Tag Archives: seasonal

Feb 28 2014
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Beer Reviews, ETC, Seasonal

Schloss Eggenberg Samichlaus Bier

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NAME: Schloss Eggenberg Samichlaus Bier
TYPE: Seasonal Winter Doppelbock
ORIGIN: Austria
ABV: A big ol’14%
REVIEW: Pours medium brown, sweet smelling with a honey and a little maple, strong malt backbone. Sweet taste and a little boozy at the end. Full, creamy mouthfeel. Nice, warm beer for a bitterly cold night in Portland Maine. BTDubs, if you ever find yourself in Portland, do yourself a favor and check out Novare Res. Probably the best beer bar I’ve been to in New England.

goodwilltasting grade: B+.

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Jan 10 2014
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Beer Reviews, IPA, Seasonal

Anchor Steam Celebration Ale

Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale

NAME: Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale 2013
ORIGIN: Chico, CA
TYPE: American IPA
ABV: 6.8%
REVIEW: Dark amber color, strong thyme and pine smell, nice strong hop bite at first, mellows out to a malty and spicy sweetness with clove and anise notes. Crisp mouthfeel with a smooth finish. This ale is ubiquitous for a reason. Nice warming winter IPA that would go well with any thanksgiving feast.

goodwilltasting grade: B+

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Jan 04 2014
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Beer Reviews, Seasonal Image

Slumbrew Yankee Swap

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Here’s another Christmas Ale brewed locally in Ipswich, MA.
Slumbrew Yankee Swap Ale brewed with maple syrup. Ipswich, MA. 12% ABV. Dark brown opaque color, nutty sweet smell, very sugary, boozy taste that’s pretty heavy on the maple syrup. Kinda sickeningly sweet with a short bitter finish. Might be good as a donut glaze but not really a beer. Try dogfish head 75 min IPA for a better use of maple syrup in beer.
goodwilltasting grade: C
EDIT: The taste actually improved as it came up to room temp. So maybe C+ but that is generous. Sorry Slumbrew!
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Jan 04 2014
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Beer Reviews, Seasonal, Stout Image

Anchor Steam Christmas Ale 2013

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Here we have Anchor Steam’s 2013 Christmas Ale! This is something I look forward to all year.  The recipe changes year to year so it’s always a surprise what they’re coming out with.

Winter Warmer Ale, 5.5% ABV. Dark black coca cola color, minimal head with moderate lacing. Pine, nutmeg, clove on the nose, nice nutty, roast-y taste with subtle sweet hop finish. Well done Anchor! I like it more than the 2012. But not as much as the 2011.

goodwilltasting grade: B+

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