[hermsman]

+100 Sierra Celebration is a fav of mine 2 cases so far this year and counting.

I also enjoy Anderson Valley Winter Solstice very much. I have even tried to clone it. I'm pretty close.

[jaybeerman]

Hibernation Ale, Celebration, Isolation Ale in that order

[tubercle]

A holiday beer is one that is enjoyed while sitting by a warm fire.
Hmmm...that's actually a very long list.

[dtblank]

Goose Island Christmas Ale, too bad it wasn't produced this year.  Second place would have to go to Celebration Ale.

[ethalacker]

I always look forward to Sweetwater's Festive Ale. 

[gordonstrong]

Sierra Nevada's Celebration isnt really a holiday beer, it's just an IPA.

Excuse me, but it most certainly is a holiday beer since it's only available at the holidays!  A "holiday beer" doesn't necessarily have to have spices and stuff in it.  I fond Celebration to be my favorite of all the holiday beers.

+1

A holiday beer is something that is a special season gift from the brewery to its customers.  SNCA certainly applies.  In Belgium, many of the seasonal offerings are just cranked up versions of their flagship beer, often a bit darker or fuller in body as well.  The BJCP guidelines cover a certain subset of these type of beers that fit a well-defined profile, but that doesn't mean that's all there is to those type of beers.

[Pawtucket Patriot]

To be honest, my winter warmer is my favorite!  But I really like Summit Winter Ale, SNCA, and Ridgeway Brewing's Bad Elf series. The latter of those are not spiced beers. Rather, they are moderate to high gravity English winter beers (think strong brown ale).

[roguenationpatriot]

The reason I discovered SN celebration was b/c in was in a specialty beer store, and some guy walked in and ask the clerk if they had any in stock.  They didn't have of it in stock and the walked out looking very disapointed.  Five minutes later another guy that had nothing to do with the first person walked in and asked for it again and reacted in much the same way.  Me and the clerk looked at each other and we were both thinking we needed to try some soon.

[Hydro]

I have never had the Celebration, and may not ever; although it amazes me that someone would consider an over hopped IPA the best Christmas ale. 

Not to ruffel any feathers.  It just does not compute!!!!

[denny]

I have never had the Celebration, and may not ever; although it amazes me that someone would consider an over hopped IPA the best Christmas ale.  

Not to ruffel any feathers.  It just does not compute!!!!

Why not?  I'd much rather have that than the weirdly spiced Anchor OSA.  And if you've never had it, how can you say it's over hopped?

[Hokerer]

Blue Mountain's Lights Out is a nice holiday ale

[jaybeerman]

I have never had the Celebration, and may not ever; although it amazes me that someone would consider an over hopped IPA the best Christmas ale.  
Not to ruffel any feathers.  It just does not compute!!!!

Why not?  I'd much rather have that than the weirdly spiced Anchor OSA.  And if you've never had it, how can you say it's over hopped?

Not to harp on robertwoodson (because I think I know what you're saying) but I did want to mention that this overhopped beer (Celebration) is hop perfection whereas I agree that some of the new overhopped beers have traded their flavor/drinkability for bragging rights (i.e. mine has more hops than yours).  If you haven't had celebration you should try it.  That said, I like OSA usually.

[beersk]

Sierra Nevada's Celebration isnt really a holiday beer, it's just an IPA.

Excuse me, but it most certainly is a holiday beer since it's only available at the holidays!  A "holiday beer" doesn't necessarily have to have spices and stuff in it.  I fond Celebration to be my favorite of all the holiday beers.

I wasn't aware that there was any excuse for you  

Celebration is damn good stuff.

[euge]

I just found out 2-Below isn't the best...

Just a hoppy Fat Tire.

[tschmidlin]

I'm really enjoying Winter Fish right now.  The other night it was Alaskan Winter.  Last week or two it was Doggie Claws.  Celebration is great, but I haven't this year's.  Which is best?  I don't know, it depends on my mood.