For the 20th beer of the holiday ale round-up, we head to nearby-ish Sierra Madre and the new RT Rogers Brewing Co. for their spiced Brown ale. Sounds like a good option for a Christmas meal beer.
2018 Holiday Beer # 19 – Strong Gale Ale from Buoy Beer
Having visited Buoy Beer this year makes me wish I could get my hands on their winter seasonal…
This 7.7% beer will warm you up when it gets cold, “Brewed with Caramel & Chocolate malts, this Winter Ale has a touch of sweetness and warm roasty aromas capable of weathering any storm. Swells of hop bitterness balance this robust ale with copious amounts of Simcoe, Comet, and Centennial hops.”
2018 Holiday Beer # 18 – Christmas Cactus from Wren House
Arizona is not often included on my annual Christmas beer survey but that changes today with Christmas Cactus from the growing in acclaim Wren House Brewing. It is another fine example of excellent can label design. This time with simplicity and a nice choice of muted color on a white background.
Holiday Beer Review – Three French Hens from The Bruery
At some point around Seven Swans A Swimming, I stopped buying The Bruery Christmas beers based on the infamous math song. Maybe, I came to the realization that I was never going to do a home tasting of all twelve or I was going to find a dinner that had all twelve in smaller amounts. Either way, I only had four bottles left. #3 through #6.
So, in an effort to clear the cellar to a manageable spreadsheet size, I brought all four up to review, starting with Three French Hens…
Warming but not boozy. Lots of Barrel character. A little tannic wine note as well. A touch of spice notes, wish there was more though. How would this be rated amongst all 12? Needed air to dull some sharp edges from initial aroma. Really good dark strong but I could get this in the TJs Vintage Ale for cheaper. Of 3-6, this has not set a super high bar.
2018 Holiday Beer # 17 – Situational Ethics from Monday Night Brewing
Nice and naughty lists meet your ethics….
Coming from the Garage Series of beers from Monday Night Brewing, this beer is a “decadent imperial stouts aged in different barrels. This one just happens to be our Maple-rum barrel aged variety. We combined fresh ginger, nutmeg, Vietnamese cinnamon, cloves and Tahitian vanilla beans for that classic gingerbread aroma and flavor.”
2018 Holiday Beer # 16 – Holiday Gose from Reuben’s Brews
We add a sour to the holiday countdown from Washington State…
Reuben’s Brews, a Seattle based brewery adds a festive ingredient list to their beer with orange spices and cranberry to the traditional German Gose style.
2018 Holiday Beer # 15 – Christmas Ale from Sly Fox
Next up is a Christmas Ale, named Christmas Ale from Sly Fox in Pennsylvania…
filled with, “Expressive mulling spices swirl and mingle in this full-bodied red ale” and covered with gingerbread men on the can.
2018 Holiday Beer # 14 – Shortest Day Winter Ale
The mascot of the Winter Solstice adorns the label of Shortest Day Winter Ale from Full Sail. Read on for more info on this CDA: “Brewed to celebrate the winter solstice, Shortest Day is a Cascadian Dark Ale brewed with 2-Row Pale, Crystal, and de-husked Chocolate malt. It pours a deep dark black with a lacy tan head. With aromas of dark roasty malt and hints of tropical and citrus fruit, Shortest Day offers bold flavor with excellent balance. De-husked chocolate malt imparts dark chocolate flavor while crystal adds depth and complexity. Generous additions of Mosaic, Simcoe and Citra hops lend flavors of fruit and sweet floral notes.”
2018 Holiday Beer # 13 – Santa, I Know Him from Evil Genius
Another great holiday beer name but I picked this one because of the tea. Chamomile tea to be precise. It would take an Evil Genius to add that to a beer.
2018 Holiday Beer # 12 – Office Party from Abita Brewing
Winner of best holiday beer name this year is….
Office Party from Abita Brewing in Louisiana. Labeled a holiday stout, this beer is “brewed with oats, pale, caramel, and chocolate malts, and is hopped with Willamette hops. Generous amounts of cocoa nibs, cinnamon, vanilla, and nutmeg are added to infuse the spirit of the holidays into this limited release.”