Victory Merry Monkey

 Victory Merry Monkey. Belgian/style ale with cranberry, orange peel, cinnamon and nutmeg.

10 % ABV, 35 IBU, Victory Brewing, Downington, PA. 

Christmas is long over, the New Year in full swing, what better time to cozy up with a holiday ale?

Clear, with an odd complexion..,dark orange? Ruddy red? Light burgundy? With a brief white head. 

In the nose…sweet, fruity, tart, spicy. Quite a lot going on. Rather delightful.

In the mouth: holiday spices lead the surge. Gingerbread dunked in cranberry juice. Orange peel shows itself, mingled with nutmeg, all on top of a tripel, the most of which remains is the alcohol level. A warming, and charming,

This Belgian-style Holiday Ale combines the beloved flavor profile of Golden Monkey with notes of cranberry, orange peel, cinnamon and nutmeg to deliver a delightfully smooth finish, perfect for merry gatherings with family and friends.

Beaver Island Tip Up Winter Ale

Beaver Island Tip Up Winter Ale. "Dam. Fine. Beer"

7.5 % ABV, 33 IBU. Beaver Island Brewing, St. Cloud, MN. 

Clear, mahogany hue, slim off-white head. 

In the nose: Malty. Slight spice. Spruce. Whiffs of dark fruit, berries. 

In the mouth: Mmm. It all comes together. Beautiful blend of spruce tips, hops, rich smoked malt. Medium bodied, highly flavorful, and fairly easy drinking for such a complex arrangement. So many flavors are at play on the palate that one is forced to take it slow and luxuriate, savoring the feeling, letting it flow. Spruce is bouncing well off the hops, and the malt holds it all in place, delivering warm feels to hold us through the cold. Quite likable. Go get yourself some. 

Our Tip-Up winter ale is brewed with a touch of smoked German beechwood malt, the first locally grown and pelletized hops, and a late kettle addition of young spruce tips. Our hope is to encompass the joys of MN winters; a warming fire, the scent of conifers, and a satisfying day on the lake waiting for the big one to hit our line.  

Hammerheart Midvinter Ol 2020

Hammerheart Midvinter Ol 2020. Aquavit Barrel-aged Black Ale brewed with spices. 

12 % ABV, Brewed and bottled by Hammerheart Brewing, Lino Lakes, MN. 

I have checked into Hammerheart Brewing 70 times on Untappd. Let's look back at some of them: The Fire of Muspel on tap at Acadia back in February of last year. Ah, the before-times. Nehushtan on tap at Acadia, November of 2019. Lingonberry infused Surtr's Flame, September, 2019, Acadia. Flaming Longship, Thor's Imperial Porter, Dunkenwald, Leif's Lager, all kegs that I chose, ordered, tapped and served at Acadia. Next, Valkyrie's Tears, a bottle, purchased at 1010 Washington, in March of 2019. Then some more bottles, also bought at that store, right around then. 

It's been that long since I've enjoyed some Hammerheart from a bottle. They're actually doing the 16-ounce can 4-pack thing now, and as you can tell, I've haven't brought home any of them, which is a source of great shame. There's no excuse for it. (Here's a hint about why: I keep chasing after IPAs.) I have been working for nearly 4 months at a store that tries to keep stocked with all of their cans at all times. I'll fix that soon. But before that, another bottle. (But first, another note. I've had the bourbon barreled version of this, back in March of 2018, also on tap at Acadia. First time for this one, though.) 

Solid blackness, rich brown head of foam, complete opacity. Looking great. 

In the nose: Spruce makes a splash, before bowing before chocolate, molasses, dark fruits and more. Aquavit even shows up for a bit. Complexities upon complexities. 

In the mouth: Rich, thick, boozy and dangerous. I can feel the barrel effects, but the nature of the aquavit escapes me. I haven't had enough to know. But I'm getting it...like a vodka or another clear spirit (tequila) with spruce dripped over it. And the richness of the dark ale below it. A luxurious treat that can't be beat. Small bitterness. Great balance in a very big, boisterous beer. Alcohol starts booming. 

And I dub thee: Yum a dum dum.

