No, it tastes nothing like Christmas. I'm trying to identify what else it tastes like. You owe me $10.50 nacho. I bet everyone drinking Brooklyn Winter Ale tonight is laughing at schmucks like us.
Okay, here's some more I had over the past week:
Harpoon Winter Warmer is very christmas-y with all the nutmeg. But almost a little too sweet, and not in a malty way. Not sure what they did. Very good, but I could only do about two at a time.
Gordon Biersch Winterbock was really malty, which I didn't approve of, but nonetheless a pretty "wintery" beer. Not too heavy and would be good post holiday pig-outs, especially if ham is involved. I wouldn't recommend it on its own, though.
Maybe I should make a wishlist! Saw the aforementioned Brooklyn Winter Ale today. Red Hook Winterhook is always a favorite, as is Flying Dog's Horn Dog Barleywine. I've never been big on Sierra Nevada Celebration ale, but after finding out that it's well-regarded as "THE" holiday beer a lot of places country-wide, I'm thinking maybe I should give it a third chance.
Then there's Double Bastard.
Similar to a Barleywine in texture, sweetness and intensity, “Double Bastard” is a spinoff of Stone’s wildly popular “Arrogant Bastard” Strong Ale. Amped up, oak-aged and vintage-dated, this winter seasonal “Bastard” is designed to be cellared for one to two years. Collectors, avid to score a rare 22 oz ‘bomber’ for their cellar, await each new ‘vintage’ with bated breath, only to face daily temptation to open it once they succeed. Even tasted young, this beer commands hypnotic power over ale addicts. Wave after wave of psychedelic flavors crash over the senses; candied grapefruit, toffee, marmalade, flan and wow, grapefruit again! Mere mortals cannot be expected to resist its charms or concentrate on anything else after the first sip, so hire a babysitter and unplug the phone before you crack the seal.
Probably available locally if I look around enough. Sounds indulgent. 10% ABV!
