We we picked it: Because it was a Christmas beer we had not tried before.
About Schlafly's Christmas Ale: Our Christmas Ale is a warming winter ale that blends the spices of the season with sweet caramel malt. Orange peel, juniper berries, ginger root, cardamom and cloves are added for spiciness. We use honey in the fermentation process, which raises the ABV without producing too much heat from the alcohol content.
Many breweries produce richer, higher alcohol beers for the winter holiday season, bolder than their year-round offerings. The inspiration for this beer came from spiced holiday beverages such as wassail and mulled wines. Around the holidays, the sweet and spicy aromas, not to mention the booze, in such libations tend to smooth the rougher edges of enjoying each other’s company and spreading goodwill.
Appearance: Deep copper, bright
Process: Spiced with orange peel, juniper berries, ginger root, cardamom and cloves
Hops: Hallertau (DE)
Malts: 2-row and caramel malted barley, Munich malt, chocolate malt, honey
Yeast: American Ale
IBU: 30
ABV: 8.0%
Case Cost: $46
*website: http://schlafly.com/beers/styles/christmas-ale/
At 1:30 am is this technically considered drinking before work? Having fallen behind on my beers, I decided it was time to step it up. I tried to convince Christina about another xmas tradition, the 12 days of.....but aparently that's not going to happen.
ReplyDeleteAs for this breakfast beer, hello anchor steam #2. Not sure why these breweries are so darn eager to stuff a freaking xmas tree in the bottle. Xmas trees are typically used in air fresheners, not bottled beer.
I hope Tony's done stocking the bread aisle
I hope Ivan's out meeting people
Carry on
Christina probably threw pine needles in your beer from the tree after you asked to start a new tradition.
DeleteI saw Tony at Safeway and asked him if he stocked this beer and he got pissed and ripped off his work shirt.
I saw Ivan but he didn't have time for me and introduced himself to the stranger next to me.
I liked this beer very much. It did not taste like an 8% ABV beer. I disagree with Bolts and do not think this taste even close to Anchor Steam. I couldn't really pinpoint the tastes. That's probably due to how quick I drank it. Grade 7 out of 10, B-
ReplyDeleteI have a feeling a lot of you are behind on your beers. Step it up people, we only have 5 days left! I loved this beer. I think it has the perfect Christmas taste and I disagree about it tasting like a tree. I could taste cinnamon in it. I hope this has nothing to do with the 3 glasses of Pinot Noir I had before. Check plus plus.
ReplyDeleteI must say I'm surprised that the relative of such a gay and feminist hating woman would make a beer so fruity and spicy. I would guess she disowns him and his lifestyle very soon.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading Bolter's comment, I was very concerned. But this is nowhere near the Anchor Steam in terms of foliage flavor. Although my second sip was much worse than my first. And it seems to be maintaining that level. I can't say I'm a fan, but I give it a nice middle of the road grade of C.
Ro returned home from her holiday party after 3 beers (the equivalent of 17 for most of us) and asked if I really wanted her to drink anymore. I said I doubted she'd be having much of this. She took a whiff and said it smelled "fruity." She then took a sip and said it tasted like "cough syrup." So just like LAH-GOO-NEET-US, I've got two 8% beers waiting for me on a Wednesday night. At least I didn't elect to have the Celebration Ale I almost decided to have. Still, good times. Good times.
WOW!! We have a winner!! This was awesome! Rich, smooth and no aftertaste. Loved the blend of spices which really would have gone great with Pumpkin or Pecan pie!! When I finished it, all I wanted to do is go to the store and find more. Gotta find a place that sells this beer in Warrenton, heck I may even go to Manassas to get one of these. Funny thing it did not affect me like the advertized ABV (no way this was 8??). Next up; online to find a case of this!
ReplyDeleteRating: 9.8
Ass!
ReplyDeleteFill it up again! Fill it up again! Once it hits your lips, it's so good!
ReplyDelete- frank the tank (2003)
That sums of this beer up perfectly. From the first carmel taste, I was hooked and the 8% ABV doesn't hurt either. I will be sure to look for this beer this weekend to stock up for the Christmas holiday. I give it 10 out of 10.
Everything from the STL is the best. 10 out of 10
ReplyDeleteI like it. This what I expect and want from a Christmas beer. I definitely get the caramel and spice, but it doesn't overwhelm and turn it into something unbeer like. Grade: 8/10
ReplyDeleteSchlafly is an excellent and vastly underrated brewery. Their summer brew was my favorite beer of that season, and this is the top beer this winter. Great stuff.
ReplyDeleteI thought this was a terrific beer. It went well paired with a "Friends" marathon. Not sure why Bolter made the pine tree comment again but this was far better than the "Anchor Steam". For one, it didn't taste like Eli Mannings performance last sunday. I also like the fact that it didn't run through my intestines like a parasite through a seagull. I'd definitely have another one and might consider sharing one with the toothless guy that hangs out at the stop light by my house.
ReplyDeletenothing good to say about that one... only that I will never buy that......Rated 4.5/10
ReplyDeletenothing good to say about that one... only that I will never buy that......Rated 4.5/10
ReplyDeleteNot my favorite beer but as far as Christmas beers are concerned, I would put it up in my top 10 fo sho! Deep rich malty flavor...holiday spices that are discernible...high ABV...nice finish...every Xmas beer should be this well made. Next Christmas I will be purchasing a case of this and taking a sixer to each event I attend...if the party sucks I'll crush a sixer and have a grand ol time on my own...if it is a good party I'll share and be the coolest brother in the room!
ReplyDeleteI often wondered what a WGB would taste like if you poured a shot of grain alcohol and a big pile of sugar into it. Now that mystery is solved. Fortunately I am playing catch up and I'm getting kinda plastered. Donwside - as a person in pre-holiday weight loss mode - 238 CALORIES!!!!???? My FitnessPal app said I had like 400 calories left today before I drank the 2 beers I was behind and POOF nothing left.
ReplyDeleteGrade: Creepy stare
So, I can see why some wouldn't like it, but I quite enjoyed this beer. The nutmeg reminded me of my friend's rum punch where he will never tell me the whole recipe but tells me one thing each time he serves it. I remember every ingredient and eventually I will be able to recreate it myself. Fresh grated nutmeg is one such ingredient. In the rum punch and in the beer. Yummy. Can't say I'd sit and have 12 of these, like a normal Tuesday, but one or two is quite delightful this time of year.
ReplyDeleteAnd Bolter's question reminded me of a time, pre-kids, when I went to Justin's apartment at 3:30 am to watch a World Cup final match - we made a full eggs and bacon breakfast and drank beer until 6 am... and then went to work. Ah the good old days.
I would not have liked this beer back then, but now I do. So some things get better with age.