Beer of the Week: Mistletoe Bliss, Lazy Boy Brewing, Everett

Style: Brown Ale

Stats: 7.5 percent ABV

Available: On tap at the brewery and in 22 ounce bottles at select bottleshops and grocery stores.

My thoughts: It’s been 10 years since Shawn Loring opened the doors of his brewery near Everett Mall Way. This weekend they celebrated that occurrence with an anniversary party.

This beer has been along for the entire ride — although it’s been in multiple variations.

This year’s version of Mistletoe Bliss is a lot like last year’s, which was the first year it was changed. Instead of an imperial brown, Loring changed Bliss to more of what he calls an English mild with a kick.

Unlike most winter beers, which are usually big dark stouts, porters or barleywines with a high ABV, Mistletoe Bliss is lighter bodied brown with a slight hop finish. It’s very drinkable and easy to have two pints without losing the ability to walk on ice.

That doesn’t mean Loring isn’t brewing something for the fans of big winter beers. Lazy Boy released a porter brewed with Wisconsin maple syrup and vanilla bean on Friday.

Loring was contacted by a farmer in Wisconsin, and decided to purchase four gallons of the farmer’s maple syrup made with cherries to use in the beer. It gave him the idea of using maple syrup with cinnamon to brew a beer that tastes like French toast.

From the brewery: A new brown ale on steroids! Stock up now to warm up those cold winter nights.

Lazy Boy Anniversary Party: Everett’s Lazy Boy Brewing celebrates its 11th anniversary with a party from 2 to 10 p.m. Oct. 22 at the brewery. There will new beers on tap, including Lazy Boy’s holiday beer, Mistletoe Bliss, and a porter made with maple syrup and infused with cherries. There will also be a food truck and live music.

More new releases:

Staggering Jack, Diamond Knot Brewing: This imperial pumpkin ale is a balance of soft clove and subtle cinnamon flavors complemented by a malty sweet grain profile. Available at DK locations.

Hop Check-Up Series #1, 5 Rights Brewing: American IPA brewed with Australian Galaxy and Vic Secret and New Zealand Nelson Sauvin hops and Skagit Valley Malting Full-Pint 2-Row as the base malt. Available at the brewery.