Best Places To Buy Allston Christmas Beer

Allston Christmas, a New England IPA, is a limited-edition beer by Harpoon Brewery. It was released to commemorate the annual event in Boston where thousands of undergraduate and graduate students move into new apartments on 1 September, leaving the streets flooded with unwanted furniture and other items. The beer is brewed with leftover ingredients from past projects, including rice flakes, English pale malt, and rye malt, and has notes of citrus, mixed berry, and black currant. Allston X-Mas was initially available at Harpoon’s Seaport brewery and later shipped to bars and restaurants in Greater Boston.

Allston Christmas beer at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center

Allston Christmas is a familiar concept to anyone who has moved, considered moving, or helped someone move over Labor Day weekend in Boston. Thousands of undergraduate and graduate students living off campus flood the city to settle into new apartments on September 1 before the school year begins. This results in a chaotic free-for-all of discarded items on the sidewalks.

To celebrate this unique Boston holiday, the Harpoon Brewery released a limited-edition beer called Allston X-Mas in 2019. This New England IPA was made with Citra, Lotus, Centennial, and Eureka hops, as well as rice flakes, English pale malt, and rye malt. The beer was described as having notes of citrus, mixed berry, and black currant.

The can's design featured a sagging sofa, reflecting the humourous suggestion that the beer would taste like "moldy upholstery, soggy cardboard boxes, or the inside of a never-been-cleaned mini-fridge". However, the actual taste was described as soft and fruit-forward, with a touch of spice from the rye.

According to check-ins on Untappd, a beer-rating app, Allston Christmas beer was available at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center (BCEC) on September 3 and 6, 2019. It is unclear if the beer is still available for purchase at this location, as the reviews are a few years old. However, based on the reviews, it appears that the beer was available for purchase at this location in the past.

If you are interested in purchasing Allston Christmas beer, your best bet would be to check the Harpoon Brewery's Seaport location or bars and restaurants throughout Greater Boston, as the beer was initially released there. Additionally, you could try following up on the check-ins on Untappd to see if the reviewers have provided any additional information or updates about the availability of the beer at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center.

Allston X-Mas at the Harpoon Brewery

About Allston X-Mas

Allston X-Mas is a limited-release New England IPA brewed with a unique combination of ingredients. Citra, Lotus, Centennial, and Eureka hops are used to impart a mix of citrus, berry, and black currant flavours, while rice flakes, English pale malt, and rye malt add a distinct character. The result is a refreshing, dry beer with a hint of rye spice that's perfect for toasting your move or celebrating the chaos of Allston Christmas.

The Inspiration Behind the Beer

Allston Christmas is an unofficial holiday in Boston, marking the annual ritual of thousands of students moving in and out of the city's off-campus apartments. This mass migration leads to a free-for-all of discarded furniture and miscellaneous items on the sidewalks, creating a unique atmosphere that the staff at Harpoon Brewery know all too well. They decided to brew a beer that captures the spirit of repurposing and pays homage to this quirky Boston tradition.

Where to Buy

Allston X-Mas was initially released at Harpoon's Seaport brewery and later distributed to bars and restaurants throughout Greater Boston. However, as it was a limited-release beer, supplies may be limited. You can also try your luck at various locations in Allston, such as Blanchard's, or keep an eye out for it at retail stores throughout the city.

Pairing Suggestions

The brewers recommend pairing Allston X-Mas with the experience of unpacking after a long day of moving. They suggest enjoying it on a worn-in couch, savouring the fruit-forward flavours while relaxing in your new (or old) apartment.

Allston X-Mas at Whitinsville Beer Garden

Allston X-Mas is a limited-release New England IPA brewed by Harpoon Brewery to celebrate Boston's favourite unofficial holiday, Allston Christmas. On 28 August, the Whitinsville Beer Garden will be offering this unique beer, made with Citra, Lotus, Centennial, and Eureka hops, as well as leftover brewhouse ingredients like rice flakes, English pale malt, and rye malt.

Allston Christmas marks the annual migration of thousands of undergraduate and graduate students into new apartments in Boston on 1 September. This chaotic event results in a free-for-all of discarded furniture and other items on the sidewalks, creating a scavenger hunt for new residents looking to furnish their homes. Harpoon Brewery's staff, no strangers to this ritual, have crafted Allston X-Mas to honour this quirky tradition.

