By Brian Beauchemin

As the holidays quickly come upon us, our local brewers provide a slate of options ranging from traditional styles to beers sporting unique adjuncts. For the yuletide spirit, peppermint intertwines with coffee and maple syrup bourbon barrels bring depth to an imperial porter. One brewery provides the opportunity to taste the same beer fermented with three different yeasts. While another brewery returns its classic American amber alongside a unique dark pilsner. Unless otherwise noted, all beers are already available in taprooms and/or local retail establishments.

Birdsong Brewing Co.

Morning Train is a 5% ABV oatmeal stout brewed with 100% local malt from Carolina Malt House. The classic, smooth oatmeal stout rides on rich Maris Otter malt, roasted barley, and oats for a toasty, full-flavored journey with just the right hop balance. Available December 11 in the taproom and in distribution December 15.

To celebrate their 14-year anniversary on December 13, the brewery will serve five special taproom-only drafts: Grapefruit Sparkling Ale, 6% ABV; Head Over Feet double IPA, 9% ABV; Prehistoric Dog Imperial Stout, 10.5% ABV; Black Tambourine Tequila Barrel-Aged Black Gose, 7% ABV; and Sorghum Brown Ale, 5% ABV.

Cabarrus Brewing Co.

A spiced 6.5% ABV English style ale, Winter Warmer balances malt with allspice, ginger, nutmeg, orange peel, and spruce tips.

Peppermint Mocha Blonde is a 4.7% ABV blonde ale brewed with peppermint and French roast coffee. Available only in their taproom. 

NoDa Brewing Co.

Winter is coming and Cold Crash, the brewery’s original winter warmer, is back! The brew is an old school, non-spiced amber ale fermented on Scottish yeast and fortified with lactose and brown sugar. Inspired by English stock ales, the beer is warm, rich, and full bodied with a warming, but drinkable 6.5% ABV. 

Releasing December 12, DeHoption is a 6.2% ABV West Coast IPA hopped with Simcoe, Citra, Mosaic, and Chinook hops. The taproom-only draft beer was triple decocted, a process where a portion of the mash is boiled and remixed with the main batch yielding richer and fuller malt flavors. 

December 19 marks the return of Ramble on Red, one of the brewery’s tried and true old school brews. The red is a classic 5.2% ABV American amber ale with balanced malt and hop flavors. The malt provides slightly sweet, biscuity, rye nuances supported by subtle bitterness and a solid mouthfeel. On draft in their taproom only.

Dark Side of the Brew is a dark version of a West Coast pilsner (a pilsner dry-hopped in the style of a West Coast IPA). Dry-hopped with Chinook, Mosaic, and Simcoe hops. The mash was triple decocted to enhance the malt flavors while Carafa malt provides darker color. The 4.8% ABV dark lager is gluten-reduced and will be a taproom-only draft available December 26. 

Pilot Brewing

There will be three variations of the brewery’s Snowbird Southeastern IPA available in their taproom December 19. Two beers each showcase a different yeast for a unique flavor experience to compare to their classic batch brewed with American yeast. Lager Yeast Snowbird IPA is a crisp, clean take on their standard IPA while Belgian Yeast Snowbird IPA provides a fruity, spicy twist with Belgian character. Visit the taproom to taste side-by-side comparisons and explore the subtle, and not-so-subtle, ways yeast transforms an IPA.

Triple C Brewing Co.

Dream State is a 5.5% ABV cranberry and lime pastry sour ale. The draft-only sour was fermented with fresh cranberry and lime purees. Milk sugar and vanilla provide its pastry-like sweetness with just enough sourness to invite the next sip. 

Available on draft and in 500ml bottles, Barrel Aged Up All Night is a 10% ABV imperial breakfast porter. Brewed with a blend of chocolate, roasted, and caramel malts alongside copious amounts of cacao nibs and dark roasted coffee from Giddy Goat Coffee Roasters. Aged in maple syrup bourbon barrels for a unique breakfast porter experience beginning December 12.

Releasing December 19, Man Cave is a 4.9% ABV kellerpils. This unfiltered German-style pilsner combines the crisp, refreshing bitterness of a classic pilsner with a softer, more natural texture. Its slightly hazy appearance preserves its delicate yeast and malt profile. The draft only lager sports floral hop notes, gentle bready flavor, and a clean finish. 

Plump is an 8% ABV hazy double IPA available December 26. This big hazy consists of over 60% flaked oats and wheat, providing its nearly white haze. The IPA blossoms with aromas of tropical fruit, cotton candy, and lime zest.

Vaulted Oak Brewing

Emo Crayon Box is a 7% ABV black rye IPA. This “upgraded version” of the brewery’s standard black IPA has rye malt added in tandem with Centennial and El Dorado hops. 

Releasing Christmas week, Day Dreamer is a 4.8% ABV session pale ale. Hopped with Citra and Krush, the crisp, easy sipper has just enough hop kick to jingle those tastebuds.