Deschutes - Jubelale

Dead Soldier 

Veronica Vega - Deschutes

Where to Dig Up More About This Beer

Jubelale
Deschutes Brewery
901 SW Simpson Avenue
Bend, OR USA
Est. 1988
www.deschutesbrewery.com


Brain Damage Quotient = 6.7 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 12.0 (3 oz. sample)


Postmortem Brew Review
Rich, deep red color.
Smell of citrus and pine hops on the nose. Good amount of caramel malt present. Some spiciness also present.
Choppy tan colored head, about one finger high.
Great lacing down the side of the glass.
Caramel toasted malt with hops in balance. Bready and earthy tastes.
Medium bodied. Full flavored mouth feel.


Grim Reaper's Eulogy
Round #6
This blog post was done live at the 2nd Annual Beer Blogger's Conference, held in Portland, Oregon. 95 bloggers were in attendance, from over one thousand identified blogs. Luminaries of the craft beer world also attended to serve as presenters and keynote speakers for the event. A "speed round" of blogging was held by brewers, each bringing an exemplary brew to blog. Great craft beers, 12 blogging tables and 60 minutes were allotted in a fun, free-for-all session. 

Sierra Nevada - Celebration Fresh Hop Ale 2010

Dead Soldier

Where to Dig Up More About This Beer
Celebration Fresh Hop Ale 2010 
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
Chico, CA USA
Est. 1980
www.sierranevada.com

Brain Damage Quotient = 6.8 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 12.0 

Postmortem Brew Review
Rusty, ruddy, reddish in color.
Pleasant hops aroma with hop oil and pine scents. Malt undertones.
Nicely foaming two finger head with good lacing on the glass.
Hoppy tasting; great balance of hops and malt. 
Rich, medium to full bodied mouth feel. 

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
Same brew, different year - uh wait a moment. This somehow tastes different, even better than my tasting notes from 2009 would indicate. The hops seem more lively and the malt note is a bit more pronounced. Very nice IPA from Sierra Nevada, so nice that I wish it was available all year around.

This year, we were high and dry during the tasting. Last year we were in a steady cold drizzle in downtown Orlando at a beer festival. The weather wasn't cooperative, but that didn't dampen our enthusiasm. In fact, it made for less of a throng and kept other unprepared mortals away. The festival was ours to enjoy.

This year, I got a whole friggin' 12 pack of Celebration to have on hand for guests at the home crypt. Merry Christmas y'all and don't let the ghosts of spirits past, present or future keep you away from this terrific IPA.

Odell Isolation Ale

Dead Soldier 

Where to Dig Up More About This Beer

Isolation Ale
Odell Brewing Company
800 East Lincoln Avenue
Fort Collins, CO USA
Est. 1989
www.odellbrewing.com

Brain Damage Quotient = 6.1 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 12.0 

Postmortem Brew Review
Light amber brown color.
Nutty, wood and spice smells with malt aromas to the nose.
Short head disappears to a cover but leaves clingy lacing.
Soft, sweet malt taste with hints of spice that balances the sweetness.
Soft carbonation.
Full flavored, medium bodied. More flavorful as it warms. 

Grim Reaper's Eulogy 
I have been trying to retrieve some of this ale from my trips to Colorado without much success...that is, until I visited this fall and found some just at release. This is an Odell seasonal selection, so being there during the winter months is necessary in order to score some for your very own.

I find this a quite interesting departure from their other 12 oz bottles. And it lives up to the label's enchanting vision of being stuck in a warm cozy cabin on a cold winter's evening. Believe it or not folks, the temps in South Florida have dipped into the low 30's this week. I had my CSU beanie on this morning, sporting the Rams colors on the way into the office. So when evening came, I remembered the Isolation Ale was in the back of the fridge. A good brew to 'hunker-down' with on a cold winter's evening, for sure. One beauty of a Winter Warmer!

