Christmas Fridge - 2009

Last year at Christmas, I found myself surprised by the number of different beers that I had in our fridge and posted about it. I used to have lots of beer in the fridge but they were all the same kind. Last year I had seven different beers.

This year, there is even more variety ... 11 different beers, 12 if you count the two different years for the 2008 and 2009 Fullers Vintage Ale. The other English beer I have has now become a Christmas tradition, Wychwood's Bah Humbug.

I have only one beer from the U.S., Two Hearted Ale from Bells Brewery in Michigan. I had brought back a 24 of it from Pittsburgh when I was there recently.

From Quebec, I have a Griffon Extra Pale Ale from McAuslan Brewery. It is not a great beer but I had to try it as I am a huge fan of their St-Ambroise Oatmeal Stout.

Teena, who hails originally from the east coast, bought a half dozen Keith's, one of the few big brewery beers that I enjoy.

The rest of the brands are all from good ole Ontario. Two are from Black Oak Brewery , their fabulous Black Oak Pale Ale, and seasonal bottle conditioned, Summer Saison. Another two come from Great Lakes Brewery, which is just around the corner from Black Oak, the Seasonal Winter Ale and their terrific Devils 666 Pale Ale.

One of my favorite pilsners, Kings Pilsner from King Brewery just outside of King City, Ontario, sits on the shelf beside the Northumberland Ale, from Church-Key Brewing Company located in Campbellford, Ontario, which came to me as a Christmas present from my sister, Judy, and her husband, Doug. I will be trying it today as the Beer of the Week. Thanks, guys!!

All 11 brands are strategically placed in the fridge to allow sufficient room for food. In 2010, one of my goals is to get a beer fridge for the back room so Teena does not have to work around getting all the shopping fitted into the fridge around my beer.