Follow Sean Inman to the best in craft beer
I saw the re-branded Private Reserve and decided to give it a whirl for the first time in a long time.
This Rogue Brewing beer tastes a little thin for a Belgian dark. Little sour tang and very fruit forward which I wasn’t expecting despite the label clearly stating it. I guess my brain was expecting more barrel notes. The holiday ale pours a near black color with red streaks. Raspberry first then yeasty esters.
Scotch Ale is the order of the day with the annual Bell’s Brewery release of their Christmas Ale. Thanks to increased distribution a lot of the country can now have this malty treat.
Summit Brewing Co. Winter Ale / Minnesota
“One taste and it’s easy to see why the Brits call this style Winter Warmer. Nutty, roasted malt flavor with hints of coffee, caramel, cocoa and a dash of hop spice. It’ll warm your cockles. Whatever those are.”
We travel north of Los Angeles to Kern River for our next holiday beer….
“As the Kernville temps dip our spicy rye Winter Ale warms up the taps. It gets its kick from rye but has plenty of hops to balance out the malt.”
The Brewery – Sawtooth
The Beer – Out Cold Winter Ale
The details:
“For the long winter nights. Brewed with a hearty grain bill, molasses and using British yeast and hops; this beer will likely have you “out cold”.
Goose Island trys a different tack with their 2010 holiday release of a mild.
Here is their description…”Toffee brown, medium-bodied, with a creamy head and an aroma of raisins and freshly baked dark bread. Mild Winter’s rich caramel malt and spicy rye flavors are sure to take the bite out of whatever Old Man Winter brews up for you this year.”
For more details head HERE
Holiday seasonals seem to be showing up left and right. Though I give this one a pass because of the name.
Love the Rankin-Bass.
Here are the specs: “This mythological beer emerges from the depths of our brewery every winter. Made with Cascade, Centennial and Simcoe hops and six organic malts, “A-Bomb” has a complex floral, spicy and citrus hoppiness backed up by just the right amount of malt sweetness. 7.3% ABV.”