Magic Hat - Howl WInter Seasonal

Dead Soldier

Where to Dig Up More About This Beer
Magic Hat - Howl Winter Seasonal
Magic Hat Brewing Company
5 Bartlett Bay Road
Burlington, VT USA
Est. 1994
www.magichat.net

Brain Damage Quotient = 4.6 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 12.0 

Postmortem Brew Review
Brown to black in color.
Malt and chocolate (bitter style) dry aromas.
One finger tan head that slowly but certainly vanishes.
Caramel malt creamy taste with zip of a hop finish at the end.
Active amount of carbonation that tingles.
Medium bodied.Very sessionable.

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
Easy to session, this Schwarzbier is tasty and leaves you wanting more.  It finishes nicely but has just a slight bit too much carbonation, (only drawback I could find.) All in all it makes a great session beer and I could easily see myself drinking a few of these.  The alcohol content is low enough and the taste is impressive to keep you coming back for more.

This winter, pick up some of this sinister looking beer and 'Howl" a little yourself! 

Inside the cap says, "Behold the power of yeast!"

Breckenridge Christmas Ale

Dead Soldier 

Where to Dig Up More About This Beer

Breckenridge Christmas Ale
Breckenridge Brewery
471 Kalamath Street
Denver, CO USA
Est. 1989
www.breckbrew.com 

Brain Damage Quotient = 7.4 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 12.0 (3 oz. sample)

Postmortem Brew Review
Copper/Amber color.
Smell of malt and nutty sweetness on the nose.
Tan head, about one finger high, covers to wisp.
Fair amount of lacing down the side of the glass.
Alcohol masked very well.
Light to medium bodied mouth feel. 

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
This blog post was done live at the first ever Beer Blogger's Conference, held in Boulder Colorado. 108 bloggers were in attendance, from over five hundred identified blogs. Luminaries of the craft beer world also attended to serve as presenters and keynote speakers for the event. A "speed round" of blogging was held by 12 brewers, each bringing an exemplary brew to blog. 12 beers, 12 blogging tables and 60 minutes were allotted in a fun, free-for-all session. 

Round #2

Todd Thibault of
Breckenridge
Brewery

One of the coolest things about the BBC10 was meeting some of the brewery reps/owners.  Todd Thibault, Sales & Marketing Director was "in da' houze' for the next round.  Earlier in the day, a Twitter tweet had gone out to #BBC10 asking to choose between 471 Small Batch or their Christmas Ale.  I was the first responder followed by many other RT for the Christmas Ale. Todd was up to this!  How cool to give the guests of BBC10 a preference!

Turns out that it was a great choice. Nice to get to taste a naturally zingy Winter Warmer style ale.  Todd gave us as much of the specs as possible in his 2 minutes of the 'lightning round', stating that the spicy flavor did not come at the expense of unnatural flavor additions. The fact is, at 7.4% ABV, you'll get the warmth and the flavor is very yummy, what with the Two Row Pale, Caramel, Chocolate and Black malt additions.

Skip the egg nog this year and bag some of this.  "Bottled Joy To The World" is their slogan. Indeed.

Boulder Beer - Never Summer Ale

Dead Soldier

Where to Dig Up More About This Beer
Never Summer Ale
Boulder Beer Company

2880 Wilderness Place
Boulder, CO USA
Est. 1979
www.boulderbeer.com 

Brain Damage Quotient = 5.94 % ABV

Fluid Oz. = 12.0 

Postmortem Brew Review
Nearly solid amber color.
Malty, tangy pine hops scent.
Tall, tan head upon pour. Dissipates slowly leaving short cover.

Great lace coating on side of glass.
Medium carbonation with hops finish.
Peppery; warms the back of the tongue.
Medium bodied, big flavor.

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
A craft beer with a crafty name.  Everybody and their brother has a "Winter" this and a "Christmas" that beer or ale on the shelves.  Well the folks at Boulder put a great spin on naming it, reminding us that this is indeed a winter style.  Kind of catchy the "Never Summer" name.  I like the ale as much as the thought that went into the name.

