We haven’t decided which pumpkin beer we like best or even if we like pumpkin beers anymore. We’re still sampling Oktoberfests and looking forward to maibocks doppelbocks in the coming weeks. But now comes word that Troegs has totally jumped the gun and is already shipping its Mad Elf Ale.

22 ounce bottles left Harrisburg on the 1st with 12 ounce bottles shipping on Monday. Kegs won’t ship till a more seasonable December 1st, so we still have time to sample fall’s finest on tap.

Troegs [Official Site]

We hope you all enjoy the holidays, have lots of great food and cheer, and no matter what, don’t eat a three decker saurkraut and toadstool sandwich with arsenic sauce.

We’ll be back for some Friday fun and we promise to get you through New Year’s. 

In the meantime here’s OpenTable’s list of restaurants open on Christmas Day. 

And for all those who have asked about bars open on Christmas Day, Grey Lodge and National Mechanics are two that jump to mind. 

If you know more, please add them to the comments.

Jewish or otherwise, we’ve had plenty of people asking us for where to go for Christmas Eve dinner. Everyone knows Chinatown is the place to be but we’ve been hearing some resistance to that tradition this year. Our popular suggestion to e-mailers was Zahav but unfortunately it is now booked solid. Luckily OpenTable makes it easy to find restaurants open and available tonight. 

Reservations for December 24th [OpenTable]

Phoodie.info and Meal Ticket have plenty of options for The Feast of the Seven Fishes. [Phoodie.info and Meal Ticket]

Foodzings enjoys a shopping respite with some food from Black Sheep. [Foodzings]

Phillyist lists their top-ten missed opportunities for posting in 2008. Included are a couple of food related posts, including dinner at Modo Mio and authentic tacos at the Bourse of all places. [Phillyist]

It’s a vegetarian office party at Singapore Kosher Vegetarian. [Veggicurious]

We’ve got the goods on the much ballyhooed Cochon and its NYE plans. Also, Distrito has a vegetarian tasting option.

New Years Eve Guide [f8b8z]

We’re still adding more events to our NYE Guide. Today we’ve added Mi Lah vegetarian for the vegans out there, Pub & Kitchen for the caviar intrigued and Silk City for the money maker shakers.

New Years Eve Guide [f8b8z]

APO and Hendrick’s Gin are throwing a holiday soiree this evening from 6 to 10pm.

Finely Feathered Philadelphians,

Please join your friends at APO Bar & Lounge as we celebrate the season with Hendrick’s Gin.
We’ll be pouring most unusual holiday cocktails and punches, making merry and wassailing through the night. Caroling shall be encouraged. Complimentary hors d’oeuvres will be served and all Hendrick’s cocktails will be festively priced.

Doll yourself up in seasonal fineries and bring a few non-perishable food items to benefit the Hunger Coalition. Those who do either shall be warmly rewarded.
Gather some friends and come tipple in high Holiday style.

APO & Hendrick’s Holiday Soiree!!! [Facebook]
APO Bar + Lounge [Official Site]

It’s time to answer that most stressful of questions, “what are you doing for New Years?” We here at Foobooz have been slaving over just that choice the last few days and have compiled quite the list of options for everyone from the gourmet, to the craft beer drinker to the total blow-out diva.

Read on to find out where there’s a Golden Monkey & Mad Elf dance party, who’s serving human sushi and where you can get 6 courses for less than $70.

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Taste the Rum Bar’s take on eggnog. The Coquito is Puerto Rico’s preferred holiday elixr and combines eggs, cream, cinnamon, vanilla, condensed milk, cream of coconut and, of course, rum. Sounds delicious.

Amada is offering whole roasted suckling pig to go! Perfect for Christmas dinner or reenacting Lord of the Flies. The cost is $50 per person with a minimum order of 5 people and the succulent pig comes with four side dishes plus dessert.

Complete release after the jump.

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