Tis the season to be jolly, and nothing makes the fa-la-la-la-la’s quite as merry as a frothy glass of holiday ale. In celebration of the season, Whole Foods Market has teamed up again with yours truly to co-host a virtual beer tasting LIVE on Twitter.

On Dec. 18 from 7-8 p.m. CST, join Whole Foods Market (@WholeFoods) and myself (@TheBeerWench) as we chat about favorite holiday beers, cooking with holiday beer recipes, and holiday beer pairings. Simultaneously taste four unique and festive ales while tweeting alongside the folks behind the breweries that make them.

To participate, pick up one or all of the featured holiday beers and tweet your experience using the hashtag #WFMBeer. Every 15 minutes, the focus of the tasting will shift to a different beer. The schedule is as follows.

• 6:00 p.m. PST: New Belgium (@newbelgium) Snow Day
• 6:15 p.m. PST: Bison (@bisonbrew) Gingerbread Ale
• 6:30 p.m. PST: 21^st Amendment (@21stAmendment) Fireside Chat
• 6:45 p.m. PST: Deschutes (@DeschutesBeer) Jubelale

Whether spent cuddling next to the fireplace, entertaining a household of family and friends, or airing your grievances around the Festivus pole, these festive winter ales are sure to bring extra sparkle to your holiday season.

If you can’t find one of the recommended beers above, simply ask your local Whole Foods Market beer specialist to make a holiday beer recommendation and then join the conversation on Twitter. Don’t forget the hashtag #WFMBeer.

And don’t for get to leave one of these beers out for Santa – rumor has it, he loves craft beer too.

Participation is limited to those 21 years or older.

Behind the Twitter Avatar Series

Are you curious about the men and women “hiding” behind Twitter avatar of the world’s most beloved craft breweries? Well, you are not alone. The Wench has gone behind the scenes to reveal and introduce you to the individuals who possess the ever coveted social media positions in the craft beer industry.

Behind the Twitter Avatar: @newbelgium

Michael John Bussmann

Brewery: New Belgium
Location: Fort Collins, Colorado
Personal Twitter Handle: @carnie_nbb

What is your “official” position with New Belgium?
“Officially” I am the Social Networking Nerd at New Belgium. But in the end I wear a lot of hats, social media, brewery tours, the tasting room, ping-pong champion…

What is your favorite beer from New Belgium?
2011 GABF gold medal winner Le Terroir. A dry hopped sour that has come and gone a couple times around here. I just hope it comes around again (and soon).

What is your favorite beer and food pairing?
I like my pairings to go pretty low-brow- Chili-cheese Fritos and Ranger IPA is a great one. Also, White Castle and a couple bottles of Schlafly Pale Ale can speak to my St. Louis roots.

If you were a style of beer, what would you be and why?
A sessionable saison. I am an easy person to know, low octane, pretty mellow and I don’t ask for too much. There are some weird subtleties that are tough to pin down though, some funk and a little sour, but I can go all day.

And last but not least, what does craft beer mean to you?
Craft beer means everything to me, my work life, my social life, my in-between. It’s a wonderful way to escape the everyday-ness, the hum-drum roll that is presented to the rest of the world.

Any excuse I can use to talk to Michael, I take. Love love love, and I mean LOVE this man! Cheers!