We head to Ohio for today’s holiday ale from Hoppin’ Frog who is always good for a good beer name. The beer is described as a “Creamy Swiss-style holiday lager with a malty taste and aroma, low bitterness, and a reddish-brown color. Frogichlaus is mellow and soothing, the perfect beer to settle down for a cold winter’s nap.”
Vanilla IPA?
I am very picky when it comes to Black (Cascadian) IPA’s. Balance is important and that is a hard trick to manage with that sub-style. But I think a Vanilla Bean IPA from the Hoppin’ Frog might be even harder to manage. Would it impart a creamy, nitro-esque note? Or would it become a fight between sweet and bitter. File this under get a taster first.
Christmas Beer of the Day – Frosted Frog
The Brewery – Hoppin’ Frog
The Beer – Frosted Frog (Barrel aged)
The Details
“Barrel-Aged Frosted Frog Christmas Ale has a familiar and satisfying combination of carefully blended Christmas spices in a flavorful nut-brown ale, its like a Christmas cookie in a glass! The extended barrel aging in oak Bourbon casks adds a vanilla-like flavor, creating a smooth character that perfectly compliments the cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg, unlike any other Christmas beer.”
XMAS BEER – Frosted Frog
As part of the 50 States challenge, I knocked Ohio off the list with B.O.R.I.S the Crusher. We return to Hoppin’ Frog for today’s seasonal ale, the Frosted Frog.
Here is what the label trumpets: “The essence of Christmas is captured in this very bottle you are holding. Perfectly blended spices compliment Frosted Frog’s rich malt flavors, creating the ultimate Christmas experience. Celebrate the holidays as you savor this very special seasonal offering.”
I am a fan of the spiced winter warmers.
Shandy – American Style
Not a big fan of the frog on the label, but I thoroughly enjoyed the B.O.R.I.S. that I had from this great Ohio brewery. Now this summer news via their Facebook page, “We are preparing for the release of our Turbo Shandy Citrus Ale around mid June. Alcohol 7% by volume. – Born from European tradition, our Shandy is a refreshing combination of lemon and light malt flavors. Unlike traditional shandys, Turbo Shandy, revs it up a couple of notches with a high test, full flavored approach as only Hoppin’ Frog can do.”
With the addition of another shandy from Leinenkugel, you can have a mini shandy fest!
I know fruit ales get a bad rap but when done right it brings a whole new flavor palette to the game.
50 from 50 – Ohio
This is a big beer. Don’t let the cartoon frog on the label fool you.
