Way back in the Middle Ages, during the holidays, spices, instead of hops, were added to beer to add flavor. That tradition reemerged in the 1900's, and is the inspiration behind many holiday beers on the market today. Great Lakes Christmas Ale ($12) is one of many in a crowded market, but manages to separate itself with its unique recipe and flavor profile. Christmas Ale is brewed with honey and spiced with fresh ginger and cinnamon, providing a tasty gift that belongs under the tree of every craft beer enthusiast.

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Goose Island Bourbon County Barleywine Beer

For shoppers, Black Friday means waking up early and standing in line awaiting the best bargains on Christmas gifts. For beer dorks, there may be lines and even some early wake up calls, but it's not bargains we pursue, it's Bourbon County. Bourbon County Barleywine ($20) is one of the newest offerings in an already famous line of barrel aged beers released by Goose Island brewing. The first four packs will hit store shelves on Black Friday, and those lucky enough to purchase some will be treated to a 12.1% English-style Barleywine aged in the third-use barrels that were once home to Kentucky bourbon and then Bourbon County Stout.

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Shiner Holiday Cheer Beer

If you were wondering what the holiday season in Texas tastes like, look no further than Shiner Holiday Cheer ($9) from Spoetzl Brewing. It might not stand out amongst the sea of holiday themed brews lining your bottle shop shelves, but it's an underrated gem worthy of your attention. In the same way that the holidays are a little different in the Lone Star State, Holiday Cheer is a little different than most beer released during the season. It's a Dunkelweizen brewed with Texas peaches and roasted pecans, providing some sweetness along with a subtle, nutty finish. A great way to break up the monotony of typical Christmas beers and enjoy a taste of Texas.

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Fireside Chat Beer

There's nothing quite like the holiday season, mostly because of the unique beer releases that make their way to bottle shop shelves. 21st Amendment Brewing in San Fransisco agrees, and treats us with Fireside Chat ($12) to help usher in the season. Just like the depression-era radio addresses FDR used to churn out, this spiced winter ale is both warming and illuminating. It's a dark English-style ale with a nice balance of spices that bring to mind vanilla, nutmeg and caramel malt. A flavorful, comforting beverage for any winter evening.

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Featured Gear Question

Mack Weldon Smart Underwear

For the design team at Mack Weldon, "wearable technology" is much more than just the latest buzzword. It's the brand's DNA. These guys spent over 10,000 hours supercharging their collection of underwear, t-shirts and socks. To start, they engineered their own fabric: super-soft 18-hour jersey. Next came features like a no-roll waistband, mesh cool zones and stay-put legs. The result: underwear that, like you, never give up. And yes, shopping is easy at mackweldon.com. Simple selection, volume pricing and amazing service. Not satisfied? They'll cover your first pair. No buzzwords required.

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Stone Crime & Punishment Beer

Sometimes, there is a certain amount of extra testosterone required to eat intensely hot chili peppers. And it might take even more to tip back a bottle of one of Stone Brewing's new fiery beers Crime and Punishment ($18). Stone co-founder Greg Koch started with barrel aged Lukcy Basartd (correct spelling) and Double Bastard, and then dumped a variety of estate-grown chile peppers into the beer. The results are two ruthless, sweat-inducing beverages that are not for the faint of heart. This is the first time Stone is nationally distributing beer from their limited Stone Quingenti Millilitre Series, so keep an eye out, if you can stand the heat.

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Founders Backwoods Bastard Beer

As temperatures begin to plummet and most of us are suddenly coping with less sunlight, we start to crave beer with some more malt and warmth to cap off an evening. One of the best candidates to fill this void is Backwoods Bastard ($15) from Founders Brewing. It's a Scotch Ale, an already full bodied and strong style, but this bastard has another trick up its sleeve. Aged in bourbon barrels, this seasonal offering delivers vanilla, butterscotch and bourbon scents and flavors. So put another log on the fire tonight and settle in with this 10.2% treat.

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Funky Buddha No Crusts PB&J Beer

In the ever expanding world of craft brewing, it's not easy to have a unique offering anymore. Extreme recipes are copied, and trending styles are suddenly being brewed everywhere. But at Funky Buddha Brewery in Florida, they have a one-of-a-kind on their hands with No Crusts Peanut Butter & Jelly Brown Ale ($12). We love a good PB&J, and we love beer, but it didn't sound like two things that would mingle well. Well they not only mingle well, but taste perfect together in this incredibly well balanced brew. The distinct aroma of creamy peanut butter and sweet jam come through in the taste as well, but the previously mentioned balance makes this much more than a novelty sampler.

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Beachwood Brewing Udder Love Beer

If the flavors you crave when you reach for a stout include a little dairy, then look no further than Udder Love ($8) from Beachwood Brewing in California. Udder Love is said to be a traditional milk stout, but with rich flavors like bittersweet chocolate, milk sugar, and roasty coffee, it's probably a new tradition for most. One tradition that is quite common though, is how often this beer brings home awards, including a Silver this year at the Great American Beer Festival in the Sweet Stout category. It's a gentle, delicate beer that finishes like a tasty glass of coffee chocolate milk.

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The Bruery Windowsill Beer

There are plenty of gimmicky craft beers hitting store shelves these days, and sadly, not very many of them live up to their unique descriptions. Windowsill ($20) from The Bruery however, is one of the rare exceptions. The idea hit KCRW's Good Food host Evan Klieman after enjoying a homemade Rhubarb Raspberry Pie, and a collaboration was born. Specialty grains were chosen to mimic the crust, and rhubarb and raspberries were used during stages of the brewing process. It has a tart fruit taste, a bit of pie crust malt, and a delicately masked 10.5% ABV.

