Joe Sixpack: Holiday cheer with some wintry beer?

ENTERTAIN at home? What could I have been thinking about in last week's column when I shared all those cockamamie tips for celebrating the holidays at home?

Get out of your hole and have some fun. Forget about stocking your fridge for your mooching brother-in-law - pull on your stockings and catch the holiday spirit at one of the many festive beer-drinking events this month.

Mad Elf/Happy You Night, 6-9 p.m. at The Grey Lodge Pub (6235 Frankford Ave., Mayfair).

Last year, I ranked Mad Elf the No. 1 holiday beer in my book, "Christmas Beer" (Universe, 2008), partly because it has become such a spectacular local phenomenon. Cases of the spicy, 11 percent alcohol ale sell out quickly every year as beer fans stock up on limited supplies.

Read - and drink - it for yourself tonight. I'll be signing copies and the bar will be pouring drafts.

Repeal Day at Memphis Taproom (2331 E. Cumberland St., Port Richmond).

Seventy-six years ago, Prohibition ended with ratification of the 21st Amendment - just in time for the holidays. What better way to celebrate the end of the nation's dark age than with one-buck drafts? Enjoy 'em while they're cold, noon-3 p.m.

Cliveden Winter Beer Festival at Cliveden of the National Trust (6401 Germantown Ave., Mt. Airy), 2-5:30 p.m.

Enjoy Christmas beers from more than 20 breweries at this one-of-a-kind historic setting. Tix: $40 ($65 door). Info: www.craftbeerfestivals.com

Philadelphia Winter Beer Festival at Blockley Pour House (38th and Ludlow streets, University City), 5-8 p.m.

An evening sampling of local brews and buffet.

Sixth Anniversary Party at TJ's Restaurant & Drinkery (35 Paoli Plaza, Paoli), noon.

It's not a holiday party, but this excellent suburban beer destination will celebrate its birthday with a dynamite selection of taps, including the new Sierra Nevada/Dogfish collaboration Life & Limb and a firkin of The Bruery's Christmas one-off, Two Turtle Doves.

Ancient Ales with Prof. Patrick McGovern at Teresa's Next Door (124 N. Wayne Ave. Wayne), 1 p.m.

McGovern, author of "Uncorking the Past: The Quest for Wine, Beer, and Other Alcoholic Beverages" (University of California Press, 2009) will lead a luncheon pairing ancient ales from Dogfish Head.

Note: Starting Dec. 17, Teresa's Next Door will tap a different Dogfish Head keg every day for the remainder of the month. Keep an eye out for Immort Ale, 120 Minute IPA and my latest favorite draft, Burton Baton, an outstanding blend of oak-aged English strong ale and 90 Minute I.P.A.

12 Days of Xmas at the Tap and Table (4226 Chestnut St., Emmaus).

The new Lehigh County gastropub will host 12 straight beer dinners featuring 3 draft and 3 cask Christmas beers each night. Info: www.tapandtable.com.

XFEST, Philly's original holiday beer festival, 6-9 p.m. at the Penn Museum (33rd and Spruce streets, University City).

Enjoy dozens of the world's finest Christmas beers in a civilized sampling in one of the most beautiful beer-drinking venues in the city, the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology.

Among the liquid highlights: Barbãr De Noël, Weyerbacher Winter, Jolly Pumpkin Noel De Calabaza, Mahr's Christmas Bock and Ridgeway's Bad, Very Bad, Seriously Bad, & Criminally Bad Elf(s).

Tix: $45 at www.phillybeerfests.com.

Brunch with Santa at Victory Brewing (420 Acorn Lane, Downingtown), 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Find out how St. Nick got that red nose when the red-suited elf makes his visit to the brewery. Brunch is $20 for adults, $20 for kids under 12. Info: 610-873-0881.

Yoga Happy Hour, 6-8 p.m. at Yoga on the Ridge (511 Conarroe St. rear, Roxborough).

Here's a unique seasonal stress-buster: A rocking one-hour Vinyasa yoga class led by Theresa Conroy (better known in beer circles as Mrs. Sixpack) followed by an hour-long Christmas beer class led by "Swami" Sixpack.

After you're done stretching, I'll share the story behind your favorite Christmas beers, and we'll even break into my own stash of cellared Mad Elf.

Must pre-register at 215-792-6400. $20. Details at www.yogaontheridge.com.

Christmas Beer Day, at The Institute (549 N. 12th St., Spring Garden), all day.

More than 20 different Christmas beers will pour at this friendly neighborhood tavern. Soak up the suds with a holiday menu.

"Joe Sixpack" by Don Russell appears weekly in Big Fat Friday. For more on the beer scene in Philly and beyond, visit www.joesixpack.net. Send e-mail to joesixpack@phillynews.com.