Leinenkugel's Fireside Nut Brown

Being a fan of good beers from Wisconsin and liking the other Leinenkugel's products, I gave the Fireside Nut Brown a try. The ale has a nice dark amber color body, that upon first sniff give off a strong roasted aroma. Hopefully a sign of good things to come. After the first taste, there was a slight nutty taste that quickly gave way to a caramel flavor that resembled eating either a caramel candy apple or a sundae with caramel and peanuts. I would consider this a perfect compliment to either apple pie or pecan pie to be enjoyed in a nice relaxing dinner or sitting in front of the fire.

Great Lakes-Christmas Ale

Continuing the holiday spirit, we travel up to Cleveland for the Great Lakes Christmas Ale. From the first sniff it does not have that strong of a odor, which to me is a good sign. It is a nice amber colored ale, that has a little caramel foam head. Upon first taste, it has a nice slight hop taste followed by an aftertaste of cinnamon and a bit of ginger. I would consider this a nice beer to sit and relax with in front of a Christmas tree.

Weyerbacher Winter Ale

Out of lovely Easton, Pa, we have the Weyerbacher Winter Ale. It has a nice dark body and a caramel colored foam head, like the Shiner Holiday Cheer. you can taste the richness of the ale. After a couple of snips, there is no apparent taste, just that it has a coffee like after taste after a few minutes. It is not one of my favorites.

Shiner Holiday Cheer

Being in the Holiday Spirit, we have Shiner Holiday Cheer, which is a nice dark German style wheat beer. Upon opening the bottle, it has a nice fruity aroma with a hint of peaches. When poured into a glass, it has a nice dark body and caramel covered foamy head. It has a strong peach taste that is surprisingly refreshing. In the after taste you can detect a little bit of pecans. This beer is nice for social gatherings or lounging around and watching the snowfall.

Long Trail-Hibernator

Long Trail - Hibernator is a winter seasonal ale. It has a nice rich amber color and has a pleasant malty aroma. It lacks bitterness and has a strong wheat and hoppy after taste. Hibernator reminds me of Sam Adams, of which I am not a big fan. It is rather bland with no flavor other than the hoppy after taste.

Church Brew Works-Celestial Gold

The Celestial Gold is a German style pilsner brewed at the Church Brew Works. With its nice golden color, there is a pleasant hoppy aroma, that welcomes you at first taste. It also has a nice malt flavor that makes a nice addition to the beer. This beer is brewed at the Church Brew Works and can be found in several distributors around the Pittsburgh Area.

Church Brew Works

Situated in an old Catholic Church in the Lawrenceville section of Pittsburgh, lies the Church Brew Works. Upon entering the church through its heavy wooden doors, patrons are greeted with the site of the brewing tanks located at the Alter, with a small pizza oven next to the alter. On one half of the church you have the bar or pub section and on the other side of the aisle you have the restaurant section with tables and booths throughout the section. The food is fantastic as I opted for the Pierogies appetizer and the Crab Cake dinner. I was tempted to get the Kobe Beef, but decided on the Crab Cakes that day. I will definitely go to church more often.