A dark roast beer inspired by traditional Scandanavian Jul Ol. Rich and slightly bitter with a touch of spices for the beauty of snowy Minnesota winters. Aged in Game Ode Aquavit barrels for several months. 

Broken Clock Nordic Night Winter Porter / MN Breweries One by One #120

Broken Clock Nordic Night Winter Porter. 6.3% ABV, 46 IBU. Broken Clock Brewing Cooperative, Minneapolis, MN.

To the eye: Dark brown color, with ruby highlight, under a solid cocoa-tinged slice of foam.

In the nose: Some sweetness, a little fruit, a touch of spice, but altogether a malty affair. There's an interesting blend of spices here, mingling with the cocoa, caramel, & coffee underneath.

In the mouth: Warm and flavorful from the first sip. Medium bodied, long malty finish. Nice integration of flavors, well balanced. Great iteration of a spiced wintry porter. I haven't had one of those in a while, and they can be a refreshing change of pace.

Official word from the brewery: Chocolate and spice aroma with strong dark chocolate and toffee flavors intermingled with spices, including nutmeg, allspice, ginger, and cinnamon. 

This will be the seventh beer I've tried from this brewery, thanks to samples. And I've decided to make this post also Minnesota Breweries One by One # 120, because I paid them a visit back on Saturday, September 16, in between my first taste of Head Flyer and my first time at the new 56 brewing facility.

Broken Clock is at 3134 California Street in NE Minneapolis, occupying the same space as 56 before them, and NorthGate before that. Their operations are hindered in the same way as those others due to their lack of proper rest room facilities, which prohibits them from running a taproom on premises. Occasionally they are allowed certain "pint nights" when they may serve sixteen ounces to customers, as long as they've rented out a Biffy, or any other brand of portable water closet.

I'd first heard of Broken Clock through the promotions of my friend Dale Thomas, one of the directors of this collective. At the time, there was some confusion between this upcoming brewery and another with a similar-sounding name, Clockwerks. In hindsight, we can surely have two "Clock" breweries, just as we have three that start with "In-" and two that start with "North", despite occasional lawsuits.

As stated above, I got to try their beers through samples and have had two of their beers on tap at Acadia, where I'm in charge of ordering. I like supporting the plucky upstarts and these guys are as plucky as any of them. It helps, also, if the beer is quality stuff, and it is.

This was stop number three for me on the 16th of September, after a fight and some at Headflyer and a pint at Bauhaus to stop and figure out how to get there. It wasn't hard at all, since I'd been there before last October, when I stopped in at 56 Brewing at that location. You do have to look for it, though. This was not one of those aforementioned pint nights, just a regular tastings and growlers/crowler sales. They would let you drink your crowler on premise, if you wished, using

Clocks are not only in the logo at Broken Clock.

plastic cups that they provide. There wasn't anything on at the time that I hadn't had yet, or hadn't reviewed here before, so I sampled them again while talking to the brewers who were manning the taps. Took home a Sundial IPA in a crowler, but chose to save it for later, rather than consuming all 750 milliliters there at the picnic table. I would have needed a friend to help me out with that.

I was up-to-date with Broken Clock at that time, but when I check Untappd, it seems that I've missed out on an Imperial Stout called RISe', and a Spruce ESB. I like what they're doing here, and it seems like they're using a home-brewer's sense of experimentation and achieving professional results.

So, it looks like I need to get out there again and keep with their new products. I can't always expect to stay on top of the scene by waiting for breweries to bring me samples. I mean, that would be great, of course. And is it that much to ask, really? (Dear readers: this is one of those statements that I make from time to time that is meant to be read tongue in cheek.)

Never mind, I'll check in on Broken Clock very soon.  Nice beers, all around. Keep 'em coming guys.

Schell's Snowstorm 2015: Wallonian Brown Ale

And now, another case of tardiness on my part. Snowstorm 2015 has been out for quite some time, and I went through a half-barrel keg of it at Acadia well over a month ago, and I never took notes. So, I bought a 12-pack, went through 11 bottles and kept the last one for this occasion. Our first really big  snowfall of the season. Winter Storm Kayla, they call her, and she dumped nearly a foot of snow on us. Blustery winds, too. It wouldn't have felt right to drink it the other day when it was in the 40's, or when it was sub-zero, but without much snow on the ground. Now we have snow, and it's time to break out the 'storm. This one is called a Wallonian Brown Ale, whatever the heck that is.

