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Monthly buzz: Your guide to beer and spirit events happening in December

Seasonal winter brews pack quite the punch in ABVs, and December packs quite the punch in beer events. We tilt our glasses to these boozy events happening in December.

Seasonal winter brews pack quite the punch in ABVs, and December packs quite the punch in beer events. We tilt our glasses to these boozy events happening in December.

Chilly weather equals fireplace evenings, and the Devil's Den (1148 S. 11th St.) just so happens to have a great one to hangout by. On Monday, Dec. 1, the South Philly pub invites guests to the 6th annual Fireplace Lighting Party where they, of course, light their double-sided fireplace for the first time and serve smoky and wood-aged beers during the event. The beer list for the night includes Brew Works Bourbon Barrel Aged Insidious, DuClaw Hell on Wood, Bullfrog Smoked Cherry Hefe, and more. The party starts at 7 p.m.

Pennsylvania's own Dad's Hat Rye Whiskey teams up with Red Owl Tavern (433 Chestnut St.) on Wednesday, Dec. 3 for a special three-course food and drink pairing featuring cocktails created by co-founder of Dad's Hat, John Cooper, and signature dishes by executive chef of Red Owl Tavern, Chef Jorge Chicas. The night will not only fulfill your stomach and taste buds, but you will get an in-depth look into whiskey tastes and why it pairs with certain foods. The pairing starts at 6:30 p.m. and costs $70 per head.

If you're upset you missed the Winter Beer Fest at the 23rd Street Armory in November, turn those tears into cheers at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center (100 Station Ave.) for the Valley Forge Beer Fest on Saturday, Dec. 6. Guests can choose to attend either session one (12:30 p.m.–4 p.m.) or session two (5:30 p.m- 9 p.m.) and can expect over 150 beers and hard ciders with by numerous craft breweries including Troegs, Cigar City, Ballast Point, Angry Orchard, and more. Tickets start at $40.

Oh suds and swine, you never looked so fine ... together that is. On Saturday, Dec. 6 at 2:30 p.m., the 2014 Bacon and Beer Festival returns for a celebration of pigs and booze as local restaurants and breweries serve bacon-flavored dishes and great beers to wash them down with. The festival takes place at the 23rd St. Armory (22 S. 23rd St.) with a ticket cost of $46.50. Admission includes unlimited samples from 25-30 restaurants and beers from 15-20 breweries.

Chicago's Goose Island beer is great to drink by itself, but paired up with a savory meal, you're in for a treat. On Tuesday, Dec. 9, Center City gastropub Strangelove's (216 S. 11th St.) will whip up a special three-course dinner pairing with selected Goose Island beers. The holiday dinner/pairing menu will feature BBQ'd Pig Tails with Goose Island Bourbon County Stout, a Christmas goose with Goose Island's Bourbon County Barleywine, and a pecan roll paired with Goose Island's Bourbon County Coffee Stout. The dinner is $60 per person and starts at 7 p.m. Other Goose Island drafts will be available throughout the event.

Shout out your loudest "HO HO HO" as you finish that merry ale of yours during East Passyunk's Spirits and Suds Bar Crawl on Wednesday, Dec 10. Beginning at 5:30 p.m., 13 bars along Passyunk Avenue will offer $3 seasonal craft brews, $4 cocktails, and selected munchies to all participating Santas. $5 admission gets you a Santa hat or elf hat, your choice.

Do you live in the "'burg" or near it? If so, or not, take a trip up to the PA Farm Show Complex (2300 N. Cameron St.) in Harrisburg for Hibrewnation on Saturday, Dec. 13. This beer fest will highlight 80 different beers regionally and nationally. This year's sponsor is Sierra Nevada but besides this California brewery, beers to look forward to will be from Long Trail, Founders, Old Forge, Rogue, and more. Tickets start at $40 and general admission begins at 2:30 p.m. VIP starts at 12:30 p.m.

While your kids are in that never-ending line to get their picture with Santa, I bet you're thinking to yourself, "Man, I need a cold one." Local 44 (4333 Spruce St.) will have Santa at their bottle bar for holiday pictures with the big guy. While your kids get their Christmas cheer on, you get your Christmas beer on. That's a win-win situation right there. Pictures start at noon on Saturday, Dec. 13.

It's December and this is the only month one particular fashion style is acceptable: ugly sweaters. Iron Hill Brewery (130 Bridge St.) in Phoenixville invites you and your ugly holiday jumper to their brewery/restaurant for the release of their holiday winter warmer ale, Ugly Sweater. Prizes for the best and worst sweater will be awarded throughout the evening. The release begins at 5 p.m. and takes place on Friday, Dec. 19.

Tap off the end of 2014 with tons of beer samples on Sunday, Dec. 28 during World Café Live's (3025 Walnut St.) 7th Annual Winter Beer Fest. For $40 per person, guests can sample over 40 regional and national brews from names such as Bear Republic, Sly Fox, Starr Hill, Weyerbacher, and more. Entry starts at 1 p.m. and will take place on the first floor.