Four craft brews that will get you through New Year’s

We’ve suggested some places to celebrate New Year’s Eve, and a beer style to toast the ball dropping, but what if you are more in the mood for a low-key celebration at home? The forecast calls for a warm holiday, even by Los Angeles standards, so here are a few craft brew suggestions from local brewers that will fit in on a New Year’s Eve with temps in the 70s.

Golden Road Brewing, Better Weather IPA

This nearly 10% alcohol Double IPA was conceived as a SoCal nod to the winter warmer beers that the rest of the country is enjoying around this time. It’s got the booze of those beers, but instead of dark, roasted malts and spices common to the winter warmer style, it has hops. Lots of hops. Fruity, tropical flavors make Better Weather a brew tailor-made for sitting on the patio as the sun sets on 2013.

Strand Brewing, Harvest Ball

The fourth anniversary brew from the Torrance brewery, Harvest Ball is a traditional Belgian wit beer that’s spiced with coriander and local orange zest. Usually thought of as a summer style, the light and refreshing wheat beer will be right at home when you’re contemplating running the AC on Dec. 31.

The Bruery & Noble Ale Works, Tour Mais Le Coller

A collaboration between the two Orange County craft brewers. You might have had this beer on draught recently under its other name: Everything but the Stick. The beer is a cream ale sweetened with milk sugar and flavored with oranges, and the brewers nailed their attempt to capture the flavors of a 50-50 bar in beer form. It might not be a beer for everyone, but you’ve got to try it to find out, and I’d wager this will be a hit with more than a few people who claim to not like beer.

Eagle Rock Brewing, Unionist

A Belgian pale ale, Unionist balances a biscuity malt body with assertive hops and spicy yeast flavors from the Belgian strain used to ferment it. It’s an easy drinking brew with enough complexity to keep you topping off your glass, and with right around 5% alcohol, this is one of the more sessionable recommendations. A 22-ounce bomber is perfect to split with a buddy or keep all to yourself, so you might want to pick up a couple of bottles.

All the above brews are available at specialty beer retailers, Whole Foods Markets and better liquor stores around L.A.

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