On the 5th day of Christmas, Julia recommended to me…

Palmovka 12 from Schilling Beer Co. (Littleton, NH)

and

The Polar Express (2004)!

When I first saw this can (read: when the Wine Press’ beer guy who I “know” texted me a picture of this can) of Pilsner from Schilling Brewing Company, I knew I’d have to pair it with The Polar Express. Scroll on to see why!

Palmovka 12 is a Czech-style Pilsner with a 5.5% ABV that is brewed with all Czech-sourced ingredients. Just look at that NUMTOT-approved label! Palmovka 12 has plenty of tracks on which the Polar Express can travel. Sipping on this Pilsner evokes munching on a crunchy slice of buttered sourdough toast. If you’re ever looking for a faithfully-made European-style brew, Schilling will never do you wrong!

Okay, hot take: The Polar Express is low-key a thriller. It could be the uncanny valley-ass animation, or the high-octane heist energy that comes from children sprinting across the top of moving train during a blizzard while being pursued by the train’s conductor (Tom Hanks) for stowing away without a ticket?! Also, wait, was it about racism…? The more I think about this movie the more confused I am.

Graft Cider’s Shared Universe series features their collaborations with breweries, wineries, and meaderies. Red Spacecar is a collaboration with Stillwater Brewing. This 6.9% ABV gluten-free cider is made with New York apples, Cabernet Franc grape skins, Pacific Gem hops, and wild yeast aged in French oak barrels. This cider has a zippiness that calls to mind Sour Patch Kids. I want to drink this cider as a slushy; it reminds me of drinking a cherry slushy at the fair when you get to the bottom and you’ve exhausted the bulk of your sugar syrup supply. And, honestly, what is Santa’s sleigh but a big ol’ red spacecar?

Wicked Weed Brewing’s German Chocolate Cake from their Guilty Pleasures Variety Pack is a 8.8% ABV Imperial stout made with chocolate and coconut. Appropriately enough, this brew tastes just like one of those chocolate and coconut truffles that you’d find in a box of Valentine chocolates. Hey, maybe if you believe strongly enough you might just find one in your pocket right now! Did it work? Again, this movie and its unique parameters for Christmas magic continue to baffle me.

Can’t find any Schilling, Graft, or Wicked Weed in your area? Pour yourself a toasty mug of hot chocolate, just like you’d be served on the Polar Express. Or, if you simply must have a beer (I get it), there’s no shortage of s’mores-inspired stouts on the shelves these days that might hit the same chocolatey spot!

Happy holidays ya filthy animals!