Day 23 of the 4th Annual Advent-ure Calendar

Day 23: Thirsty Dog Brewing Company 12 Dogs of Christmas Ale

We’re almost at the end! We made the decision to save 12 Dogs for the end because if we had to pick an overall group favorite, this would probably be it. The description is simple: “spiced for the holidays with honey, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and Santa’s secret recipe.” Oh and did we mention this is beer one of two from Thirsty Dog on the list?!

Reflections

Beard & Broad
Beard: Another Cleveland Christmas classic! I always found this one to be a bit spicier than its Great Lakes counterpart and this year is no different. 12 Dogs and Christmas Ale are the most similar in terms of spiced holiday beers, and while they’re not technically my favorite local selections this time of year, they are the OG’s and they deserve respect. I definitely get more of a spice bite in this than GLBC so this isn’t a beer I could drink all night, but it doesn’t change the fact that it’s a local classic and always deserves a place at the holiday table and in the Holiday Advent-ure Calendar.

Broad: So happy to finally get to this one! This is my favorite Christmas ale because frankly it tastes like Christmas. It’s the most “spicy” out of all of them but the spice flavor is just so good. I taste a lot of ginger, nutmeg, and cinnamon. It’s not overly sweet and it’s not too dry. If you are newer to Christmas ales I would say don’t try this one first because it may intimidate you.  I look forward to this one every year because it always tastes the same and always tastes like Christmas.

Adam & Alex
Adam: What a perfect winter beer. I sound like a broken record but this is flawlessly balanced. Not too much cinnamon. A great amount of ginger and nutmeg and notes of honey and cherries combine with a strong amount of booze to warm even the coldest of Scrooge hearts. We drink this forever.

Alex: I love Thirsty Dog Twelve Dogs.   It is one of my favorite Christmas beers, actually maybe my favorite.  It’s just a perfect blend of the spices, honey and booze that hits the spot every time.  This will always be in our winter beer arsenal. The bells are ringing out for Christmas Day!

Scott & Christa
Scott: There’s been a lot of competition this year.  In fact, I think the Ohio beers are actually the best-tasting group of Christmas brews we’ve had in our three years of participating.  I was fully expecting that today I would be crowning my victor as the Thirsty Dog 12 Dogs of Christmas and here’s what I’ve learned:  It’s very similar to Great Lakes Christmas Ale and Fat Head’s Holly Jolly.  It’s a little less bite than Christmas Ale and a little less malty than Holly Jolly.  But I don’t know if that makes it better or worse than the others!  It’s a fantastic Christmas beer and could easily be considered the best one.  But that’s the beauty of this month-long tasting…sometimes it just depends on your mood and what you’re looking forward to on a particular day.  I would be ecstatic to have any of the three beers mentioned in my fridge for the holiday season and that’s why I always do every year.  Variety is important and so is a freaking delicious Christmas beer.

Christa: I love that we waited until the end for this one, it deserves the anticipation. It’s what other Christmas ales aim to achieve and often fail at; it’s the perfect amount of sweet with that little bite right at the end. I always get the cinnamon and honey with this one and the balanced mix of ginger. It’s not over done, it’s not over the top. it’s truly one of the best. What I’ve learned in this whole experience is that Ohio knows beers, Ohio knows GOOD beer and I am so proud to call it home and reside in the King city (Cincy you’re still the Queen!). One more to go and 12 Dogs at the close ensure there’s no burn out. Looking forward to one more day!

Tony & Megan
Tony: I know this is a favorite among some members of the group and for good reason. Its full of the holiday spice flavors you look for in a Christmas beer. Lots of cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger. Its over 8% alcohol but doesn’t taste too boozy. Very well balanced. For my particular taste, if I had to choose between this one and Great Lakes, I would choose Great Lakes because its not quite as heavy on the spices this year. But this one is still very good and I enjoy it every year.

Megan:  We are on a steady stream of YES right now! 12 dogs and Great Lakes Christmas ale are so similar. I think 12 dogs has more ginger and nutmeg so it’s spicier but it still maintains a good level of sweetness. I would say that I prefer Great Lakes this year but it’s a close race.