Hunting, homebrew, family, and football - A Yooper's favorite time of year!

It's beginning to look a lot like [fill in the blank]. Whatever your favorite traditions are between the extreme poles of vibrant autumn color and snow-does-not-seem-so-desirable-anymore/bitter cold winter, it's obvious that Holiday season is officially upon us. At least that's what it feels like here in Skandia where Tracy and I are trying to keep the woodstove full to the brim at all times.

I, for one, am one of those people who cannot stand any type of Christmas celebration pre-December. The original American holiday many (including I) would argue may be the greatest: overdue catch-ups with family and friends, plenty of food, spirits, and football. All kicking off just after the most sacred "U.P. Holiday" - Firearm Deer Season. Unfortunately, much of the anticipation and enjoyment of Thanksgiving is typically ruined since retail establishments, radio stations and that over-zealous, 5 week early Christmas light decorating neighbor somehow believe we should start celebrating in November. I'm sure my crotchety Andy Rooney-esque rant goes nowhere with most Americans - and really, I'm ready to bust out the Bing Crosby and plant a spruce in the living room just as much as the next guy or gal. But let's do ourselves a favor and savor something more than the turkey and stuffing this Thanksgiving (like a Packers dominating victory, some family QT, the back straps off your freshly harvested whitetail, or a draught at the local watering hole with old friends, for example).

While I'm on the topic of savoring...I broke my own pre-December Christmas acknowledgment rule to put the finishing touches on some homemade Christmas cheer for us to enjoy when the time is right - Jolly Tomte Christmas Ale!

That is, if you don't make the Tomte's naughty list. And if Thule and Tracy don't go on a binge.

For those of you wondering what the heck a Tomte (Tom-Tah) is, Chris Petzke can fill you in. Because to be honest - all I know is that it's some sort of cross between a Swedish Santa and a gnome. Or one or the other. And that my siblings and I used to like to take photo ops with the sledding life-sized one my Uncle Carl would always put in his front yard during Christmas. Either way, tomten seem like pretty jovial fellows, so it seemed like an appropriate name for a Christmas themed brew made by a third generation American Swede.