Good Pours at the Holiday Ale Fest

There are no absolutes in the subjective realm of taste.  “Good” moves along a sliding scale, depending on our preferences.  So consider the following beers provisional recommendations.  But you knew that, right?

• For me, the pick of the fest was Gigantic’s Red Ryder BB Gun, a cranberry-infused saison.  The fruit choice was inspired: cranberries both offer a note of acid but also a fruitiness, so that the contrasting favorable qualities of the yeast–esters and attenuated dryness–are both accented.  With all the heavy, boozy beers, it also serves as a very welcome palate-cleanser.
• Cranberries were also put to great use in Burnside’s Jingleberry, a hugely-thick imperial stout.  Again, the acid in the berries help cut through the dense folds of black malt (though they’re nearly consumed by them).  Unlike some of the heavy beers, it wears well, too.  I could easily have enjoyed a pint.
• While we’re on the porter-stout continuum, another winner was Coalition’s Big Maple.  If you know its small

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