Boulevard Nutcracker Ale

So, here we have Boulevard Nutcracker Ale. I haven't had this one in a while, and once more I'm not sure if my decade + notes are up to snuff. Or, maybe they are? So, we'll see. Here come the fresh ones, circa 2014…

Nutcracker Ale, Dry-hopped Winter Warmer. Contains Pure water, barley malt, wheat malt, hops and yeast. 7.8% ABV.

Appearance: hazy, caramel-brown coloring, dark and tawny, beautiful long-lasting off-white head.

Aroma: sweet, toffee-ish, a little herbal, a bit nutty, earthy. Major malt. Sweet 'n' nutty.

Taste: More sweetness meets the lips, tasty, tasty. Butterscotch and toffee. Malty and sweet. Minor hops. Yum. Dark fruit flavors come through, fine and mellow. Smooth, and delicious. The alcohol is starting to creep in. Mm, mm. Nifty nightcap, this. And damned delicious.

Here's what I wrote about 11 years ago….

Boulevard nutcracker
SEASONAL: Winter   IBU: 38   EST. CALORIES: 234   ABV: 7.8%

The time of chestnut-roasting may have nestled to the back of our memories now, but the chill outside still beckons for a winter ale, so let's see how this one holds up…Intriguing appearance, not quite brown, more than red, with a firm, but fallible, toasted tan head of foam. Aroma is evident at first pour, and on initial sniff we encounter mild spices, mellow fruit, dark ones, grape, cherry, plum, etc., and a solid, sweet maltiness. Taste: Nice hoppy buzz at the top, pleasing the palate, spicy/fruity flavor climbs to the fore and washes over the mouthfeel. At once sweet and somewhat sharp. Medium body, but full with flavor, with a tasty, pungent finish, that glides softly off the palate. Best-by date of 2/01/04 is stamped on the bottle, but this sample actually tastes better than the ones I had six weeks ago! Has a Belgian feel to it, actually. And I can dig it.

2/7/04