Busier and better than most blue-collar High Falls brews, this nifty holiday ale induces amiable allspice, cinnamon, and nutmeg spicing to counter subtle orange peel bittering. On downside, brown-sugared chocolate-molasses malts and tertiary pumpkin pie-gingerbread illusions rub up against dismal diacetyl astringency.
Tag Archives: winter ale
(HUYGHE) DELIRIUM NOCTURNUM ALE
Funky yeast souring envelops overripe raisin-fig conflux embodying tingly carbonated elegance of unassuming mahogany-tinted winter warmer. Moderate silken creaminess complements fleeting brown sugar-spiced finish, but indefinite peppery hop bitterness, acrid cork-y grape dryness, scattered cherry tartness and metallic tinniness neutralize overall effect of strong 8.5% alcohol pungency.
NEW BELGIUM 2 BELOW ALE
(RIDGEWAY) VERY BAD ELF SPECIAL RESERVE ALE
SLY FOX CHRISTMAS 2007 ALE
Uncertain herbal-toned winter warmer boasts undeniable ginger frontage sweetened by sticky black licorice tongue, peppermint candied coolness, and teasing eucalyptus minting. After few swallows, sassafras-root beer component builds, but ruinous salty seaweed astringency outpaces advertised nutmeg-clove spicing.
WURZBURGER HOFBRAU BAVARIAN HOLIDAY BEER
ABITA CHRISTMAS ALE (2006)
ANDERSON VALLEY WINTER SOLSTICE – 2006
CAPTAIN LAWRENCE NOR’EASTER WINTER WARMER
Bold bourbon-barreled mahogany-hued seasonal may lack advertised elderberry influence, but smoked molasses malting, Belgian-styled candied yeast, and restrained medicinal warmth pick up slack alongside compelling chocolate liqueur creaminess. Beneath, earthen peat saturates dry fig-date surge, black licorice splurge, and purple grape-wined swerve to resonant burgundy finish. Burnt toast murk coarsens latent fruitcake whim.
FLYING DOG K-9 CRUISER WINTER ALE
(HUYGHE) DELIRIUM NOEL
Pink elephants front Santa’s sleigh on snowy X-mas label of creamy prune-hued holiday treat. Acute clove-nutmeg spicing gets sprinkled atop sour apple tartness and strengthening bruised orange tang. But arid sugar plum-raisin finish lacks resolve despite 10% alcohol punch. On tap, smoked cedar mouthfeel, burnt nuttiness, and drier citric spurt increase depth and clarity.