The ale is a robust amber color and gives off malt and hops aromas, but the taste catches you at the back of the tongue and throat.  It leaves a warming, peppery flavor that is just drying enough to make you want to sip some more.  Sip after sip, the ale's mild soothing heat wraps its way around you like a great big stadium blanket.  The perfect tonic while having that Christmas tree bonfire.

It could easily have been named "Always Winter", but it's fine just as it is.  Enjoy it while it's still winter!

Anchor - Our Special Ale 2009 (Christmas Ale)

Dead Soldier

Where to Dig Up More About This Beer
Our Special Ale 2009 (Chrsitmas Ale)
Anchor Brewing Company
1705 Mariposa Street 
San Francisco, CA USA
Est. 1896
www.anchorbrewing.com

Brain Damage Quotient = 5.5 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 12.0 

Postmortem Brew Review
Dark brown color.
Malt presence with pine hops aroma.
Spice and sweetness in perfect balance and taste.
Off white, two finger head with lacing that coats the glass magnificently.
Medium bodied flavor. Soft carbonation. 

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
The Maytag Family is renowned for being innovators.  Everything they touch, from large appliances to fantastic blue cheese and also beer, comes out with a Midas touch.  Of all the Christmas beers retrieved from my mortuary chiller this season, none stood out more than this one.

The Anchor Brewing site has a page dedicated to this, their 35th Christmas beer showing it is no fluke of production.  Many years of hard work has gone into making this brew, and it shows.  These beers are recommended to be cellared and kept for the months to come.  It's a shame I only got one of these 12 oz. bottles.  I will not make that mistake again next year.

Yes, it is spiced, but not overly dry.  There is a touch of sweetness from the malts and along with the hops, they balance out from start to finish.  Just as understated as their washing machine ads and cult like following for blue cheese, this 'sleeper' in a bottle does not draw attention to what's inside.  It lets all of what has been put inside do the talking, just like all of this family's fine efforts.  They know how to pay attention to the details.  Even the label looks hand printed, like a jar of your aunt's preserves.  A Christmas gift from Anchor to us all!

How on earth do they make it so good?  I won't ask.  Nor will they tell; their website lets you know the ingredients are top secret!  Let's not bother asking.  It would be as embarrassing as asking how much a Christmas gift cost.

Do not miss out on this one, friend.

Harpoon Winter Warmer

Dead Soldier

Where to Dig Up More About This Beer
Harpoon Winter Warmer
Harpoon Brewery

306 Northern Avenue
Boston, MA USA
Est. 1986
www.harpoonbrewery.com
 
Brain Damage Quotient = 5.5 % ABV

Fluid Oz. = 12.0

Postmortem Brew Review

Beautiful mahogany color tone.
Malt and spice nose with trace cinnamon and nutmeg fragrance.
Caramel tan, fluffy three fingered head that dissipates very slowly.

Head lacing coats entire glass nicely.
Moderate carbonation with warming spice finish.
Medium bodied; easy drinker. Sessionable. 

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
The holidays are officially here and there was no better way to welcome them in with this wonderfully crafted beer.  The work day is done and with a week and a half of holiday festivities ahead, there will be much to celebrate.

The Harpoon Winter Warmer is inviting upon the smell with a pleasant touch of winter's spice reminding you of that, "...over the river and through the woods..." trip to Grandma's house.  A little ginger, nutmeg and cinnamon does the trick.  Some might say that it's too much, but for a winter ale, I think this hits the spot.

So if you have some time to kill around the fireside this yule time, get yourself some of this grownup goodness in a bottle.  To all a good night!

Bell's - Christmas Ale

Dead Soldier

Where to Dig Up More About This Beer
Bell's Christmas Ale
Bell's Brewery Inc.

8938 Krum Ave.
Galesburg & Comstock MI USA
Est. 1985
www.bellsbeer.com 

Brain Damage Quotient = 5.4 % ABV

Fluid Oz. = 12.0 

Postmortem Brew Review
Brilliant copper color.
Noticeable malt roasted sweetness and hops aromas.
Foamy, two fingered tan head that dissipates very slowly.

