‘Hazy, crisp and bright’ gold-hued Xmas ale lacks full-blown seasonal resolve, becoming slightly arid by the citric-spiced finish. Refreshing orange-peeled lemon zest sparks ginger-minted cinnamon and nutmeg spicing as well as dainty currant and juniper illusions above meager wheat-dried pale malting.
On tap at Growler & Gill, warbling egg nog-like milk-sugared whipped creaming fades as sugar-spiced IPA fruiting (lemon, grapefruit, clementine) gains sharp hop bite. Wintry cinnamon, nutmeg and vanilla accents bring gingerbread reminder to moderate-bodied winter warmer.
On tap at Plank Pizza, sugary cinnamon apple spicing and mild gingerbread stint gain pastry-like malt sweetness to contrast lingering astringent hop bitterness of well-designed hybridized IPA.
Caution: absurdly hot ghost peppering remains highly assaultive and dangerous to sensitive tongues. Immense chili pepper heat intensified further by serrano, jalapeno, habanero, fresno and anaheim varieties. In the far distance, sweet thai, cayenne and red peppering contrast the tongue-burning scorch. Depleted pale malt base and zesty lemon snip neutralized by major six-alarm chili fire.
On tap at Poor Henry’s, slick honeyed nectarine sweetness proves too whimsical for oncoming citric-spiced hop resonance, subtle orange blossom honey licks and cozy cracked coriander whims. Mild mandarin orange, tangerine and peach undertones regale zesty orange peel briskness just beneath the surface. May need deeper mandarin orange and nectar thrust.
Relegated chipotle burn gains strength at mocha-doused finish, penetrating chicory-rooted rye dryness, toasted oak smokiness, roasted chocolate malting and wispy citric nip. Light poblano, chili and jalapeno heat reinforces mild chipotle adjunct.
“Egregious” 2015 blend sequesters Stone’s Arrogant Bastard (7%ABV), Double Bastard (11%) and Oaked Arrogant Bastard in Kentucky bourbon barrels while adding serrano chili peppering for moderate jalapeno-like heat. Subtle bourbon influence picks up dry peat whiskey licks over light wood char. As peppery heat subsides, dark chocolate malts surge. But busy elixir lacks sweetness for contrast and needs firmer direction at murky finish.
Uniquely designed holiday ale brings honey and ginger root adjuncts to spruce-tipped hop freshener, toasted caramel malting and dank cellar musk. Sweet orange peel briskness emerges alongside tertiary black cherry, raisin and fig illusions as well as wintry cinnamon-clove-nutmeg adjuncts at the busy eucalyptus-honeyed citrus finish.
FDR’s Depression Era presidential chats inspired enchanting English-styled winter warmer (7.9% ABV). Brown-sugared Christmas spicing coats caramel-burnt toffee sweetness, cocoa-powdered brown chocolate creaminess, syrupy molasses sapping and phenol hop grind. Nimble ginger-nutmeg-cinnamon seasoning and mild green raisin dalliance make contact with latent burgundy-port nuances.
By combining ground cinnamon sweetness with white long-grain rice, white-sugared vanilla extract and zesty yellow fruiting, crisply carbolic moderation happily recalls Mexican horchata dessert. Spritzy lemon zest brings brisk respite. Though novel dessert flavor profile thins out, its cinnamon apple-spiced finish leaves a pleasant reminder.
Wavering wintry spicing (cinnamon-nutmeg-allspice) dissipates and molasses-sugared gingerbread theme loses luster as toasted amber ale base falters. In the recess, phenol prune, raisin and fig illusions reside.
Festive white ale “brewed with spices” circa 2015 brings dry hop linger to sweet orange-peeled cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger seasoning as well as lemony banana tartness, but overt carbolic fizz gets in the way of true fruit-spiced holiday splendor. Perhaps heightened sugarplum, coriander and clove illusions would sweeten the pot and block out some fizz.
