The Beer Wrangler™ » Christmas Ale

Winter Beer Showdown

The Beer Wrangler — Sat, 11 Dec 2010 05:55:14 +0000

Seasonal beers are filling the shelves right about now, and go well beyond any single type. The basic style is the classic Winter Warmer. This is not usually spiced but brewed to a slightly stronger alcohol volume (6% – 7% is typical for this warming malty style). Specialty Christmas beers take their cues from the old Wassail Ales – spiced, sometimes fortified, mulled beer given to carol singers in Medieval England. Although no longer fortified or served warm, it is usually strong and spiced, rich and filling. There are other winter seasonal ales brewed in the Belgium style. They tend to . . . → Read More: Winter Beer Showdown

Wychwood Bah Humbug Christmas Ale

The Beer Wrangler — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 04:44:16 +0000

Wrangler Rating: (Excellent)

Bah Humbug is Wychwood Brewery’s offering at Christmas time to warm up those cold toes on a winter’s night. This is a very mildly spiced amber ale that is not quite malty enough to be a classic winter warmer, but it doesn’t pretend to be, as it is labelled ‘Christmas Ale’ and implies a more general festive beer, made with the addition of some seasonal flavour. This ale has a pleasant medium-bodied feel to it, with subtle notes of banana and clove; the hops are just detectable too, though mainly on the finish and aftertaste. The solitary added spice . . . → Read More: Wychwood Bah Humbug Christmas Ale

Anchor Brewing ‘Our Special Ale’ 2009 (Christmas Ale)

The Beer Wrangler — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 04:03:50 +0000

Wrangler Rating: (Excellent)

Anchor Brewing famously change the recipe for their Special Ale every year, as well choose a different tree, a symbol of the Winter Solstice, to adorn the label. This version (2009), when held up to the light, has a gorgeously dense ruby colour and an almost creamy pale tan head. The aroma is full of malty molasses with a definite hoppy highlight. The flavours that follow fill the mouth, but don’t overwhelm it; the main taste that starts off is a strong malty one, that develops into a black molasses backbone to the beer. There are some laid-back spicy notes . . . → Read More: Anchor Brewing ‘Our Special Ale’ 2009 (Christmas Ale)

Howe Sound Father John’s Winter Ale

The Beer Wrangler — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 18:16:28 +0000

Wrangler Rating: (Excellent)

Howe Sound Father John’s Winter Ale is a fantastically warming, well spiced brew that comes in a nice 1 litre swing-top bottle. It has a dark amber colour with a loose head, a rich malty aroma with an obvious spiciness. This full-bodied Christmas Ale has a very malty profile that is the backbone for all the other seasonal flavours that are added. Ginger, nutmeg, vanilla, and cinnamon are the spices that give this warming beer bags of flavour, but it is kept well in balance, and not one really dominates. There are also definite notes of the other fermentable additions, . . . → Read More: Howe Sound Father John’s Winter Ale