Beer Tasting Nov. 21-Nov. 30th
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For our 1st tasting let's get the holidays started with specialty Holiday brews. Any kind of a beer that is made especially for the holiday season will qualify. Share your tasting notes with the rest of us, and broaden our horizons! Happy Holidays!
For our 1st tasting let's get the holidays started with specialty Holiday brews. Any kind of a beer that is made especially for the holiday season will qualify. Share your tasting notes with the rest of us, and broaden our horizons! Happy Holidays!
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I'm in. I will be stopping by Stone Brew this weekend to pick up a few things, including their first ever holiday brew: Jolly Pumpkin / Nøgne-Ø / Stone Special Holiday Ale http://blog.stonebrew.com/?p=249
I'm in. I will be stopping by Stone Brew this weekend to pick up a few things, including their first ever holiday brew: Jolly Pumpkin / Nøgne-Ø / Stone Special Holiday Ale http://blog.stonebrew.com/?p=249
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Ok, first holiday beer blog of the season...
Rogue Ales, Newport OR
Santa's Private Reserve
According to Rogue: "Reddish Copper in Color with a Roasty Malt Flavor and a Hoppy, Sprucey Finish"
Our opinion: Not too malty, a definite bitterness to it...since I've never ate my christmas tree, maybe it is the sprucey part. I also realize that double the hops could add to the bitterness. A warm reddish brown color. Head dissipated quickly. A little too bitter for our taste. Did not have the rich, thick taste of a holiday beer.
Other advertising from Rogue: "Rogue's annual holiday offering, Santa's Private Reserve is a variation of the classic St. Rogue Red, but with double the hops - including Chinook, and Centennial, and a mystery hop called Rudolph by head brewer John "more hops" Maier.
A mystery indeed.
Ok, first holiday beer blog of the season...
Rogue Ales, Newport OR
Santa's Private Reserve
According to Rogue: "Reddish Copper in Color with a Roasty Malt Flavor and a Hoppy, Sprucey Finish"
Our opinion: Not too malty, a definite bitterness to it...since I've never ate my christmas tree, maybe it is the sprucey part. I also realize that double the hops could add to the bitterness. A warm reddish brown color. Head dissipated quickly. A little too bitter for our taste. Did not have the rich, thick taste of a holiday beer.
Other advertising from Rogue: "Rogue's annual holiday offering, Santa's Private Reserve is a variation of the classic St. Rogue Red, but with double the hops - including Chinook, and Centennial, and a mystery hop called Rudolph by head brewer John "more hops" Maier.
A mystery indeed.
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Pyramid Brewery, Portland OR/Berkeley CA
Snow Cap Ale - 7% alcohol
According to Pyramid: "A rich full bodied winter warmer crafted in the British tradition of holiday beers. Deep mahogany in color, this brew balances complex fruit flavors with a refreshingly smooth texture"
Our opinion: Malty nose, tastes of caramel and toffee with a hint of apricot. Dark reddish amber in color. Creamy. Definitely improved in flavor as it warmed up closer to room temperature. Head dissipated quickly. Still a little light in flavor for a holiday brew.
Pyramid Brewery, Portland OR/Berkeley CA
Snow Cap Ale - 7% alcohol
According to Pyramid: "A rich full bodied winter warmer crafted in the British tradition of holiday beers. Deep mahogany in color, this brew balances complex fruit flavors with a refreshingly smooth texture"
Our opinion: Malty nose, tastes of caramel and toffee with a hint of apricot. Dark reddish amber in color. Creamy. Definitely improved in flavor as it warmed up closer to room temperature. Head dissipated quickly. Still a little light in flavor for a holiday brew.
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Shiner Holiday Cheer
Spoetzl Brewery
Shiner Texas
4.5% ABV
22 IBU
According to the Speotzl Brewery:
Happy Holidays from the "Little Brewery" in Shiner, TX. We hope you enjoy your Shiner Cheer, an Old World Dunkelweizen brewed with Texas peaches and roasted pecans. The malty flavors of this dark wheat ale are enhanced through the use of malted barley and wheat. And Kräusening ensures a smoothness that makes the subtle peach and pecan flavors all the more satisfying. May your days be merry and bright and your Shiner be cold. Prosit!
My opinion: Now that I'm in the right discussion, let me pass on a recommendation for Shiner Holiday Cheer. I think that this is Shiner's first entry in the holiday genre, and they've done well. Cheer has the local tastes of peaches and pecans . It's understated and more drinkable than most other holiday beers.
