Now that we are past the final holiday hurdle, we can all focus on Christmas beers. One way to celebrate the season is with Winter Warmer ales. One place to celebrate the bounty of holiday ales is in Carson at . If you know anything about the new-ish Carson brewery, they like the dark side, so no Santa here. December 6, they celebrate with Krampus. AKA the Anti-Santa.

For those on the nice list you will be able to sample from more than 30 winter ales. You can follow the Carriage’s social media to see the exact list, but they have promised, “From Belgians and Barleywines to Stouts and Sours, these beers are rich, robust and full of complex flavors. Plus mulled wine, mulled cider, and festive treats (authentic Czech & German/Austria sweets) from our café.”

The wonderful quirk of Christmas beers is that there is really no style restriction at all. It can be an IPA (Celebration from Sierra Nevada), it can change every year (Anchor Holiday Ale) or literally be anything. A Christmas-centric tasting gives you the chance to see what the holiday inspires in brewers.

There is also a rumor that the Krampus himself (not Donald Trump, no) will be making an appearance in the taproom. For sure, there will be holiday horror classics playing and other holiday fun to be had.

Doors open on at 12pm, and you can order tasting Packages of either 3, 6, & 9 beer samples of your choice.

One of my favorite beers of the holidays just might be on tap at the Krampus party. St.Bernardus Christmas Ale is a Belgian dark ale. Their seasonal Quadrupel style is amongst Belgium’s best Abbey Ales. According to the brewery, Christmas Ale “offers a spicy, mint-like flavor profile exuding the tastes of warming alcohol, fermented molasses, apricots, licorice and marzipan that are highlighted by the perfect balance of brewing sugars.”

This week’s Homework assignment is to check out a couple of new beer places to visit and get some bottles to go. December 5, Southland Beer is hosting a grand opening party in their Koreatown location after months of being “softly” open. Craft Beer Cellar – Eagle Rock is in that “soft” phase now and has a beautiful patio to lounge on with a beer from their tap list. Check their websites for open and shut times.