6.2% ABV.

Clear, reddish brown coloring, small dark head, soon disappearing.

Sweet, fruity aroma, laden with Belgian yeast character. Malt-forward, traces of bubblegum and banana, plus cocoa and caramel.

In the mouth, sweet malty flavor is on top, some hop bitterness, but it's low and aids the balance. Cocoa and caramel meet Belgian yeast yumminess. More of that banana and bubblegum mixing with the toffee and molasses. Medium-bodied, easy-drinking. I like it.

Now, this Wallonian Brown Ale thing. I know that Wallonia is a region of Belgium, but I didn't not know that was a stylistic designation. So, I googled it. The first thing that comes up is this beer. Next, we get a reference to Rochefort 8. The, Caracole Nostradamus. These are significantly stronger "brown ales" that I would actually call a quad, or at least a Belgian strong dark ale, though not quite a dubbel. And this version is significantly weaker than those. I wouldn't mind seeing Schell's go the distance on something like that, but that's not what the Snowstorm series is for. It seems as if they made and intentionally weaker version of what is supposed to be a deep, rich, complex and strong brown ale. Just for fun, do a Google image search on "Wallonian brown ale", and you'll see that it's mostly about this beer, with some McChouffe and Nostradamus tossed in, along with other non-Wallonian "brown ales."

Here's what Schell's says on their website: The Snowstorm of 2015 draws inspiration from the artisinal and experimental traditions of the Wallonian brewers to create a malt-focused brown ale with hints of nut, biscuit and stone fruit.

That sounds about right. In any case, it's a good beer and I could drink it. I'm glad Schell's made it.

Minnesota Breweries One by One: #1: Sisyphus Brewing, Minneapolis, with Winter Warmer

It's 2016, everyone! hooray! And it has been for a good, solid week, now. And what did I do? Well, I was under the weather for a bit and down in the dumps for a while, too. But, we shouldn't wallow, should we? We should correct this and soldier on as only we, I mean I, know how. And what am I going to do? Make an effort to hit up all the Minnesota breweries through the year, visiting so many I've never seen before, and revisiting old favorites.

This idea occurred to me last week, and I thought about making at least one post a week from a Minnesota brewery, based on a visit, reviewing a new beer. It could be more than one post a week, and if it wasn't, how could I get to our more than 100 breweries in a year? Is it possible? Of course. Can I do it? I'll try.

So I look back on week one, January 1-7, and where did I go? On Saturday, 1/2, I stepped foot into Minneapolis Town Hall Brewery and had a handful of great ones, then Sisyphus, later that night. I will probably save MTHB, which is one of my most common haunts, until Barrel-aged week in about a month. Last night, Thursday the 7th, I went to Sisyphus again, this time to see owner and brewer Sam Harriman headline a comedy night. I had no idea what I was in for. And I took home a crowler of Winter Warmer, which I missed out on a few weeks ago.


Sisyphus Winter Warmer. 6.7% ABV. 30 IBU. Filled: 1/7.

Mostly hazy, nearly burgundy in color, a reddish-brown to be plain, with a full, cocoa-tinged head. Looking good.

Aroma: nutty, cocoa-y, creamy, smooth malt notes. Very nice.

In the mouth: starts out slightly fierce and hoppy, then all is smooth and malty. Terrific balance, fiery at first, full of flavor, heat, and some spice, then more. Vanilla is here, cherries, too. Rich malt. Slight hops. Terrifically tasty. Medium-bodied, fairly easy-drinking, full of rich malty flavor. Lots of complexity in this one, and it's a true winter warmer in all regards. I am very happy with this one. I'll drink one whenever I see it. Yum, I say. Yum, indeed.

