Small screen enchantress Emilia Clarke teams with Henry Golding and Michelle Yeogh, stars of last year’s unexpected big screen sensation, Crazy Rich Asians, for romantic comedy with a heart… Last Christmas, showing at 7 p.m. at the Blue Mouse Theatre. Kate (a raccoon-eyed Clarke) isn’t hiding from her Yugoslavian heritage so much as she’s trying to avoid a mother (Emma Thompson, who also produced and co-scripted) bent on foisting it down her throat. Now, her life as a Christmas store elf is about to take a turn for the metaphysical, thanks to the mysterious Golding. It’s worth a visit to the Blue Mouse to behold cinematographer John Schwartzman (National Treasure: Book of Secrets, The Founder) accept the challenge of illuminating a feature almost entirely by Christmas lights. It’s also worth a visit to Peaks and Pints before or after the film for a holiday beer flight we call Christmas Beer Crosscut 12.9.19: Last Christmas.
Christmas Beer Crosscut 12.9.19: Last Christmas
Brasserie Dupont Avec Les Bons Voeux
9.5% ABV, 28 IBU
In January 1970, Belgian brewery Brasserie Dupont needed a gift to dole out to key clients during the holidays. Key chains just weren’t going to cut it. Since the brewery produces amazing ales they thought why not gift an ale: Avec Les Bons Voeux, which translates as “with best wishes.” It blew minds. Dupont eventually released it commercially, albeit in limited quantities. A saison boasting a hefty 9.5-per-cent alcohol, it pours with a hazy tint and is almost buttery-smooth in texture. There’s mellow fruitiness and yeasty bread flavor at its core, with lively clove and licorice notes folded in, set against a solidly bitter backbone.
The Lost Abbey Gnoel De Abbey
8.5% ABV
The Lost Abbey Gnoel de Abbey is a winter warmer brewed to be lighter in body while maintaining nuanced notes of oak. Beginning with aromas of freshly brewed espresso, Gnoel has hints of cocoa, vanilla and holiday spice, finishing with a crisp coffee bitterness.
Three Magnets Gingabread Snapper
8.5% ABV
Three Magnets Brewing created a gingerbread beer — a seasonal imperial stout brewed with fresh ginger. It’s spicy and festive, with bright ginger vibes and a subtle touch of winter spices — plus notes of rum, chocolate and molasses. Expect a rich, bock-like body to enjoy next to Peaks and Pints’ fireplace.
Maritime Pacific Jolly Roger Christmas Ale
8% ABV, 42 IBU
A Christmas beer with a pirate skull and crossbones donning the bottle? This one is for you, Jack Skellington! George and Jane Hancock founded the ma-and-pa Maritime Pacific Brewing Company in an old transmission shop in 1990 in Seattle’s Ballard neighborhood. In 1997 they opened the Jolly Roger Taproom named, as they say, “in honor of our most popular holiday brew”: Jolly Roger Christmas Ale. A beer fridge staple, Jolly Roger English strong ale combines rich malt character with a blend of fresh Northwest Chinook and Cascade hops.
10 Barrel Pray For Snow
7% ABV, 75 IBU
10 Barrel Brewing’s Pray for Snow Winter Ale uses seven specialty malts and plenty of hops to create a herbal, malty, hoppy brew. Dark copper in color, the Pray for Snow has big malty aromas with hints of caramel, toffee, and spices. The German malt flavor profile with slight roasty notes gives the beer a subtle toffee sweetness balanced with a spicy hop bitterness and slight alcohol warming. Today, Peaks and Pints pours the nitro version for added creaminess.
Photo: Universal Pictures
