The North Series is our Holiday Seasonal that we make different every year.  One common feature is usually that it is a Strong Ale that somehow brings out the spirit of the season through inspired ingredients.

North the Fifth

A Holiday tradition continues at Fort George Brewery with our Fifth rendition of the North Series. Originally brewed as an entry for the Great American Beer and Barley Wine Festival in Alaska, we change this beer every year, but keep the Strong Ale base as a constant.

Last year we imagined a Christmas Tree being thrown into the beer and devised a recipe that included spruce buds, cranberries and a giant candy-cane.
This year we took another Holiday Icon, The Fruitcake, and designed our Winter Seasonal in its honor.

A mash of barley, oats, wheat, rye, rich caramel and honey malts are mildly spiced with Cascade and Saaz hops, fermented with Fort George House Yeast then allowed to condition on hand-splintered, rum inspired oak. A Glase Fruit
concoction that includes cherries, pineapple, orange and lemon peel is dissolved into the finished beer to add the final touches.

While designed and bottled to be aged, we are sure this version of The Fruitcake will not be passed down for generations, but opened and imbibed at many a cheerful gathering.

North the Fourth

Twas the night before Christmas and all throughout the Fort,
Not a creature was sober, spare one brewer, dreaming of sweet wort.

A beer was to be made for family, for friends, for the masses.
But what style to make? What hops to use? What would fill their glasses?

As he gazed at the tree, covered in cranberries and candy canes,
His eyes widened, an idea came to him that was anything but mundane.

In a flash he was on his feet, headed for the tree,
An idea so bold that it filled him with glee.

Dashing up the stairs, he stuffed the tree into the mill,
Soon the tree was gone, cranberries and all, as he was careful not to spill.

Along with the tree he threw in some chocolate, caramel malt, and even some 2 row.
While he stirred the mighty brew, he dreamed longingly, and his face became aglow.

As the beer boiled he threw in the best hops he could find,
Hops that would epitomize the joy of mankind.

He put in some US Challenger and some Czech Saaz,
Egads he couldn’t wait to share this beer with Santa Claus!

He bottled it with care for this beer he was truly proud of,
He had created a wonderful holiday ale that was filled with brotherly love.

We hope you enjoy this wonderful strong ale these holidays,
It goes good with food, friends and a fires blaze.

North the Fourth was made with a 2 lb candy cane, 60 lbs of cranberries, and over 40 lbs of spruce tips. Hoppy Holidays from all of us at Fort George!