I talked about Sisyphus several times in the past. (Hey, if you don't want to wade though all those posts, just check this one out.) I find myself increasingly happy with their output these days. There's rarely a beer I don't like. With this visit, I took in stand-up in the performance room for the first time, and got to see what Sam's comedy is all about. I had no clue what it would be? Impressions? Props? Scatological humor? I was not disappointed, and maybe a little bit shocked. In truth, I hadn't laughed so hard in quite a long time. I recall some of Sam's jokes at his wife's expense, while she switched duties between both sides of the bar, then, later, while he gotten into even sicker stuff, pulling out the smartphone to record the set. I sort of wished I'd done the same. I never got out the camera device, and just relaxed and enjoyed the show. How do you know I was there, then? How can I illustrate this evening?
 I will borrow a picture that my brother-in-law took that same evening, and posted on Facebook. I'm sure he won't mind. I do wish I'd thought to snap a shot of Sam onstage, but sometimes I just want to live life, and not document or record it. Don't you just want to turn off that modern urge once in a while?

......

So, the year-long project begins. To clarify it one more time: At least once a week, one blog post based on a visit to a local brewery, with a new beer review from that visit, with no brewery to be repeated, (more clarification: of course I will return to breweries and their beers after they're tagged in "minnesota breweries one by one", but they won't return to the series.), urging me to keep getting out there and documenting my visits to the Minnesota brewing scene. Do I stay safe and hit up a local, South Minneapolis brewery next, or get out to St. Paul, or plot a course to get to one of the suburban breweries, or even further out-state? That is the quest. Watch this space.

Barley John's Brewing Company Boggan Brew Winter Ale

I bought a growler of this at the brewery a week ago, and can't find information about it anywhere. Not on their website, not on ratrbeer.com, not on beeradvocate.com, not on untapped....oh, wait, there it is! Way to go, untapped! So, now I know that it's 8.5% ABV and 50 IBUs. I ordered it after a few pints at the bar, with Joe and Liz, and told the bartender to let John know I said Hi, and he said, tell him yourself, he's in the brewery. Nice visit, though we didn't get a tour. They were busy, though.

So, this is my first Barley John's Brewing beer brewed for the New Richmond, Wisconsin Brewing Company first, not originated in New Brighton, MN.

Dark burgundy coloring, slim head, settling into a tight ring.

Aroma: there's the wintry spices. Nutmeg, clove. Ginger. Deep maltiness, sweetness cut by just enough hop bitterness.

In the mouth: Spices grab hold first and foremost. Hop bitterness catches up quickly. Juicy malt holds down the fort. Spices getting sweet, and just a touch hot. Ginger comes through over all, and I'm liking it. Steer clear if you're not into it.

Rich and malty, warming, toffee-sweet, but strong on the spice. That doesn't bother me, so I'm into this one.

Here's how John describes it: My hearty winter ale has warm malt flavors and a spicy hop finish. It's the perfect robust brew to take the chill out of winter. Here we gnome a-wassailing! Enjoy! - Barley John

Goose Island Winter Ale

Goose Island Winter Ale. Formerly known as Hexnut Brown Ale, one of their staple ales in years gone by.

Clear, dark chestnut brown coloring, sizable head that slims down.

Rich, malty, semi-sweet, nuts and toffee. Nice.

In the mouth, ...mmmm. Yeah. It just what it is. A little roasted malt, just short of dry, a beautiful balance. Some caramel, some chocolate, a little nutty, staying shy of sweet.

What do they say about it? Layered with rich, nutty chocolate notes and malty, roasted caramel flavors, our brown ale gives you plenty to contemplate on long winter nights.
RECIPE INFORMATION
Style: Winter Ale
Alcohol by Volume: 5.3%
International Bitterness Units: 25 IBU
Color: Umber
Hops: Fuggle
Malts: 2-Row, Caramel-60, Wheat, Dark Chocolate, Victory

This doesn't seem like what I remember the Hexnut Brown to be, but that was a long time ago. As for this Winter Ale, I like it. I could drink it. It's good beer. And there ain't nothing wrong with it.

Bent Paddle Harness the Winter IPA

Bent Paddle Harness the Winter IPA, Winter India Pale Ale, 7.2% Alc./Vol. Brewed and packaged by Bent Paddle Brewing Company, Duluth, MN. Contains: water, hops, malted barley, rye, oats, yeast.

