Bell’s Old Fashioned Holiday

The early 1960’s had so many nuances. First, it was a time when America was in a resurgence of style, change in musical ways, invention and celebration of being an American. Cars were becoming an important way of life and their design became a fashion statement. The space race was on and the economy was booming while folks celebrated success. Cocktail parties were common and drinking liquor among friends was the norm. Among so many other mixed drinks, the Old Fashioned was very popular. It was a mix of bourbon, bitters (extracts of grasses, roots, leaves and fruits) along with a bit of sugar on ice to make a sultry cocktail enjoyed by so many. Although those days fade into our memories, they are not forgotten.
When you think back to holidays you might have enjoyed, more than likely they were centered around friends and family. And because we are coming up to the holiday season of Thanksgiving, I thought it would be nice to examine a few beers that might add to your holiday enjoyment. So this issue and next are going to be dedicated to two very nice brews that will add to your festivities. Let’s investigate the first from our friends at Bell’s Brewery.
By 1980, Larry Bell had acquired a part time job at Sarkozy Bakery while at Kalamazoo College in Michigan, where he learned about yeast and fermentation. He soon was home brewing and opened a small home-brew supply store. In 1985, he commercially sold his first beer and by the next year he had distributed 135 barrels to thirsty fans. By 1990, Bell’s was distributing outside of the Michigan border to surrounding states. By 2001, they needed so much more space for production that they purchased and built Bell’s Comstock Brewery. 2011 saw a major investment into a live music beer hall, enlarged beer garden and food provisions. Their success and growth continues simply because of the passion of one man. You can read much more about their story and beer at BellsBeer.com

Bell’s Old Fashioned Holiday is bourbon barrel aged scotch ale with orange peel and cherry flavoring. It is essentially Bell’s Christmas Ale with a twist. A scotch ale by definition is a malty and rich drink with caramel overtones. Bell’s amplifies the spice and wintery goodness of this drink to remind you of those days when cocktails were so plentiful. You can enjoy it now or cellar it for a few years to allow its goodness to further emerge. With a deep ruby color and bourbon boozy aroma, Old Fashioned pretty much covers the cocktail version especially with its orange and cherry. Tastes are complex and cover many different dark fruits. Lastly, this beer does not have to be 37° to enjoy; in fact it’s better at 55° to gain the true goodness the brewer intended you to perceive. And at 10.8% ABV, this beer can be paired with turkey, beef or other hearty foods.
BeerAdvocate.com hasn’t officially rated but lots of contributors agree that Bell’s has created something amazing. Find your 12 ounce four packs of Old Fashioned Holiday at Case-n-Keg, Meredith as well as other fine beer providers. We will see you next week with the second half of this holiday preparation.