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

10th 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 3 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 - Schafly Reserve Imperial Stout Bourbon Barrel 2008 Vintage

Day 10 (Back across the Pond…because we can)

Traquair Jacobite – Traquair House Brewery – Peebleshire, Scotland – 8% ABV

I don’t believe the Jacobite Rebellion and the Christmas Season have anything, at all in common, but that doesn’t mean that this Scottish Wee Heavy doesn’t belong on this happy holiday list.

11.2oz dark brown bottle. Served in a nonic tumbler.

It pours a heavy dark molasses color with a thin, but lasting beige on top and some patchy lacing.

A sweet dark-roasted malty aroma fades rather fast. A smell of honey along with the smell of prune juice and ripe pears lingers.

The first flavor forward is of dark sweet honey and dark rum. A taste of coriander emerges from a light citrusy bitterness. An earthy taste reminiscent of tequila slides in lightly. The body is heavy and slick. This brew just slides down so smoothly! The 8%abv is well disguised, but the effect is quite apparent.

Wonderful stuff!

Cheers!

Quote: “Wine is but a single broth, but ale is meat, drink and cloth.” – 16^th century proverb

Innis & Gunn Rum Barrel Aged Wee Heavy

12 oz clear glass bottle (that's just wrong!) No freshness date.
Served in an Allagash fluted goblet.
It pours a dark amber/cola color with a fast-fading beige head. Not much in the way of lacing.
It might have had a perfect aroma, except for a slight sulfuric smell likely caused by the fluorescents radiating through the clear bottle. Otherwise a nice peaty malt smell lays the foundation for an earthy wood smell, followed by floral hops and a bit o' rum.
A big taste of caramel malt carries the citrusy and tea-like hops. Sweet dark rum notes slide in behind and lasts throughout.
It gets better as it warms and all the flavors mingle and mix.

Grand Teton Brewing - Sheep Eater Scotch Ale

Grand Teton Brewing - Sheep Eater Scotch Ale - Victor Idaho - 7.5% abv
33.8oz dark brown bottle. 2009 vintage.
Poured into a Sam Adams fluted glass.
The color is a deep ruby-hued mahogany with a fading tannish beige head. A little trailing and clingy lace slides into oblivion.
A very heavy smell of dark roasted malt, caramel candy and a dark rummy whiff are upfront. Smells of peat, molasses and berries are noticed throughout.
Big robust malty flavors carry tastes of creme brulee, chocolate covered cherries, dark rum-soaked pears and spicy hops.
I enjoy the the nearly oily, silky smoothness in the mouth and throat feel.
Such a large bottle, so smooth, fairly high octaine = Bliss.
Very nice brew, but expensive as hell.