Traditionally, people use champagne toasts for special occasions.  This is especially prevalent for weddings and for what we have coming up tonight, the New Year.  As a beer enthusiast, I choose to switch out the champagne for a beer.  A lot of people ask, what's an appropriately "special" beer for this special occasion?  Here's my take.

There are two main styles that I think lend themselves to the switch from champagne to beer.  The more logical candidate of the two is Biere de Champagne, also known as Biere Brut.  This crossover style is most common right now in Belgium.  Carbonation and mouthfeel is very similar to that of champagne, while some go as far as to age them as champagne or put the beer through other processes like champagne.  Some of the most commonly found Biere Brut's here in the United States would be DeuS by Brouwerij Bosteels, Scaldis Prestige (known as Bush Prestige outside of the US) by Brasserie Dubuisson Frères sprl, both Malheur Brut and Malheur Brut Noir by Brouwerij De Landtsheer NV, and Lust from Cervejaria Sudbrack Ltda.  One of the more unusual beers that I have had is loosely in this style is IPA VS Brut from Golden Valley Brewery in Oregon.  It combines the flavors of an IPA with a Biere de Champagne.

Another style that I think fits well for toasting with this evening is Gueuze.  The simple complexities (yes, I said that) do wonderfully when compared to champagne.  Probably the most common and easy to find beer of this style is Lindemans Gueuze Cuvee Rene.  Other great examples are Girardin Gueuze 1882 Black Label, Hanssens Oude Gueuze, or any of a number of excellent examples from Cantillon (if you can get the Lou Pepe Gueuze, you won't be sorry).  There are lots of other examples that are excellent, with Boon coming to mind first.

So this year, do something a little different.  Grab that champagne flute, but fill it with beer for toasting.