Assuming that the Grinch who wanted to car-bomb Christmas doesn’t return for our seasonal who-brews, this year’s Holiday Ale Fest at Pioneer Square looks pretty promising for beer aficionados.

Along with the 50-or-so winter beers that will be available from Wednesday to Sunday, the limited releases you can sample from 2 pm until the kegs are tapped are enough to make me envious of those who work downtown and can manage a long “coffee break.” I’d be especially interested to try Wednesday’s 2005 Brauerei Schloss Eggenberg from Samichlaus Bier (coming in at 14% alcohol, it’s only brewed once a year and aged 10 months before bottling). A full list of the standard and limited pours are available on the festival website.

For those who like to start early and have an extra $45 burning a hole in their pockets, organizers are throwing a Sunday beer brunch. They’ll be pairing Belgian beers with a “European-Style” menu.

Wristbands for the duration of the festival are $20 in advance, and $25 at the gates. The price includes a mug and 10 tasting tickets (additional tickets are $1 each). The doors are open 2-10 pm Wednesday, 11 am-10 pm Thursday through Saturday, and 11 am-5 pm Sunday.