At long last, I’m excited to announce that in 2021 I’ll be launching a weekly beverage & content pairing newsletter! To start us off, I’ll be sending out a daily festive beer pairing while counting down some of my favorite Christmas movies.

On the 1st day of Christmas, Julia recommended to me…

Maple Creemee Shakedown from Four Quarters Brewing (Winooski, VT)

and

Elf (2003)!

This pairing is a total no-brainer for my first boozeletter since it features one of my all-time favorite films alongside one of my all-time favorite breweries! Plus, according to Buddy the Elf, maple syrup is one of the four main food groups.

Maple Creemee Shakedown is a Milkshake IPA with lactose, Hallertau Blanc hops, vanilla, and maple syrup with a 7% ABV. Have you ever wanted to drink a waffle? That’s what this beer is like. Light and fluffy, this brew has a perfect balance of creamy sweetness and hoppy bitterness. Four Quarters’ Shakedown series is a great example of how to do trendy Milkshake IPAs without overdoing it on the lactose.

It’s no secret that I absolutely love Elf, even when tisn’t the season. It’s wholesome, joyful fun for the whole family! This Christmas movie has everything: a charming love story, an undercurrent of a subtle Grinch motif, a lovable protagonist, a festive sing-along scene, a snowy New York City, and…the Lincoln Tunnel!

Since Maple Creemee Shakedown is definitely out of season and/or out of stock, another fab seasonal release from Four Quarters is their winter warmer, Buffalo Plaid! A 9% ABV holiday spiced beer featuring sweet orange peel, nutmeg, and cinnamon, these bad boys are just begging you to sip ‘em while snuggled up under a blanket by the fireplace. Ideal for wrapping up a day of festive activities like making snow angels for two hours, ice skating, and eating a whole roll of cookie dough as fast as you can!

An exclusive behind the scenes photo of a new Four Quarters arrival at The Wine Press where, famously, I know the beer guy. This new Fluffer Nutter spin on Four Quarters’ Chocolate Drop is an Imperial milk stout with chocolate, peanut butter, marshmallows, and bananas with a 9% ABV. A strong, hefty bev that matches the delicious chaotic energy of Buddy’s iconic breakfast spaghetti!

Can’t find any Four Quarters in your area? Any coffee stout or porter will also be a perfect pairing with Elf as it alludes to Buddy’s “syrup”-enhanced hijinks in the Empire State Building mailroom!
Fun fact: the mailroom scenes in Elf were filmed in an abandoned insane asylum—this feels strangely appropriate in the year of our Lord 2020.

Happy holidays ya filthy animals!