Chicagoist's "Beer of the Week:" Jolly Pumpkin Noel de Calabaza

By Chuck Sudo in Food on Dec 2, 2009 8:15PM

It's December, which means that the focus is on winter ales for "BotW." This week's selection was suggested by Local Beet editor Michael Morowitz at mado's mutton dinner last month. mado's a BYOB establishment, which allowed Morowitz and I to trade samples of our beers. Specifically, a pour of my Malheur Dark Ale in exchange for his Jolly Pumpkin Noel de Calabaza. This is a sweet spiced ale that contains all the flavors associated with Christmas: sugar plums, figs, raisins and hot buttered rum. It paired as well with all those mutton dishes than the Malheur and at 9 percent ABV, you drink a bottle of this and you'll be all lit up like a Christmas tree.

Noel de Calabaza is a seasonal selection, so it should be reaching liquor store shelves shortly. The Publican currently carries Noel de Calabaza for $32, according to Beer Menus Chicago, which is a great resource for finding any of our "BotW" selections.