Shiner Holiday Cheer
Spoetzl Brewery
Shiner Texas
4.5% ABV
22 IBU
According to the Speotzl Brewery:
Happy Holidays from the "Little Brewery" in Shiner, TX. We hope you enjoy your Shiner Cheer, an Old World Dunkelweizen brewed with Texas peaches and roasted pecans. The malty flavors of this dark wheat ale are enhanced through the use of malted barley and wheat. And Kräusening ensures a smoothness that makes the subtle peach and pecan flavors all the more satisfying. May your days be merry and bright and your Shiner be cold. Prosit!
My opinion: Now that I'm in the right discussion, let me pass on a recommendation for Shiner Holiday Cheer. I think that this is Shiner's first entry in the holiday genre, and they've done well. Cheer has the local tastes of peaches and pecans . It's understated and more drinkable than most other holiday beers.
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Jolly Pumpkin / Nøgne-Ø / Stone Special Holiday Ale
Read the release notes on Stone's blog: http://blog.stonebrew.com/?p=249
It pours smooth, not much foam, makes a decent head. It is dark, like a brown ale, and is opaque. Lit from behind, reds and browns come through with abandon. It looks good.
On first sip, you are greeted with the classic Stone IPA bitterness. It has a very "Christmas" taste. It reminds me of Pyramid's winter brew. Juniper berries used in the brew are apparent. Its not a strong taste, but it is there. There is slight carbonation, which fades quickly. Aftertaste is hops and spice. I like this brew. At 9.0% ABV I was surprised, since it certainly doesn't taste like it. Overall, tis a good beer for the San Diego "Winter," where it gets down to a chilly 60. I definitely recommend swinging by Stone Brew and picking up a few bottles.
Jolly Pumpkin / Nøgne-Ø / Stone Special Holiday Ale
Read the release notes on Stone's blog: http://blog.stonebrew.com/?p=249
It pours smooth, not much foam, makes a decent head. It is dark, like a brown ale, and is opaque. Lit from behind, reds and browns come through with abandon. It looks good.
On first sip, you are greeted with the classic Stone IPA bitterness. It has a very "Christmas" taste. It reminds me of Pyramid's winter brew. Juniper berries used in the brew are apparent. Its not a strong taste, but it is there. There is slight carbonation, which fades quickly. Aftertaste is hops and spice. I like this brew. At 9.0% ABV I was surprised, since it certainly doesn't taste like it. Overall, tis a good beer for the San Diego "Winter," where it gets down to a chilly 60. I definitely recommend swinging by Stone Brew and picking up a few bottles.
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New Belgium Brewing - Fort Collins CO
2 degrees Below Ale - 6.6% ABV
History of the beer: started life as a small batch beer brewed for the Al Johnson Uphill Downhill telemark ski race in Crested Butte CO
Nice caramel color, found it very every day drinkable, not especially holiday-like. Nice hoppy palate and toasted malt as advertised, slightly sweet honey aftertaste. A nice cream colored head held nicely, not carbonated, a pleasant surprise.
New Belgium Brewing - Fort Collins CO
2 degrees Below Ale - 6.6% ABV
History of the beer: started life as a small batch beer brewed for the Al Johnson Uphill Downhill telemark ski race in Crested Butte CO
Nice caramel color, found it very every day drinkable, not especially holiday-like. Nice hoppy palate and toasted malt as advertised, slightly sweet honey aftertaste. A nice cream colored head held nicely, not carbonated, a pleasant surprise.
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Bridgeport Brewing - Portland OR
Ebenezer Ale - 6.4% ABV
Dark Amber, Creamy tan head, dissipates fairly quickly due to carbonation. We felt it was far too carbonated...swirled the glass a lot to let go of the carbonation..this helped bring out the coffee, brown sugar, raisin taste of the beer. It smelled of toasted malt and brown sugar. Felt the scent delivered more than the taste. Did not have the clinging aftertaste that I like to have in a beer..kind of fell short.
Bridgeport Brewing - Portland OR
Ebenezer Ale - 6.4% ABV
Dark Amber, Creamy tan head, dissipates fairly quickly due to carbonation. We felt it was far too carbonated...swirled the glass a lot to let go of the carbonation..this helped bring out the coffee, brown sugar, raisin taste of the beer. It smelled of toasted malt and brown sugar. Felt the scent delivered more than the taste. Did not have the clinging aftertaste that I like to have in a beer..kind of fell short.