Appearance: slightly hazed, gleaming crimson coloration, creamy, off-white, long-lasting head.

Aroma: Big hoppiness pops right out of the glass and into the nose, a blend of citric, piney, tropical fruit notes, with spicy rye malt aromatics close behind. A particularly beautiful blend of hop flavors.

Taste: Bam! Bitter hop bite kicks it off, with smooth and semi-sweet malt flavors rounding it out. Terrific balance here, outstanding taste, and great drinkability. Tasty, tasty, tasty. Medium bodied, long, bittersweet finish. I can't stop saying good things about this beer. It hits me right where I live.

The can has something to say: "Our Winter IPA was brewed in honor of the boundless energy and tenacious character of the sled-dog. Brewed for heatiness with oats, rye and malted barley. The comfort of malt sweetness harnesses the cold crisp citrus notes from the hops. This winter IPA is the perfect way to celebrate bounding through the deep snow."

Brooklyn Winter Ale

Brooklyn Winter Ale. Brewed and bottled by Brooklyn Brewery, Utica, NY. 6.1% Alc by Vol.

Appearance: clear, light brown color, slim light brown head.

Aroma: Caramel malt meets toffee and nuts with a touch of cocoa.

Taste: Sweet malt greets the palate, with a minor dose of hop bitterness for balance. A little bit of cocoa to match the caramel and toffee. Sweetness continues, and it's tasty stuff in this malt-driven winter ale. While I like the taste, it's a bit too sweet for my tastes. Medium-bodied, long, malty sweet finish, ends on a dry note. It's alright, but I wouldn't want more than a couple at a time.

 What's the label say? "Inspired by the old ales of blustery Scotland and brewed in defiance of the cold wind off the East River. Brooklyn Winter Ale is richly malty, full-bodied, and delicious. It's lightly caramelized and roasted flavors are perfect with stews, roasts, holiday dishes, many cheeses or all by itself. See? You're feeling warmer already."

Southern Tier Old Man Winter Ale

Southern Tier Old Man Winter Ale. Brewed with 3 varieties of hops and 2 types of malts. Brewed and bottled by Southern Tier Brewing Company, Lakewood, NY. USA. Alc 7% by Vol.

Appearance: rich burgundy hue, slim white head.

Aroma: fruity, malty aromatics. Increasingly rich and complex flavors emerge. Enticing, inviting.

Taste: A rush of malt in the mouth, full, flush, and fruity. A little toasty, some caramel and toffee malt flavors. Nice notes of bitter hops, some apple and cherry coming through. Definitely a feel of an English winter warmer, nearly a barley-wine…on the fringes of one.

Medium body. Great balance. Good flavor. Fine drinking. That'll make a nice session for a cold night.
(and, yes, I said "session" referring to a 7% beer, that's my kind of session.)

Samuel Smith's Winter Welcome

I've got something to say that will not surprise you: This post is far too late. Right now, winter has worn out it's welcome. How about a Winter Goodbye?

Okay, on with the beer...


Samuel Smith's Winter Welcome. Here's a brew that once upon a time, way back when, I would look forward to every year, and anticipate the changing of the labels. I haven't touched a bottle in years. Why not revisit it? And will it be another case where my 11-year old notes are still satisfactory? I decided it was not.

So, I'm opening a recent bottle, and taking new notes…here we go…

the 2013/2014 edition once again, as always, features the quote from W. Shakespeare, "Blessing of your heart you brew good ale." New this year, a depiction of one the shire horses of Samuel Smith, being fed.

Clear, light amber/caramel-toned appearance, under a lush off-white head.

Aroma: Uniquely British. Fuggles? East Kent Goldings? wormwood? It's a malty nose, yeasty, caramel and toffee notes. Hops are low.  Nicely balanced.

Taste: Hop bitterness comes to the fore here in the taste, shines for a moment, then fades as malt takes over. From their, it's nothing but balance. Nothing dominates, nothing goes forward. Sweet malt and bitter hops keep things going on the tongue.

