Cheers to These Festive, Made-in-Michigan Holiday Drinks!

Michigan Beverage Collective helps simplify employee benefits, reduce costs, and make benefits administration pain-free. This month, in the spirit of the season, we’re shifting gears to share some beverages — crafted and distributed by Michigan businesses — designed to make your holidays merry and bright. 

In no particular order, here’s a sampling of drinks you might want to sip this holiday season. 

SPIRITS
Mix up a Salted Maple Old Fashioned with Iron Fish Bourbon Whiskey and Bourbon Barrel-Aged Maple Syrup, plus a couple of dashes of Iron Fish aromatic bitters. 

For straight sipping, check out Wonderland Distilling Company’s award-winning Cask Strength Blend of Straight Whiskeys, which starts with a strong, yet tempered aroma of brown sugar, butterscotch, caramel popcorn, and pumpernickel toast. 

Get it while you can: Detroit City Distillery has again teamed up with Bees in the D (a nonprofit dedicated to supporting the health of honey bee colonies) for a limited release of Honey Bourbon, which is finished with honey straight from the hives on top of the Whiskey Factory. 

The quintessential holiday drink, eggnog is even better when spiked. Ellison Brewery and Spirits suggests combining Quality Dairy eggnog with Ellison Cabernet Sauvignon Bourbon and topping it off with a dash of ground nutmeg. 

BEER
Rochester Mills Brewing 12 Days of Milkshake Stout is back this year, featuring one pint each of 12 different stouts. Six new varieties are included (hazelnut coffee, toasted marshmallow, white Russian, raspberry, oatmeal raisin, and cookies & cream) along with old favorites including Udder Enjoymint and Michigan Maple.

Bell’s Brewing Jingle Bell’s variety pack includes three bottles each of four beers: Two Hearted, Bright White, Christmas Ale, and Wild Spruce Chase, which is brewed with spruce tips and available only in the Jingle Bell’s variety pack. 

Short’s Super Hoppy Holidays 18-pack features six varieties including three favorites: Juicy Tree (brewed with spruce tips, juniper berries, and cranberries), Double Psychedelic Cat Grass, and Yoda’s Blend. New this year are Humongous Huma, Double MMMKay, and Snow Globe. 

Frankenmuth Christmas Town Ale combines sweet toasted dark malts with American hops to create a medium-bodied spiced ale with subtle notes of nutmeg, ginger, cinnamon, and clove, making it a must-try brew for winter.

Griffin Claw 3 Scrooges Winter Warmer Ale is brewed with molasses, honey, orange peel, and clove. Slightly malty, a little spice that’s everything nice, and the warming sensation of this libation bring winter cheer to all scrooges far and near.

WINES
St. Julian Holidaze is a sweet red wine blend with rich cherry and grape jam aromas, crisp acidity with a refreshingly tart finish, and bright flavors of concord jelly, cherry, and strawberry. As the folks at St. Julian say, “It’s a wine created to help all of you tired, stressed, busy people get through the crazy holiday season. Pairs well with pizza, prime rib, stuffing, and difficult relatives!”

Chateau Chantal Naughty & Nice Reds were created for white wine lovers who are interested in exploring red wines. Naughty is a red wine so naughty you can cross the traditional wine pairing borders and serve it with fish. Nice Red provides a touch of sweetness to the wine.  Also, check out Naughty & Nice white wine and ciders.

Round Barn Farm Market Cranberry offers a flavorful blend of tart and sweet with a soft red color and a fruity, aromatic nose with hints of cranberry and currant. 

Warner Holiberry‘s unique blend of premium white wine and cranberries is a deliciously smooth drink that’s an excellent complement to every holiday meal.

Finally, plan to ring in the new year (or celebrate any event) with Leelanau Wine Cellars Winter White Bubbly, a fresh and effervescent bubbly available by the bottle or in cans.

Happy Holidays from Michigan Beverage Collective
This month the team at Michigan Beverage Collective is toasting all the distributors who keep our local shelves stocked and all the craft brewers, vintners, and distillers who keep our thirst quenched throughout the year. 

Whatever beverage you choose to celebrate with, the team at Michigan Beverage Collective wishes you the joy of the season and a healthy, happy new year!