Drink Recs for the Upcoming Holidays

One classic staple during the holiday dinner parties are the wines. However, this article claims:

cider, craft beer, and whiskey have been on a cultural tear in America over the past few years
and has several beverage recommendations for the holiday season like Belgian Strong Dark Ale, Japanese Whiskey, and Basque Cider.

Which alcoholic beverages do you guys drink during the holiday season? What do you guys recommend?

Should I get out of my comfort zone and try beer, whiskey, and/or cider during this holiday season? Or, should I stick with this Pinot Noir that I’ve been going to?

38 Comments
 

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GoldenCinderblock: "I keep spending all my money on exotic fish so my armor sucks. Is it possible to romance multiple females? I got with the blue chick so far but I am also interested in the electronic chick and the face mask chick."

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Bombay sapphire. /thread

You killed the Greece spread goes up, spread goes down, from Wall Street they all play like a freak, Goldman Sachs 'o beat.
 

Can't beat a nice craft porter. But I really enjoy a nice peaty whisky when I'm just sipping during an evening and not slamming cheap beer for a night out in the long winter months. Lagavulin is always good, but I prefer one step down with Bowmore. Perhaps the best single malt I've ever had though is Ballechin: http://edradour.com/shop/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=51

It is the pride in my collection. It's from Scotland's "smallest" distiller so it may be tough to get in the States, but if you can... you won't regret the price paid.

Why Pinot for winter though? If I am forced to go the wine route I can only do Cab or Chard (or some bubbly of course).

 

This. and either Bulleit Rye or Whistlepig.

For actual Christmas Day at the In-Laws, I usually grab a 12 pack at the local craft beer store as they don't like the brown stuff and I'm too cheap to share a bottle with the two "others" that also show up who do.

Director of Finance and Corporate Development: 2020 - Present Manager of FP&A and Corporate Development: 2019 - 2020 Corporate Finance, Strategy and Development: 2011 - 2019 "An investment in knowledge pays the best interest." - Benjamin Franklin
 

If you're hosting and whip up a good Old Fashioned I'm sure that would be a hit. I usually go with Budweiser, Heineken, whiskey, or scotch.

 
"LeChiffre"

I usually go with Budweiser

I prefer to enjoy my drinks, thanks.

"There's nothing you can do if you're too scared to try." - Nickel Creek
 

I do really like good bourbon drinks in the cold....Four Roses bourbon is a hit where I live.

I've come to enjoy Saison beers recently. If you can, get your hands on a 4-pack of Boulevard Tank 7.

 

Every season is a good season to branch out and try new things. If you want to take it slow at first and stay in the red wine realm maybe try something other than Pinot Noir. There are a number of nice Merlots and Cabernets out there but everyone has those. If you'd like to try a red wine that is less regularly consumed in the U.S. (assuming you're in the U.S. of course) I would point you to an Amarone. For example, this http://www.wine-searcher.com/find/gerardo+cesari+docg+amarone+della+val…</a">one. (Not specifically the 2011 though, but Cesari Amarone in general.) Amarone is a full bodied red wine that's slightly spicy. It's very nice with red meats.

If you would like to branch off into liquors maybe first try something like cognac (also called brandy), which is made from grapes. A nice cognac can be very smooth and appealing for an after dinner drink. It's my personal favorite for sitting outside with a fire. Cognacs can get expensive but if you have the money try a Courvoisier or Remy Martin VSOP or XO, XO being the more expensive one. Port (sweet, fortified wine) also makes a nice after dinner drink. It's also underappreciated these days. At least in the U.S.

My favorite realm though is scotch. If you are primarily a wine drinker, scotch will be harsh at first. Try a somewhat sweeter and less complex one like a Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban (finished in ex-port casks). Remember the Amarone from earlier? The Arran distillery also has a nice, not too expensive single malt that is finished in ex-amarone casks. It's a nice balance between a typical American oak aged scotch and a sherry cask aged or finished scotch.

"Successful investing is anticipating the anticipation of others". - John Maynard Keynes
 

A dark, boozy beer is perfect for the colder days. Try Rochefort 8 & 10 if you can find some, expensive but delicious.

 
"Punchey"

Best way to retain all the great memories you will create with your in-laws and extended family.

SB for the laugh.

Director of Finance and Corporate Development: 2020 - Present Manager of FP&A and Corporate Development: 2019 - 2020 Corporate Finance, Strategy and Development: 2011 - 2019 "An investment in knowledge pays the best interest." - Benjamin Franklin
 

Laphroaig lore is pretty tasty, bang for buck their 18 is awesome if you like peaty scotch, also Talisker distillers edition, beer Sierra Nevada northern hemisphere and celebration, never go wrong with an old fashioned.....I really don't discriminate when it comes to booze

 

Basque Cider is one of my all-time favorite drinks; nothing better than heading to a sagardotegia (cider house) in the basque country with friends, drinking tons of cider and eating chuletas the size of a grown man's forearm. But unfortunately it's almost impossible to find outside of the Basque Country/ Asturias in Spain.

In lieu of this, I would recommend whiskey - specifically, Lagavulin Scotch. It's smokey, smooth, and warms the body immediately upon impact... love that stuff.

 

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