlafly Christmas Ale
*Blue Mountain Lights Out Holiday Ale
Anderson Valley Winter Solstice
Avery Old Jubilation Ale
Flying Dog K9 Cruiser
Stoudt’s Winter Ale
Southern Tier Old Man Winter
Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale
Bell’s Christmas Ale
Abita Christmas Ale
PIZZERIA PARADISO Georgetown:
Bell’s Christmas Ale
Chouffe N’Ice Chouffe
Dogfish Head World Wide Stout 2009
*Dubuisson Scaldis Noel 2008
La Rulles Cuvee Meuilleurs Voeux
Schlafly Christmas Ale
Sierra Nevada 30th Anniversary – Fritz & Ken’s Ale
Sierra Nevada 30th Annviersary – Grand Cru
Sierra Nevada 30th Anniversary – Charlie, Fred & Ken’s Bock
Sierra Nevada 30th Anniversary – Jack & Ken’s Ale
Southern Tier Winter
St. Feuillien Cuvee Noel
Stillwater Saison Darkly
*Three Floyds Behemoth
Troegs Mad Elf
Van Steenberge Gulden Draak Vintage
ON CASK: Oliver’s Merry Ole Ale
PIZZERIA PARADISO Dupont:
Anchor Christmas
Corsendonk Christmas
*Dogfish Head World Wide Stout 2008
Dubuisson Scaldis Noel
Dupont Avec Les Bons Voeux
Einbecker Winter Bock
Great Lakes Christmas Ale
*Jolly Pumpkin Noel de Calabaza
Ommegang Adoration
Sierra Nevada Celebration
St. Bernardus Christmas
The Bruery 3 French Hens
*Van Eecke Christmas Leroy
ON CASK: Stillwater Existent
PIZZERIA PARADISO Old Town:
21 Amendment Fireside Chat
Anderson Valley Winter Solstice
*Boelens Santa Bee
Dogfish Head World Wide Stout 2010
Eggenberg Samichlaus
Het Anker Gouden Carolus Noel
Long Trail Hibernator
Huyghe Delerium Noel
Petrus Winter
Silenrieux Noel
*Silly Noel
Smuttynose Winter
Uintas Labyrinth
Wild Goose Snow Goose
ON CASK: St. George Imperial Stout