Elysian Bifrost Winter Ale: A medium-bodied winter ale brewed with Munich and Cristal malts; bittered with Centennial, Amarillo, and Styrian Goldings hops. 6.25 ABV, 42 IBU’s. Malty, with good hop presence and a smooth mouth. $3.99/22oz.

High & Mighty Home for the Holidays, brewed in Belchertown, Massachusetts, by Will Shelton, formerly of Shelton Bros. Beer Imports. 7% ABV, oak-aged brown ale. $8.99/22oz.

Southern Tier Crème Brulee Imperial Stout, one of the most unusual beers I’ve tasted this year. 9.2% ABV, brewed with two-row pale and dark caramel malts, vanilla bean, and lactose sugar; in the kettle Columbus hops; for aroma, horizon. Dark brown with brown ochre head that lasts, massive nose of burnt sugar, vanilla, and caramel that saturates the palate and lingers on the end for what seems like forever. $8.59/22oz.

Pelican Perfect Storm barrel-aged Barleywine-style ale. Aged for four months in Evan Williams Bourbon barrels, ABV 13.5%, 40 IBU’s. Golden Promise, Munich, Melanoidan, and Caramel Malts and flaked Wheat; Magnum, Glacier, and Mt. Hood hops. $19.99/22oz.

Firestone Walker 13th Anniversary Ale, a blend of numerous barrel aged beers, many having spent two years or more in retired Bourbon, Rye, and Wine barrels before blending, and including barleywine, imperial stouts and imperial browns. 1,000 cases made. $24.99/22oz.

Just in! Pliny the Elder, $4.19/12oz. If you wait, you’re too late!

Our tasting schedule this week:

• Friday, Dec. 4, at 5 p.m. – Biere Ambree au Tarry Suchong, Brassiere BFM, Switzerland

• Saturday, Dec. 5, at 5 p.m. – J. Daan Winery

• Sunday, Dec. 6, at 5 p.m. – Elk Cove Vineyards