Minimal lacing on glass.
Malts stand out with some bright hops at the end.  Also has dry spice finish.
Light to medium bodied.

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
Definitely light for a Scottish style ale but suprisingly refreshing for a Christmas ale.  There was some detectable spice note, but not as present as in other winter/Christmas beers.  It is a very sessionable drink, similar more to an Oktoberfest beer, I thought.

Bell's and Christmas...it's a natural!

Rogue - Santa's Private Reserve Ale

Jolly Dead Elf

Where to Dig Up More About This Beer
Santa's Private Reserve Ale
Rogue Ales
2320 OSU Drive
Newport, OR USA
Est.1988
www.rogue.com 

Brain Damage Quotient = 6.0 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 22.0 

Postmortem Brew Review
Brown color on pour with red tones.
Pine scent of hops with some malt in the aroma.
Tan/caramel  head with some retention.
Light carbonation with balanced malt and hops taste.
Medium  to heavy bodied, fairly complex flavors.

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
Not spiced at all as most winter and Christmas brews. The malt and hops play well together.  There is something else going on in the background that I can seem to identify.  But good to be sure.  A nice one for the holidays and a nicer one to share with some of your elves.  It does have a heaviness and I found it might be tough to session.  Well, thank goodness Christmas only comes once a year.

The malt/caramel/toffee taste comes out after a bright splash of hops when you first sip.  A bit unusual, but I liked it.  Also, this ale takes a different tack from most of the dryer and spiced beverages we find at Christmas time. It's still on the dry side, and a bit more malt sweetness would have worked  better for my tastes.

I must have been a good boy as Santa brought this early, this year.

Samuel Adams - Winter Lager

Dead Soldier

Where to Dig Up More About This Beer
Samuel Adams - Winter Lager
Boston Beer Company
Boston, MA USA
Est.1985
www.samueladams.com

Brain Damage Quotient = 5.8 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 12.0

Postmortem Brew Review
Rich amber color.
Dry wheat aroma wafts from the glass.
Roasted caramel malty and dry spice flavor like clove.
One finger, tan colored head that quickly dissipates, leaving some lacing.
Light to medium body with carbonated mouth feel.

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
From The Boston Beer Company comes a chillin' brew for your winter solstice.  The Bock style dark wheat is warming and inviting even if we are in the tropic clime of South Florida.  The spice in the beer sets well against its dark wheat body and adds a really great finish to each sip.  It would be best paired with a nutcracker and some of your favorite nuts.

Speaking of nuts, be sure to have plenty of Winter Lager around this holiday when the family comes a'calling!

Smuttynose - Winter Ale

Dead Soldier

Where to Dig Up More About This Beer
Smuttynose - Winter Ale
Smuttynose Brewing Company
Portsmouth, NH USA
Est.1994
www.smuttynose.com

Brain Damage Quotient = 4.8 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 12.0

Postmortem Brew Review
Hazy amber orange color.
Fruity, touch of yeast and other inviting complex aromas.
Soft warming feel and fruity, soft spice flavor.
One finger head with minimal lacing.
Medium mouth feel and carbonation.

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
Being greeted by man's best friend (the dog and the beer) is a truly wonderful way to end your day.  This winter ale hit the spot with big flavor and minimal ABV.  Here's one you could sit back and relax with on a cold winter's 'eve.  One after another after another. 

This is a terrific Belgian Dubbel style everyone will appreciate.  I must get acquainted with the other Smuttynose litter mates soon.  Good dog!  Good beer!

De Dolle - Stille Nacht (Silent Night) 2008

Dead Snowman

Where to Dig Up More About This Beer

Stille Nacht 2008
De Dolle Brouwer
Roeselarestraat 12B
8160 Esen, Belgium
Est. 1980
Brewery founded 1835
www.dedollebrouwers.be

Brain Damage Quotient = 12.0% ABV
Fluid Oz. = 11.6 

Postmortem Brew Review
Reddish brown; the color of mahogany.
Fruity, floral with a slight spice presence in the aroma.
Turbid in the bottle and glass.
Suspended unfiltered particles, left over from brewing process.
Caramel/tan double forming head with specks from aforementioned particles.
Complex, medium to heavy body.