The beer is characterised by citrus, mixed berry, and black currant notes, with a hint of rye spice. It is best enjoyed after a tiring day of unpacking and settling into a new home, preferably on a well-worn couch. The can's design captures the essence of Allston Christmas, featuring a sagging sofa alongside other typical scenes from this unconventional holiday.

To promote their new beer, Harpoon Brewery offered a special giveaway for those moving on 1 September. Participants were invited to post a packing selfie to Instagram, tagging the brewery and using the hashtag #allstonxmasgiveaway. The lucky winner received a voucher for a hotel room at Hyatt Place Boston and a $100 gift card to the Harpoon Brewery.

So, if you're in Boston and want to join in on the Allston Christmas celebrations, head over to the Whitinsville Beer Garden and grab a can of Allston X-Mas! It's the perfect beverage to unwind with after a day of navigating the chaos of this beloved Boston tradition.

Allston X-Mas at Boston Beer Hall

Allston X-Mas is a limited-release New England IPA by Harpoon Brewery, brewed with a unique combination of ingredients. Citra, Lotus, Centennial, and Eureka hops are blended with rice flakes, English pale malt, and rye malt, resulting in a beer that is citrusy, tropical, and dry with a hint of rye spice. This beer is the perfect companion for those long days of unpacking and settling into a new home.

The name "Allston X-Mas" pays homage to Boston's favourite unofficial holiday, Allston Christmas. This quirky tradition occurs when departing 20-somethings leave their leftover furniture and belongings on the streets, creating a treasure trove for new residents to scavenge and furnish their apartments. The brewmasters at Harpoon know this ritual well and have crafted this beer in its honour, using leftover brewhouse ingredients that would otherwise have gone to waste.

The can's design captures the essence of Allston Christmas, featuring a sagging sofa and other familiar scenes from the day. The flavour, however, is far from the taste of mouldy upholstery or soggy cardboard. Instead, it offers a smooth, fruit-forward taste with notes of citrus, mixed berry, and black currant.

Allston X-Mas was initially released at Harpoon's Seaport brewery, and it quickly made its way into retail store coolers throughout Greater Boston. Beer enthusiasts can now find it at various locations, including the Boston Beer Hall. So, whether you're a Boston local or a visitor, be sure to keep an eye out for this unique brew.

If you're in the area and looking to try Allston X-Mas, the Boston Beer Hall is a great place to start. With a vibrant atmosphere and a variety of beverages on offer, it's the perfect spot to unwind and experience this limited-edition brew. Don't miss out on this unique taste of Boston's unofficial holiday, Allston Christmas, captured in a can by Harpoon Brewery.

Allston X-Mas at Vermont Tap Room

The Vermont Tap Room is the place to be if you're looking to get your hands on Harpoon's unique Allston X-Mas brew. This New England IPA is not just a beer; it's a celebration of Boston's beloved unofficial holiday, Allston Christmas.

Allston Christmas, for those who don't know, is when thousands of students flood the city to settle into new apartments, resulting in a chaotic yet exciting free-for-all of discarded furniture and miscellaneous items on the sidewalks. The innovative brewmasters at Harpoon decided to turn this ritual into a delicious beer, capturing the spirit of repurposing that defines Allston Christmas.

The Vermont Tap Room is proud to offer you this limited-release beer, crafted with a unique blend of ingredients. Citra, Lotus, Centennial, and Eureka hops take center stage, complemented by rice flakes, English pale malt, and rye malt. The result is a citrusy, tropical, and refreshingly dry beer with a hint of rye-like spice. It's the perfect beverage to unwind with after a tiring day of unpacking and moving furniture.

But hurry, as supplies are limited! Allston X-Mas was brewed in small batches, so don't miss your chance to taste this special brew. Pair it with a comfy couch, good company, and you've got yourself the perfect Allston Christmas experience.

So, what are you waiting for? Head to the Vermont Tap Room, grab an Allston X-Mas, and join in on the festivities. Cheers to a successful moving day and the unique traditions of Boston!

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