By Jared Dillon
Idyll Awhile beer expert

The style of Christmas ale can be classified as a unique one. Even to name the style after Christmas is a misnomer. Historically, cultures around the world have created some form of fermented beverage to celebrate the change from autumn to winter. Many civilizations around the world have celebrations or holidays surrounding the winter solstice. Seasons are changing and many primitive cultures saw this as an important transitional period of life.

Even today, many cultures see the winter solstice as an ending of the year and a transition to a new time. Interestingly enough, primitive cultures preferred to produce beers during this time that were very strong in terms of alcohol content. A wide variety of European strong ales we now consider common — like Germany’s Doppelbocks or Belgium’s Quadrupel ales — find their roots firmly attached to solstice celebrations, specifically Christmas.

Trying to explain the “Christmas” ale style is very difficult. Typically the guidelines of holiday ales are that they tend to be both strong in flavor and alcohol. They also historically are flavored with seasonal ingredients. Belgian-style Christmas ales are notorious for their strong cinnamon, nutmeg and anise flavors. German-style Christmas ales are typically strong lagers with rich caramel notes that lend themselves perfectly to cold winter evenings.

Samichlaus is a personal favorite of my father and mine. Samichlaus at one point was considered the strongest beer in the world. Topping off around 14 percent ABV, the beer can be aged for decades and its flavors have more in common with a brandy than a beer.

When we start to examine the American Christmas-style ale we see an intense variety of flavors and even styles. Anchor Brewing’s Christmas Ale is redefined every year, but lends itself toward the style of Anchor Steam with more pronounced holiday spices. Sierra Nevada’s Celebration Ale is a dry-hopped pale ale that embraces the spicy nature of holiday ales by adding a variety of hops to mimic those spicy characteristics.

Regardless, we must embrace the sentiment for holiday in these ales. Historically, widespread festivals served this type of ale as a means of celebration. The act of beer is ritual, much like the act of celebration. And whether it is a Belgian, German or American ale, they should be enjoyed with friends and family. All of these beers historic or not were brewed in the hopes of bringing about cheer and good wishes. Happy holidays from Idyll Awhile.

The Idyllwild International Festival of Cinema returns for its sixth time next month. From opening day, Tuesday, Jan. 6, through the awards ceremony, the evening of Sunday, Jan. 11, festival participants once again will be offered a panoply of dozens of films — from features through documentaries and shorts.

Idyllwild 2015, now the sixth rendition of the film festival, demonstrates the growing reputation of the event. “I had no idea what a wonderful oasis Idyllwild is. What a wonderful surprise finding the forest land. It’s a perfect get-away for film lovers,” said Will Wallace, actor and director and honorary co-director of the festival for the fifth year.

One-hundred thirty-five films will be shown at Idyllwild 2015 and each will have two screenings, said Stephen Savage, festival director and founder. On Saturday at the Idyllwild Library, the focus will be children’s films.

“Until opening night, I have butterflies, [I’m] worried if nobody shows up,” Savage replied when asked what excites him about Idyllwild 2015. “It’s hard to get excited until it’s over, but we’re gaining a reputation as a simple festival and it’s getting bigger.” Then he shared some of this year’s highlights.

Opening night film is “Ron and Laura Take Back America,” a comedy written and directed by its co-stars, the team of Mel England and Janice Markham. The film also stars Golden Globe Best Actress Nominee Irene Bedard, Jim J. Bullock and features a celebrity cameo by Academy Award Best Actress Nominee Sally Kirkland.

Another opening day favorite of Savage’s is “Where Hope Grows,” which Chris Dowling wrote and directed. He was the director of the Idyllwild 2010 best film, “Rock Slyde.” His latest movie, “Where Hope Grows,” is about a former pro ball player who befriends a grocery store clerk with Down syndrome and learns a life lesson.

On Wednesday night, “Solitary,” written and starring Katherine Lee McEwan, will make its world premiere. The film is about a young woman returning home to her aging father who encounters the memories of her buried past.

Adam Schomer is the featured filmmaker this year. His two documentaries, “One Little Pill” and “Polygon,” will be shown Friday, Jan. 9 starting at 11:45 a.m.

The Rustic Theatre will be home for the week-long festival and Savage gushed about the quality of its ability to show these films. For a small-time facility, Shane Stewart has installed a completely digital film room. “The upgrades are amazing and the theater is beautiful. I know it’s costly,” Savage said. “The festival wouldn’t be here without the Rustic.”

The other Idyllwild 2015 film venues are AstroCamp, the Caine Learning Center and one that hasn’t been identified.

With the help of the fest, Savage hopes to help Stewart install a digital marquee and new doors to the theater seating.

International film fans will again have many choices during the busy week. There will be films from many countries, including two from Iran. “They worked hard to get their visas to come here,” Savage said. Other countries represented in this category include Australia, Brazil, France and Mongolia.

A new strength this year will be the student film category, Savage said, brimming. “It’s 10 times bigger, including a great film from UCLA.”

Besides an opportunity to see exceptional and new films and meet the filmmakers, Idyllwild 2015 continues to offer learning experiences for film aficionados. On Saturday, Jan. 10, three different seminars will be offered. These will cover topics such as raising capital, legal issues with distribution and Screen Actor Guild contracts and cost-effective filming.
The website for the Idyllwild 2015, the International Festival of Cinema, is www.idyllwildcinemafest.com.

Passes are available at: www.idyllwildcinemafest.com/purchase-tickets/

A full week’s access to Idyllwild 2015 is $99. Idyllwild residents can get a pass for $35 at the Town Crier office. Tickets will be available online beginning Dec. 17.