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
Where to begin? I want a moment to wipe away a tear...

This beer is magnificent. I cannot find the words to describe it, but will give it a try...(sniff, ah Reaper, compose yourself, now.)

A little history first. This beer is brewed for Christmas by De Dolle. Suffice to say, I encourage you to read what they have to say about their own creation on their website.

This beer has been hanging out in the chiller for several weeks now and was treated with the respect of a first time science experiment. Popping the top of the 2008 vintage cap produced what can be described only as a mini-spontaneous fermentation. A wispy puff of thick beer 'smoke' brought tingles of anticipation. The pour caused a cascading effect that saw an upper creamy head appear followed underneath by active rolling carbonation.

The suspended particles were an interesting curiosity that, (dare I say?), frightened even me. I thought of filtering it on the pour, but thought again and instead was rewarded with specks of detritus hanging in the everlasting foamy head. In other words, how shall I say? I know........what makes a doughnut even better? DOH, sprinkles!!!

It is to date the highest ABV sampled, ringing in at 12%. As you know that can haunt the flavor by overpowering it with a distinct alcohol aftertaste, but not here. Not even a hint of it.

The rich, sweet & savory body rolls over your taste buds like a malty, hoppy, fruity river of goodness! A nice bounce of hops at the end of the sip smooths our the candy-like sweetness. It's not to be gulped or even drunk by the 6-pack at a time, but sampled by the sip. I would like to think that Silent Night was brewed more to expand your mind than to expand your waistline, so pace yourself with these, won't you?

One or two bottles will probably induce an out of the body experience. And at 12% ABV, you'll want a designated driver, else I will see you sooner rather than later, muhahahaa muhaahaaahaa.

Silent Night....Holy Cow !

Michelob - Winter's Bourbon Cask Ale

Melting Snowman

Where to Dig Up More About This Beer

Michelob - Winter's Bourbon Cask Ale
Michelob Brewing Company
Anheuser-Busch, Inc.
St. Louis, Missouri USA
Est. 1852
www.michelob.com

Brain Damage Quotient = 6.0% ABV
Fluid Oz. = 12.0 

Postmortem Brew Review
Soft amber orange, tawny color.
Sweet vanilla smell and taste up front.
Robust, smokey bourbon after finish.
Smooth foaming head from the pour with good lacing.
Medium bodied mouth feel.

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
Distinctive and different. An ale for the winter. Interesting flavor being aged in oak casks used at one time for bourbon. And as if that's not enough, they drop whole Madagascar vanilla beans in the batch! Yummy! Oh yeah, that's not even the best part; here's to a mass produced American beer with an alcohol content of 6%. There is so much more flavor in higher alcohol content beers. The Europeans know this the best! This will become a Christmas tradition!

Michelob has been a sort of Jekyll and Hyde brand for AB. In the 50's & 60's "Mick" was for cool ultra hipsters being they were way too cool for Budman and his sophomoric antics. Its sexy signature 'teardrop' bottle proved it was more for adult "after-hours" types.

Then came the lean 70's thru 80's where the audience shifted to adult urbanites, again making the cool scene. The last 15 years or so, Michelob has been a brand adrift in light, ultralight, low carb, low taste gimmicky beers...but still aimed at the hip movers and shakers that don't want to get into the Bud rut. I thought it would become the dot-com of beers during that age and die a death, but no!

About ten years ago something started to metamorphize. AB set its sights square on whatever Sam Adams was up to in the micro-taste part of the industry. Michelob now sports a variety of seasonal beers aimed at...you guessed it...hip beer drinkers looking for something a little different in their brew. The familiar 'teardrop' bottle is just a memory now, but they definitely have my attention. Here's to reincarnation; something the Reaper can certainly get behind!