Now, the problem I'm having is that this is an utterly English ale, but it doesn't seem especially special, and hasn't any particular qualities that set it apart as a winter seasonal. I feel that it ought to be bigger in one way or another, maltier, hoppier, stronger in some way.

Let's pause and read the label: "This seasonal beer is a limited edition brewed for the short days and long nights of winter, the full body resulting from fermentation in stone Yorkshire squares, and the luxurious malt character, which will appeal to a broad range of drinkers, is balanced by against whole-dried Fuggle and Golding hops with nuances and complexities that should be contemplated before an open fire." 6.0% ALC./VOL.

Yeah, except it's not really all that. It's tasty, it's delicious, and satisfying, but nothing more. And I want it to be more. I also wonder what it was in the past. The last time I published notes on this beer was back in February of 2003. I didn't rely on those old notes to represent this bottle, because I can't find any resemblance. Here they are, for old times sake:

2001 bottle, reviewed in December '02. Now why is it I never saw the '02 anywhere? So, the question is :how does it hold up after a year?
Thin white head, dark reddish appearance. Vinous nose, raisin, reminds me of a barleywine, but just a smidge. Spicy, aromatic, with notes of vanilla, sweet and malty. Smooth, and quite downable, with just enough flavor.
This used to be a wintertime staple for me, but I've fallen for the darker, bolder type of winter ales.
Quite good after 12 months, nothing wrong with it at all, though it tastes maltier than bottles I had last winter.

Kasteel Winter Ale

Kasteel Winter, Belgian Ale, Ingelmunster, Castle Brewery, Van Honsebrouck, Belgium. 11 % ABV. bottled on 07/10/13. No further information, no gobbledygook. Guess we have to open it up and drink it. Sigh. Tough work. (I've since checked the brewery's website, and it's not listed there yet.)

Appearance: Jet black, fully opaque, slimmed tannish head.

Aroma: Espresso, cocoa, dates and figs. A little vanilla below. Many layers of complexity.

Taste: Hmm. Major coffee flavor. Rich, roasted malt. This doesn't give me what I love about the other Kasteel beers, namely the exquisite Belgian yeast strains. I'm sure it's in there somewhere, but this coffee flavor blankets over all in this. I like coffee beers, to be sure, but don't expect them or desire them in winter seasonals or Belgian brews. Sometimes you have to shed your expectations, drop your desires, and merely enjoy what is, for what it is. And this appears to be a Belgian coffee stout, which is a unique creature, and quite a good one at that.

Full bodied, long, malty, coffee-ful finish. (Yes, I invented a new word.) There's got to be other spices here, as well, for I'm feeling that, too, a bit more in the flavor than merely coffee. But that remains the main flavor component, and it really shines. Alcohol is not felt strongly, but give it time, it'll come.

I continue in, and the coffee flavor only gets stronger and bolder, and I find myself more and more enamored of it. Mmm, I say. Ah, I reply to myself. Oooh, I conclude.

Indeed Stir Crazy Winter Ale

Indeed Stir Crazy Winter Ale, Minneapolis, Minnesota.

This is a pint from the second keg I've had on tap. Haven't had a chance to sit down and think about one during the span of the first keg. So, here we go…

Dark brown body, small reddish highlights at bottom and sides, small off-white, turning tan.

Aroma: earth and malt, hints of ginger, juniper and other spices, but they are only hints. Some roast in this, but not much, plenty of deep, dark malt. I like it.

Taste: Mmm. Floods the mouth with warm, happy maltiness. Not in anyway overboard in the alcohol department (6.5% ABV). Richness, but not sweetness, A little spice from the malt, and just enough hops to keep the tongue tingled. Hearty stuff. Tasty, toast, and just a little roasty. I can sit with this one, one after another. Good, good, good stuff, Indeed. I'll keep this going as long as I can!

Here's the official word on it:
Stir Crazy Winter Ale, a 6.5% abv winter warmer clocking in at 22 IBUs. Layers of malty goodness, a dark ruby colored winter warmer ale deliver satisfying notes of chocolate and rich caramel; while pulverized rasins and brown sugar provide a fruity complexity that warms you from within.

