The holidays can be stressful. There’s the hunt to buy presents, the trials of wrapping those presents, full days cooking family feasts. After all of that, you need a beer. That's where CITY's resident beer expert Gino Fanelli comes in. Nothing says 'tis the season like his 24-day Advent calendar of regional beers to jolly up your December.
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Rohrbach
Scotch Ale
The godfather or Rochester craft. Roasted malts breed a comingling of coffee and dark cocoa. A classic for the first day of December.
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Three Heads
Rebel Soul
An otherwise unassuming brown ale is flanked by an obscene amount of coconut. Dessert-like, yet sessionable, an ideal Wednesday beverage as the weather cools.
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Resurgence
Sponge Candy
The addition of Watson’s Chocolates sponge candy gives a saccharine, toffee-like overtone to this Buffalo stout staple.
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K2
Jalapeno Cream Ale
A flagship brew adding a spicy twist on a Rochester classic style.
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Froth
Stardog
Truly excessive amounts of boysenberries and marshmallows turn this imperial IPA into a pulpy, alcoholic smoothie.
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Young Lion
Cranberry Berliner
Mulling spices and a last minute addition of cranberry make for a perfect turkey dinner pairing.
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Swiftwater
Is This Beer?
Additions of raspberries and limes to a light Berliner Weiss base create an easy-drinking delight for even the most beer-averse imbiber.
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Other Half
Mosaic Dream
A picturesque New England IPA brimming with punches of fresh mango and a touch of bitterness.
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Brindle Haus
Barleywine
Catch notes of raisins, blackberry preserves,
red wine, and caramel topped with a brilliant tinge of alcoholic warmth.
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Sager Beer Works
Porter
A true, no-frills English porter. Malty and rich with notes of caramel, cocoa, and toffee.
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Black is Beautiful
(multiple breweries)
Proceeds from this nationwide collaboration Imperial Stout goes to organizations fighting police brutality. Find versions from Swiftwater, Fifth Frame, Other Half, and many others.
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Iron Tug/
Embark Craft Ciderworks
Precious Cargo
A cidery sour packed with stone fruit and berry notes.
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Abandon
Brewing Beer
A simple, sessionable, and refreshing Vienna lager without a shred of pretense.
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Warhorse
Nitro Breakfast with Churchill
Glen Edith coffee and a dash of oatmeal are the right way to start a day.
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Southern Tier
2XStout
Sweet and dark with notes of dark chocolate and cold brew.
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Fifth Frame
Down
Rotating hop varieties punctuate this thick, hazy IPA series.
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Naked Dove
Windblown Amber
Embraces of malt sweetness offer notes of caramel, capped off with an herbal hop bite.
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Big Ditch
Make Me Wanna Stout
Easy drinking Buffalo stout with a light hint of dessert coffee goodness.
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Triphammer
Lil’ Dreamer
A caress of stone fruit lingers on the end of this mild white ale, complemented by delicate notes of spice.
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Thin Man
Pills Mafia
Light, sessionable Pilsner with a healthy dose of residual bitterness. A fitting game day companion from this Buffalo staple brewery.
Go Bills!
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Stoneyard
Peach Kolsch
This unassuming light Kolsch packs bready notes of yeast on a bed of fresh, ripe peaches.
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Lucky Hare
Live Action
This unheralded Finger Lakes brewery emphasizes Mosaic hops in this mild pale ale.
Find notes of melon, pineapple, and mango.
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Nine Maidens
Keukamir
Monstrous sour laden with additions of pineapple, guava, and lime. Savory, white wine-like characteristics juxtapose sharp fresh fruit notes.
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Genesee Beer
A timeless Rochester staple that has
seamlessly weathered the test of time.
Simple, unpretentious, and perfect Christmas Eve beverage.
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