Beer style of the week; The 12 Beers of Christmas, (but Great any time)

9th Day of Christmas

For the past 3 weeks we have merrily ventured through the kingdoms of Christmas Ales and enchanted Winter Warmer wonderlands. For the next 4 days we bring you a sampling of diverse beers from around the world that are purely divine by nature. These are the splendid spirit-lifting brews to enjoy with family and friends as we celebrate this special time of year.

Some of these delightful beers are found in weeks past and in week’s future, others will be making a cameo appearance because of their special connection to the season. They come in all styles, varieties, and strengths. All are very good!

Day 1 – Sinebrychoff Porter

Day 2 – Geary’s Hampshire Special

Day 3 - Hooker Liberator

Day 4 – Trappiste Rochefort 10

Day 5 - Baden Baden – Red Ale (Double Red)

Day 6 - Samuel Smith’s Imperial Stout

Day 7 - Ayinger Celebrator Doppelbock

Day 8 – DueS (Brut Des Flandres

Day 9

Hey, let’s go to St. Louis for some really great beer! Haha…

Schafly Reserve Imperial Stout Bourbon Barrel 2008 Vintage – St. Louis Brewery – 10.5% ABV

It pours a thick, spent motor oil with highlights of amber red poking through against the light. A thick 1” tannish head settles slowly leaving trails of lacing as it goes down.

Giant smells of chocolate and coffee brandy waif out. Smells of burnt malt, resinous hops, cut wook, prunes, dark rum and bourbon are right behind.
The flavors are bold and powerful. We have tastes of coffee brandy, dark chocolate, bourbon, resinous hops with a slight metallic tang and prunes.
The mouthfeel is slick, nearly oily, yet ever so gulpable. And when you do gulp, you’re rewarded with complex and full-flavored brew that will take the chill right out of the bones.

Just a super strong and tasty Bourbon barrel-aged Imperial Stout.

Cheers!

Quote: “There are only two acceptable times of day during the holidays to sample beer…day time and night time” - Me