Raisins? Brown sugar? I forgot about that! Well, it didn't stick out, it just added to the wonderful stew of this complex wintry brew.

I'll say it again: Nice work! Love to see it canned, though. Maybe next year?

Indeed Old Friend Holiday Ale

Indeed Old Friend Holiday Ale. ("What Grinchitude is this? "Holiday"? No Christmas? Bah, Humbug!") I kid, I kid.

Deep, dark  crimson coloring, especially when held to the light, clear, and beautiful. Creamy, off-white head.

Spices leap out of the glass. Cinnamon and ginger first, and maybe nutmeg. Very strong and lively. Sweet, dark malt beneath. Nicely spicy.

Taste: Mmm. Gingerbread cookie dunked in warm cocoa. Delightful blend of spices floods the mouth, slips down the palate and lays in for the long haul. The alcohol in the one is a very manageable 7%, there is little to no heat, apart from that which the spices deliver. No heat, but lots of warmth.
Medium-bodied, long, slightly sweet finish. It's lovely, put simply, a very tasty holiday treat.

I'm going to take a minute to read the back of this label, from the first bottle of this kind (silkscreened graphics, wax-dipped top) from Indeed.
Good tidings to you, Old Friend. We brew our limited release Holiday Ale with fresh ginger root and a hefty dollop of family harvested honey. This fireside companion has a deep ruby-colored body with layers of malt complexity and an intense ginger aroma. Reunite with friends, old and new, and celebrate the season with an Old Friend by your side. Cheers!

(Hmmm, now I wonder, is it a blend of spices? Is there more than ginger, if that's all that's mentioned. I could be feeling this additional flavors from the malt. Or maybe there are other spices, that just are worth mentioning, aside from the fresh ginger root? I should find out.)

Odell Isolation Ale

Notes from my first bottle sample, way back in January, 2004, drinking off tap right now:


Appearance: a deep copper color, with slight haze, under a fine chunk of creamy foam that too-soon gives way and deteriorates, but leaves lace.

Aroma: intriquing...mysterious...that only begins to describe the olfactory investigation, dominated neither by malt or hop, suggesting no particular flavor, vegetable before bequeathing fruit, rich and squalid, languorous while luxuriant, a copious compendium of complexity and contradiction.

Taste: bitterness up front, a swift hoppy cameo, then supported by hearty malt, brimming with sweet, yet dark fruit, with some touches of tartness conquering the palate at times, like a lemon to match the peach.
A mad mix this is, really, a curious winter warmer that complies to no particular style, and conforms to no ale I've yet to sip. That, though, makes it hard to judge, for though I admire it very much, I never quite got chummy with it.

...no, wait, that's what I thought 15 minutes ago...now, I'm starting to come around...yeah, I could do with more of this! Not a lot more, but a bit, at least..

Schell's Snowstorm 2012

Schell's Snowstorm 2012 Biere de Noel Beer, August Schell Brewing Company, New Ulm, MN.

Clear, auburn/crimson hue, small, soon-gone white head.

Aroma: Malty and distinctly lovely. Belgian sweetness and Belgian funk. Flowery, fruity, and utterly delightful.

Taste: On the lips and tongue, a repeat of the nose. Sweetness hits, with a small, almost indiscernible dose of hops, with lush malt carrying the character. Belgian yeast delivers plenty of flavor.

I've never heard of the style "biere de noel", but if they are referring to a Belgian Christmas Ale, which is a rather loose style, this one delivers, though it also feels like a biere de garde. A bit more flavorful, spicier version?

Medium body, long, malty/spicy finish, forever flavorful.

Let's see what the paper tells us: Well, it's the same thing they put on every Snowstorm label. Let's see if we can find anything online...

Brasserie de la Senne Equinox Belgian dark ale

Brasserie de la Senne Equinox. Belgian winter ale, but since I'm tapping this in June, I've been omitting that in every thing I say or write about this beer. Call it a Belgian strong dark ale, and that's good enough. It's not as if it's overloaded with cinnamon or ginger or anything that would give it away as a wintry-styled ale.

