4. Guess the secret spice in Anchor Our Special Ale. The San Francisco brewery changes it every year. Spruce? Cinnamon? Nutmeg?
5. Organize a case share. Invite your buddies to a swap meet where everyone empties a single case of 24 bottles onto the kitchen table, then takes turns refilling a case.
6. Celebrate St. Nicholas Day with Penn St. Nikolaus Bock Bier.
7. Remember: That fancy bottle of Blue Moon Grand Cru is made by Coors. It's not terrible, but you can get an authentic Belgian in the same ($10) price range. Try Petrus Winter Ale.
8. Host a Scaldis horizontal tasting. Belgium's Brasserie Dubuisson pulls out the stops for the holidays with Scaldis Noel, cognaclike Scaldis Noel Premium, oak-aged Scaldis Prestige and triple-fermented Scaldis Prestige de Nuits.
9. Hire a designated driver. Nothing takes the cheer out of the holiday more than a night in the hoosegow.
10. Skip shopping. Instead, see what your local brewpub is pouring for the holidays and join the Craft Beer Bus Tour on Dec. 10 when it visits Nodding Head and Dock Street. There's also a quick stop at South Philly's Bell Beverage, where I'll be leading a tutored tasting of Christmas beer. $85, includes a share in Joe Sixpack's Case Club. Info at www.craftbeerbus.com.
11. If you see it, buy it. It'll be gone from the shelves by next week.
12. Savor the 12 Days of Christmas. This season, The Bruery of California is onto the fourth verse of the never-ending song, with 4 Calling Birds, a spiced, strong dark ale.
13. Go Mad. Troegs Mad Elf, a strong, cherry-flavored ale, is a must-drink every year. This year its yeast spiciness is a bit subdued.
