Alexandria, Virginia’s Port City Brewing does not yet send its beer to Georgia. That’s understandable, though, since they only came into existence in Januray of 2011. Thus, you can imagine my delight when a friend sent me a bottle of their Tidings Ale, the brewery’s first holiday offering. A new beer is always welcome; a new holiday beer doubly so.

Certainly, you would never mistake Tidings as holiday ale. The label is brightly festooned with a string of multi-colored Christmas lights, in a fashion that would make Clark Griswold proud. Can you see this bottle from space? Perhaps. The beer packs a potent little punch, too, at 7.8% alcohol by volume, perfect for taking the chill off of a cold winter evening. Drink more than a few of these and it won’t just be your Christmas Tree that’s brightly lit.

Tidings Ale is bight and refreshing like a Witbier but has, of course, a higher alcohol content than you would find in such a beer. There’s a complex yeast character about the beer, too, that’s quite enticing. The brewery calls it a Belgian Blonde and gives details in the following press reelase I found on Brewbound.com and Beernews.org:

Crafted by Head Brewer Jonathan Reeves, this strong Belgian style blond ale is made with local Maryland wildflower honey and Virginia wheat, and is gently spiced with coriander, cardamom, fresh ginger and grains of paradise. The limited production Tidings Ale is the second seasonal beer produced by Port City Brewing Company, and the first seasonal beer that will be available by the bottle. Tidings Ale is available in six-packs and on draft beginning December 1. The suggested retail price for the six pack is $11.99 and patrons can find it at the brewery’s Tasting Room, and on tap at select area restaurants and bars, as well as fine beer, wine and liquor retailers.

Port City Tidings Ale pours to a hazy yellow color with a light spritzy head formation and a very spicy ginger and citrus nose. Taking a sip, I get a light crackery palate with some wheat tartness, then spicy ginger, some pungent coriander, zesty citrus, and even some vanilla towards the finish. The honey adds a decided richness, and the beer finishes with funky yeastiness and a warming, almost jet-fuel alciohol warmth. The lighter body of this beer allows the alcohol warmth to assert itself in the finish, and will certainly put a glow on your holiday festivities-just like the festive lights on the label. 

This was my first beer from Port City, but if all of their beers are as good as this one, it most assuredly not be the last one I try.



Home