Before we put 2020 behind us, we at Better on Draft want to highlight our favorite drinks from December 2020 before flipping the calendar and focusing on all that is good in 2021.
Check out our favorites from the month! Beers and drinks are listed in alphabetical order by team member’s name.
Superfluid ~ Bill
Short’s Brewing Company (Bellaire, MI) |IPA – Imperial/Double | 9.1%
“Many people consider the arrival of Bell’s Brewery‘s Oberon as an indication of the coming spring and summer. I’ve found over the last couple of years that the arrival of Short’s Brewing Company‘s Juicy Tree was the sign of the arrival of winter. Since Juicy Tree was limited to mixed boxes this year, I decided to pick another Short’s brew, Superfluid.
Superfluid is an American Double IPA that started with a fruity, tropical flavor. It had a nice, hoppy middle and ended with a piney, resiny finish. It was thick, but not too heavy, and was perfectly carbonated. I’m happy calling Superfluid my December beer pick!”
It’s Frustrating! ~ Dan
Tombstone Brewing Company x Bottle Logic Brewing (Tombstone, AZ & Anaheim, CA) | Barleywine – English | 12%
“A perfect way to cap off 2020 was with a collaboration beer between Tombstone Brewing Company and Bottle Logic Brewing named It’s Frustrating! This rich, malty English Barleywine clocked in at a meager 12% and was perfect chilled or at room temperature. This made it the perfect beverage for those cold dark winter nights.”
Decadent Dark Chocolate Ale ~ Dani
Atwater Brewery (Detroit, MI) | Brown Ale – English | 5%
“My beer of the month for December 2020 was Atwater Brewery‘s Decadent Dark Chocolate Ale. What was it? I have no idea! The bottle said “malt beverage” and that didn’t really answer anything for me but it doesn’t actually matter because this was like a liquid dessert. I’m not much for sweets, but the chocolate deliciousness of this beer(?) may have changed my mind. It was rich, smooth, and, surprisingly, easy to drink for being so chocolatey. Oh – and it was only 5% ABV! I guess that makes this a session dessert beer. That’s a thing, right?!”
Flying Buffalo BA Chocolate Marshmallow Almond ~ Ed
Griffin Claw Brewing Company (Birmingham, MI) | Stout – Russian Imperial | 12%
“After listening to Episode 244 of Better on Draft with Griffin Claw’s Kyle VanDeveter and Angela Seefriend, I wanted to get my hands on the OG Flying Buffalo and all its variants for 2020. Fortunately, the brewery put together a mixed 6-pack that allowed me to try them all! I was thankful for this option and found the Barrel Aged Chocolate Marshmallow Almond my favorite. The namesakes (chocolate, marshmallow, and almond) went in a surprising taste note order that was smooth then sweet then nutty. All of these flavors melded well with the strong bourbon barrel too. As the Russian Imperial Stout warmed each sip was cherished as this was the best of Griffin Claw‘s Flying Buffalo variants for 2020, in my opinion!”
Gumballhead ~ Ken
3 Floyds Brewing Co (Munster, IN) | Wheat Beer – American Pale Wheat | 5.6%
“When the opportunity to get out of state to grab beers, Gumballhead from 3 Floyds Brewing Co is easily one of the ones that I must get. It is a wheat beer that clocks in at 5.6% and is great for easy drinking. The lemony finish makes you want more! There is a reason this is the #3 ranked American Wheat Pale, so when you can get it, you should get it!”
Ultimate Cherry Coke ~ Rob
Schramm’s Mead (Ferndale, MI)
Rob’s favorite drink from December was his concoction of the Ultimate Cherry Coke. It was made up of The Statement from Schramm’s Mead on ice with a bottle of Mexican cane sugar Coca-Cola and Woodford Reserve Bourbon Cherries.
Alexander ~ Weasel
Brouwerij Rodenbach (Roeselare, Belgium) | Sour – Flanders Red Ale | 5.6%
“Alexander is a Flanders Red by Rodenbach Brewery in Roeselare, Belgium. Originally brewed in 1986, this ale honored the 200th anniversary of the birth of Alexander Rodenbach, co-founder of the brewery and spiritual father of Rodenbach’s sour foeder beers. Alexander is comprised of one-third young beer and two-thirds beer aged in oak foeders and steeped with natural sour cherry juice. This sour ale balances wonderfully with the fruit. It presents subtle touches of the oak while producing a complex finish, not unlike Burgundy wine.”
The Mad Elf Grand Cru ~ Wendy
Tröegs Independent Brewing (Hershey, PA) | Belgian Strong Dark Ale | 11%
“Every year I travel to Ohio for Mad Elf from Tröegs Independent Brewing. It’s my favorite beer of all and I’m not sure why. Normally I’m a stout girl, but I do love a Belgian and those cherries make it oh so good. How could it be better? Apparently, there is a “Director’s Cut” that includes Tart Balaton Cherries and I’ve been told they make all the difference. When I’ve traveled to Ohio for Mad Elf, this “Director’s Cut” known as Mad Elf Grand Cru has been sold out. For the first time in 2020, I got my hands on it. It did not disappoint.
I know I should have shared it, but it was the end of 2020, so … rather than champagne I decided it was a Grand Cru night. I’d already chosen to stay home for New Year’s Eve which was new for me (even though I was strong armed to go on Zoom for the ball drop). This beer pours a deep ruby color. While the first sip gives you a slight sour taste, the rest is just delicious. Let me tell you, I will do my damnedest to get to Ohio before this sells out again. It’s on my favorite list forever.”
Cheers!
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