A sold out crowd attended the 2018 Brew Ho Ho Holiday Ale Festival this past Saturday (December 8) for a dazzling party. Santa Claus, seasonal craft beer, food, music, games and weather all came together for a holly, jolly good time.
Hosted at The Phoenix Club in Anaheim, the 2018 Brew Ho Ho was extremely well organized and managed – including security. The facilities provided easy access, ample space, generous seating and picnic tables, and sufficient restrooms. Outdoor water coolers dispensed chilled water throughout the day.
Attendees were encouraged to wear festive Christmas attire. Ugly Christmas sweaters, colorful stockings, ornaments, and flashing lights adorned many in the crowd.
And best of all the event raised funds for local charity Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Orange County. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Orange County was founded in 1958 and is one of the national organization’s top mentoring agencies in the country, serving more than 3,300 children each year.
Craft Beer and Food
The 2018 Brew Ho Ho Holiday Ale Festival featured over 50 different breweries and more than 125 different craft beers and ciders. Many of the beers were winter seasonal brews. Attendees were treated to unlimited 2 ounce tastings.
Four beers that jingled my bells were:
- Beard Envy Coconut Pecan Imperial Stout (10.1% ABV): A Brew Ho Ho and Docent Brewing collaboration, Beard Envy was the featured festival seasonal craft beer. This imperial stout delivered rich coffee and chocolate flavors complemented by just the right touch of coconut and pecans.
- Mega Powers Gingerbread Stout (10% ABV): Created by Bottle Logic Brewing, this magnificent beer evoked visions of Christmas with its delightful flavors of chocolate, molasses, ginger, cinnamon, allspice, clove and nutmeg. Santa Claus would love to get his hands on this beer and take some back to the North Pole.
- Pugachev’s Cobra 2018 (15% ABV): Created by Hangar 24 Brewing, this powerful, seasonal brew is aged in bourbon barrels and delivers an amazingly complex drinking experience. Its thick caramel head bursts with aromas of chocolate, vanilla, oak, bourbon, licorice and dark fruits, while flavors of chocolate-covered plum, sweet malt, bourbon, and roasted coffee explode on your palate.
- Liquid Mistletoe 2018 (10% ABV): Pizza Port Brewing’s Liquid Mistletoe is a traditional Belgian style Tripel Ale. Complex flavors of sweet bread, cracker, and spice make this delicious beer perfect for your holiday season.
Food trucks provided a wide variety of fare. I dined on some delicious lobster tacos by Cousins Maine Lobster.
Music
Featured band Fast Times blew the lid off and doubled the festival energy. Playing covers of 80’s hits, the band had the crowd dancing, singing and roaring. They played hits from Van Halen, Metallica, The Clash, AC/DC, Beastie Boys, and numerous other bands.
Final Thoughts – 2018 Brew Ho Ho
Next year, when you make your list and check it twice be certain to include a trip to the Brew Ho Ho Holiday Ale Festival. You’ll have a really nice time being a little naughty.