Holiday Ale Festival in Portland, Oregon - Cheers!

Beer aficionados from Clark County, WA will be heading over the river and through the woods to the Holiday Ale Festival at Pioneer Courthouse Square. The 17th annual beer fest gets under way Wednesday, November 28th and runs through Sunday, December 2nd.

The winter season bring many exciting tastes in the form of big, bold ales designed to fend off the chill of a cold night. Held in the heart of downtown Portland, attendees stay dry under a large clear tent top, and gas heaters keep things warm and cozy.

The fifty beers featured at the festival aren't the same variety you'll find a the local store or pub. Participating brewers have concocted special recipes specifically for this event. However, perhaps the best part of the Holiday Ale Festival are the names of the brews.

For example, here are a few of my favorites.

Frosty's Revenge - a milk stout with hints of molasses, toasted bread and raisins.
( 10 Barrel Brewing Co.)

Blitz and Prancer - a spiced Belgian-style ale with a robust and slightly sweet body. Notes of vanilla, cloves, cinnamon and nutmeg create a festive finish.  ( Gilgamesh Brewing Co.)

Milk and Cookies - a smooth milk stout brewed with chocolate and roast malts for a nutty flavor that's complimented by a taste of rum-soaked raisins. ( Lucky Labrador Brew Pub)

Very Ill Tempered Gnome - has a big wallop of malt and hops with a complex profile of caramel, light fruit and toasty nuts. ( Oakshire Brewing Co.)

Brrrbon Vanilla - rich oak and vanilla aromas dominate this imperial Red IPA - hints of dark chocolate and caramel. ( Widmer Brothers Brewing Co.)

Beer Lovers in Clark County WA - will cheer for the Holiday Ale Festival

Remember, in addition to the above five beers, there are 40 more ales to sample at the 2012 Holiday Ale Festival. Tickets are $30 and you must show proof of 21 with an ID. For more information you can visit the website at Holiday Ale Festial - Portland, OR. Cheers!