christmas

Anchor Christmas Ale 2008

Style: 
Other
Rating: 
4

Anchor Brewing Company's annual Christmas Ale is a highly anticipated treat in the holiday beer season and the 2008 edition marks its 34th annual release.  The hook that makes this beer so much fun is that the beer & its label changes every year and its ingredients are top secret. This year's edition is dark in color - a deep brownish amber, opaque.  Its has a rich brown creamy foam that lingers like a good Irish Stout.  The nose has no discernible hop notes, but instead offers caramel, vanilla & fig aromas.

Full Moon Winter Ale

Style: 
Abbey Ale
Rating: 
3

In the midst of last minute shopping on Dec 24th, I stopped to pick up some holiday beers to bring along on the Christmas party circuit.  Based on how much I liked Wachusett's Green Monsta Ale, I was eyeing their Winter Ale - but scotch ale's just don't do it for me.  While looking for alternatives, the clerk at the package store recommended Blue Moon's Full Moon Winter Ale.

Its a deep reddish brown color, with a nice velvety head.  The aroma is sweet, body is medium - not too sweet or cloying.  The alcohol is listed at 5.9%, less than a classic Belgian Abbey ale, but this works in its favor -

Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale

Style: 
Other
Rating: 
5

A hop lovers beer for cold winter nights, Celebration is like a combination between a bitter IPA with a malty Altbier finish.  It got a very aromatic nose, with strong pine, floral notes and a very bitter flavor - all hop bite, heavy on the cascades.    However, the thing that makes this beer for me is the rich malty finish. Once you get through the bitter start, its got a rich malty flavor with a sweet finish. Reddish orange in color, this beer is a perennial highlight of the holiday season and the 2008 edition is no exception.

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