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Jolly Pumpkin Autumn Fire Beer

During the fall season, the beer market gets flooded with pumpkin beers. And the thing is, most of them aren't very good. But the season does call for some variance when it comes to style and Jolly Pumpkin Autumn Fire ($14) is a perfect change of pace. Brewed with chestnuts and spices before aging in oak barrels, the taste is quite the companion for a fall evening, with smooth caramel notes, subtle fall spices, and a touch of tartness. It's quite possibly the best autumn beer that has nothing to do with pumpkins.

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The Oracle Beer

If you crave hop intensity and prefer a trusted source, The Oracle ($20) from Bell's Brewery certainly fits the bill. This West Coast style double IPA is clean, resinous, and incredibly aromatic. You won't find much balance with this beer, but we aren't complaining, because it's all about the hops, and the 10% ABV packs a wallop as well. A drink that should be in every hopheads future.

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Birra Fresca Cucumber Mint IPA Beer

Summer is winding down in many parts of the US, but that doesn't mean a crisp, refreshing beer isn't on our minds. Mint and cucumber are both regularly associated with refreshment, but rarely are they associated with beer. R & B Brewing Company out of Vancouver, Canada decided to take on this refreshment challenge, and have exceeded our expectations, and enlivened our palates as well. Birra Fresca Cucumber Mint IPA ($8) uses over 200 cucumbers that were sourced locally along with their mint. It's a fresh, clean, IPA to sip on in a comfortable chair as you wave farewell to summer.

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Kentucky Ryed Chiquen Beer

When you travel the world, the thing most people associate with the great state of Kentucky is, you guessed it, fried chicken. Against The Grain Brewery is based in Louisville, so they know a thing or two about that reputation and have brewed a more than interesting tribute called Kentucky Ryed Chiquen ($12). This unique offering was brewed with rye malt and caramel rye from Germany, and was later placed in Redemption Rye barrels where it aged, soaking up just enough rye whiskey flavors. But don't worry, you won't taste chicken when you drink it, just a smooth barrel aged beer that even Colonel Sanders might have enjoyed, chicken feathers and all (which just happen to come stuck to every bottle).

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Prairie Bomb Beer

If you haven't heard of the upstart craft brewery based in Oklahoma called Prairie Artisan Ales, it's about time you became familiar. Prairie has some of the better Farmhouse / Saisons on the market already, and now they've dipped their toes into the Imperial Stout pool. Prairie Bomb! ($8) is a 14% Imperial Stout aged on coffee, cacao nibs, vanilla beans, and chili peppers. It's a rich, luscious experience with a faint chili pepper kick on the tail end. This one is as good as it sounds, so you might want to get out in front of stout season and pick up some Prairie Bomb! before it's gone.

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Rockmill Dubbel Beer

Belgians are known around the world for their brewing expertise. One thing that sets the Abbeys and the Trappists apart is the water they use to make their fine brews. Well it just so happens that the water on a small farm in Ohio is nearly identical to that of Wallonia, Belgium, where Belgian Ale originated. Rockmill Brewing took advantage, setting up their brewery on a small farm plot nearby and are creating some fantastic Belgian beers. Included in the small collection is their take on the Belgian Dubbel ($14). A few sips of this sweet, malty gem will have you asking for more, and wondering if you aren't drinking something straight from Belgium.

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Dogfish Head 120 Minute IPA Beer

When it comes to well known craft breweries, there are few with a reputation and reach equal to Dogfish Head Brewery. The Delaware-based brewers are craft pioneers and have never been afraid to push the boundaries of beer styles. By now you've likely met their 60 Minute IPA or their 90 Minute IPA, but you may not have had an encounter with big brother 120 Minute IPA ($12) yet. Dogfish has been brewing this beast for over a decade, but the supply is always limited, and those with access aren't always up to the challenge. If you crack one open fresh, it's less of a hop bomb than you might expect initially, but the IBU intensity will sneak up and bash your palate at some point during a tasting. Grab a couple bottles if you can, share with a friend or set some aside to age like a fine wine.

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Rhinegeist Saber Tooth Tiger Beer

The brewing history in our hometown of Cincinnati goes way back. Combine that history with our current beer soaked culture and some special things can happen. Rhinegeist Brewing is one of the newest additions to a growing craft scene in Cincy, and their newest creation is called Saber Tooth Tiger ($15). The double IPA hits with a full bouquet of citrusy hop aroma after it pours an inviting amber colored nectar. It's a smooth criminal taste wise, with plenty of flavor and just enough Saber Tooth hop bite that finishes crisp and clean. But don't be fooled, at 95 IBU, this is a palate wrecker that will have your tongue tingling after a session. Hunt down a growler before it goes the way of the Saber Tooth Tiger.

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Epic Big Bad Baptist Beer

A brewery like Epic Brewing in Utah have some challenges other breweries don't have to mess with. The alcohol laws in the state are quite prohibitive, forcing the brewers to be creative when it comes to the amount of alcohol that makes its way into their beers. But the 11% plus ABV badass that is Big Bad Baptist Imperial Stout ($14) kicks through the door of many restrictions, regardless of your proximity. It's brewed with cocoa nibs and whole coffee beans, and is then placed in whiskey barrels before bottling. Every batch varies a bit, and isn't easy to come by, so hunt down a bottle now and enjoy a truly Epic stout.

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