By Mike Billy – Mid West Beer Blog
If you’re a beer drinker — and hey, if you’re reading this you probably are — you might be sick of ringing in the New Year with bubbly Champagne or sparkling wine.
Tradition tells us that Champagne is the drink of choice because, historically, it has been a sign of opulence and opulence dating back to King Clovis in the late fifth century. (Follow the link if you want to know more.)
But if, like me, you’re sick of Champagne, here are six beers to crack open on New Years Eve instead.
1) Brooklyn Brewery’s Local 1
This Belgian pale ale is the perfect alternative to that traditional bubbly beverage — and it’s the one I’ve opened the last several years at twelfth bell of the New Year. The highly carbonated beer is effervescent and straw colored, somewhat matching the aesthetic of Champagne. Plus, it’s corked and caged so there’s a pleasant pop when you open the bottle.
2) Firestone Walker’s Pivo Pils
If you’re looking for a beer with a little more hop character, but is still light a fizzy, try out a German Pilsner. Unlike their American or Czech counterparts, German Pilsners tend to have a more assertive hop flavor and bitterness. Firestone Walker’s Pivo Pils is a great example, along with Victory’s Prima Pils, and they’ll both look similar to Champagne in your glass.
3) Destihl Counter ClockWeisse
So you’re a sour beer fan? Try a Berliner Weiss, the refreshingly tart German sour beer. Hailing from Berlin, this style clocks in at around 4 or 5 percent alcohol so you won’t get too buzzed having a couple throughout the night. Plus, the sour quality can provide guests with a unique alternative to the tired Champagne and average beers that might be floating around.
4) Anderson Valley Blood Orange Gose
If you like a little bit of salt with your sour try a Gose, a light sour beer that also has its historical origins rooted in Germany. Anderson Valley adds Blood Oranges to this particular Gose, giving the beer a nice citrusy character. It’ll be a little darker than Champagne due to the fruit but it’s OK to stand out a little bit.
5) Orval Trappist Ale
Ah, the real Champagne of beers. Orval’s take on the Belgian pale ale is one of the best examples of the style you can find on American store shelves. The fruity esters from the Belgian yeast strains are balanced perfectly with a biscuity malt character and a light tartness produced by the unique wild yeast strain employed by the brewery. This beer has a true Champagne quality that tickles the tongue perfectly.
6) Sierra Nevada Narwhal Imperial Stout
It’s not just Champagne. You’re opposed to everything that’s light and fizzy? That’s OK. There are other beer styles for you. You can always go with a nice chocolaty porter. Or, if you want something a little stronger, try an imperial stout like Sierra Nevada’s Narwhal. Just be careful. This beer is a potent 10.2 percent alcohol. Sure, you’ll stand out like a sore thumb with a black beer in your glass among the sparkly pale Champagne. But at least you’re drinking something you enjoy.