Christmas Beers are Here

I've been away from the blog for several months, however with the change in the season and the release of Christmas Beers, I decided it was time to review some beers!

I stopped at Capt Mike's in downtown Kenosha the other night and saw my first official 'Christmas' beer on tap. It was Great Lakes Christmas Ale. It was a nice amber color, with a fruity aroma and some spiciness. My initial impression was that it was a standard American Amber, not a winter warmer. However, as the beer warms, the flavors come out, the subtle spices becoming more pronounced but not overpowering. And about 1/3 the way into the pint, I felt my cheeks beginning to warm. This was very drinkable beer, with no harsh alcohols sometimes associated with the style. ($4.50 / pint)

Of special interest to Christmas Beer lovers, Capt. Mikes will be hosting a Christmas Beer Tasting on Saturday, December 5th, 4-7PM. Cost is $25 and includes appetizers. The beer line up hasn't been announced yet, check their website for updates.

Uncle Mike's Top Shelf Pub in Pleasant Prairie, isn't about to be outdone by Capt. Mike's. Uncle's has a few Christmas Beers on tap also.

The first beer I tried was Ommegang Adoration. Brewery Ommegang says "Adoration, brewed in the authentic style of Belgian winter, or noel beer, is dark, strong, malty and assertively spiced." It certainly lives up to that. The aroma is malty, with hints of candi sugar, tropical fruits and alcohol. The color was dark amber / copper (in the low bar light). Initially the beer was too cold, subduing the flavors and producing a harsh alcohol bite. As the beer warmed, the flavors came out. There were notes of spice and banana. Unfortunately, the higher alcohol notes remained. At 10% this beer could handle a little more age. ($6.75 / 11 oz)

While not truly a Christmas Beer, New Glarus Cran-bic Ale, does seem to fit into the season. It pours a light amber with cranberry red highlights. The aroma is fruity, cranberry and oaky. The initial flavor impact is tart cranberry, followed by oak, vanilla and hints of Brett. It was quite refreshing, though the carbonation level did seem a little low. It is a beer that would go well with your turkey dinner or as a palate refresher when drinking Christmas Beers. ($4.75 / 11 oz)

The last Christmas Beer I tried at Uncle Mike's (PP) was New Belgium 2° Below Ale. New Belgium calls it a Winter Warmer, which I believe is really just a subclass of an ESB. It was a nice amber color with a malty aroma, with hints of spice and hops in the nose. It was a very pleasant beer to drink, with good balance between the malt and the hop bitterness. This beer is not as big as some other Christmas Beers, however that can make it more drinkable. ($4.75 / pint)


That's all for now. Have a Happy and Safe Thanksgiving. Maybe I will go out to Uncle Mike's Highway Bar and see what other Christmas Beers they have!

I'm in Oakland for the National Homebrewer's Conference. Expecting great beer and food.

O'so Picnic Ants on tap at Capt Mike's in downtown Kenosha.

Beware the Night Stalker!

The scene opens with Carl Kolchak, wearing his signature seersucker suit and pork pie hat, heading down a dark alley way, furtively glancing over his shoulder. He knows that in the dark shadows of the night, all types of supernatural creatures hide just waiting for their unsuspecting victims. He isn’t afraid of them, he plans to expose them to the world, that’s why he is known as the ‘Night Stalker’.

Sorry for the literary license and the flashback to the 1970’s. Goose Island has a new seasonal beer out, named Night Stalker, in tribute to the 1974 TV series of the same name set in Chicago.

You don’t have to be afraid of this Night Stalker. While it is big (11.7 % ABV) and dark, it is still very friendly. Night Stalker is Goose Island’s Imperial Stout. It is the base beer for their Bourbon Barrel Stout, however instead of aging in bourbon barrels, this beer gets dry hopped.

Night Stalker has a caramel and toffee nose with some hints of dark fruits. There is some hop aroma, however the malt aromas dominate as they should.
It is a deep black beer, with a dark caramel colored head that is long lasting. The body is rich and mouth coating. Flavors of caramel, coffee, toffee chocolate malt and black licorice dance over your tongue, causing you to marvel at the complexity of the beer. The dry hopping adds some bitterness to the finish, however it is well balanced for the style. There is a slight alcohol bite in the finish, which acts more as a warning not to over-consume.

I think this version is better than the bourbon barrel version. The Imperial Stout characteristics are able to show through and are thoroughly enjoyable.

Night Stalker is currently available on tap at Capt. Mikes, downtown Kenosha.