Wonderful dark appearance, utterly black, with a large creamy, long-lasting head. Just gorgeous. This head does not diminish, and the tan froth last slong and represents.

Aroma: Belgian yeast and malt, first and foremost, spicy, malty, creamy, mmmm. oats and porridge meets clove and cinnamon, maybe. Clean, fresh, and beautiful.

taste: Some cola on the palate first, some dark malty flavors, some nut brownish association, not quite enough roast and toast, but still a very rich, full bodies malty Belgian-style flavor.
 There's a never-ceasing attack of the yummy, over-all, and I can't imagine who wouldn't like this one, what so ever. Yum, funky, fresh, fruity, and deeply  delicious. Chocolate is here, aplenty,too, with plenty of  rich maltiness overall.


I've had 2 other beers from this brewery, X-Mas Zinnebir (which might be harder to disguise as a Christmas beer) and Taras Boulba. I liked the latter more than the former, and as luck would have it, that's the next Belgian beer to go on tap at the Nile. Soon, once we drink this keg up!

Widmer Bros Barrel-aged Brrrbon '11

Widmer Barrel Aged Brrrbon '11. Widmer Brewing, Portland, Oregon, since 1984. Alchemy Project. Seasonal Ale aged in bourbon barrels. "This smooth, chilly winter warmer goes through a secondary fermentation as it ages in Kentucky Bourbon barrels. After months of maturation in the barrels the brew is allowed a tertiary fermentation for final conditioning before release." "Flavored Ale." "Combine inspiration and experience. Repeat often." "Prost! To improving with age!"

Okay, I'm going against all this and trying this out young. Maybe I'll buy more to save for later…if this one is good. We'll see.  For now, let's open it up.

Clear, bright crimson coloring, slim, but lasting off-white froth.

Aroma: bourbon. Oak and vanilla. Whatever particular aromas Brrr gives us, it's drowned out by the bourbon barrel-aging. Very nice, but I wish it was deeper, and more complex. Rather simple, overwhelmed by the barrel aging.

Taste: boom, here comes richness, raisins, grapes, cherries, oak and vanilla, and, of course, bourbon. Really rich, really thick, much malt, covered in bourbon and oak. Yet not as full bodied, as I'd like for this treatment, perhaps because the base beer just is not thick and full enough to hold up for this type of treatment. Those flavors return sip after sip, but they're just not enough. Bourbon barrel-aging is best done with imperial stout or barleywine, but not necessarily winter ales or winter warmers that may have a certain heft, but not enough to carry this extra weight. 

Will this one really improve with age? Maybe, a little?

I don't know for sure, but it's not good now. There's a flurry of flavor at first, mostly on the sweet side, but after that, the pleasures dwindle. A light bourbon-y flavor lays over this very average winter ale. Sweet, whiskey-ish, vanilla-y, and utterly boring. Completely forgettable. Far too sweet, too much bourbon barrel work, without enough dry, roasty malt below. Maybe bourbon barrel-aging a winter ale is not an awesome idea. Maybe you need a bigger beer, to make it worthwhile? Maybe after 28 years, they'd know that?

Eh, I keep giving them chances, and I keep trying them out, and, dammit, I keep spending my money on them, but I'm starting to wise up.

Rush River Winter Warmer Ale

Rounding out the sampler pack, here's the bottled version of Rush River's Winter Warmer ale. I must have been eager to capture my impressions for this on, as the notes are dated November, 2004, from the bar at the Bulldog. Lyndale, that is. The other two didn't exist yet. I know I tapped it eventually, myself, and enjoyed it, and gol-durn it, still do. Notes, ahoy!

Appearance: dusky, tawny body, with a good spot of light caramel tones at the bottom, under a slim, but stalwart slab of pleasantly pudding-y cocoa-tan head. 

Aroma: nice, light and creamy, slightly nutty, overall sweet. 

Warm entry on the tongue, light hops, but big, malty sweetness, getting fuller and richer with more time in the mouth.
 Possesses a distinct, supple mouthfeel, giving off rich, toffee-ish flavors, thoroughly tasty. 

The alcohol peeks in just a bid, just enough to warm the blood, and though the body thins a touch towards the end, the flavor never flags.