McKenzie Brew House Wicked Will's Pale Ale (Presidential Brief)

What: McKenzie Brew House Wicked Will's Pale Ale 5.5% abv
Where: McKenzie Brew House (Malvern, PA)
When: November 7, 2009
What-have-you: "Very clean and crisp. A session beer for sure."

Check out McKenzie's Beer Selection [Click HERE]

Christmas Beer Round-Up Part 2

Christmas Beer Round-Up Part 2:

Christmas is over, but that doesn't mean that people have stopped making merry. New Year's Day is just around the corner, so let the Christmas tunes keep playing on shuffle, keep those halls decked, and check out some more Christmas beers!

Southern Tier Krampus Imperial Helles Lager: If the legend of Krampus is true, then all the "naughties" will catch a whippin' at the hands of this Christmas critter while the "nices" get presents from Saint Nick. Make no mistake, the Krampus is not a being to be trifled with. This Imperial Helles Lager is a bombastic and malt and hops attack on the senses. [Read the whole review]

Rogue Santa's Private Reserve: I believe it. Santa may very well have sixpack of this brew in his fridge right now. And why not wind down after a long day of list-checking and elf-wrangling? Santa's Private Reserve packs a lot of flavor into a medium bodied brew that's pretty easy to drink. [Read the whole review]

Mikkeller Santa's Little Helper 2008: Let's all hope that Santa doesn't get any "help" before he hops aboard his sleigh this year. If he does, there's no telling whose house he might skip. Or worse yet, if he does find his way into your house, what in the bloody blue blazes will end up in your stocking? Mikkeller's holiday helper is definitely best left for after the hard work of Christmas preparation is over. [Read the whole review]

Mikkeller Santa's Little Helper 2008

Mikkeller Santa's Little Helper 2008:

Let's all hope that Santa doesn't get any "help" before he hops aboard his sleigh this year. If he does, there's no telling whose house he might skip. Or worse yet, if he does find his way into your house, what in the bloody blue blazes will end up in your stocking? Mikkeller's holiday helper is definitely best left for after the hard work of Christmas preparation is over.

This "Belgian ale brewed with spices and cocoa powder" is a cocoa lover's dream. There is a nice bitterness with a slightly syrupy consistency and a boozy bite to warm you up on a cold, cold winter's night. At 11% abv, you'll need to take your time drinking this dessert beer. The bottle I got is 25.4 oz. I should probably share it with an elf or two. We'll see who shows up. Sugarplum fairy, perhaps? Talking snowman? Hey, the night is young.

Santa's Little Helper 08 pours black as a starless night. No mutant reindeer is going to lighten it up any, either. Only share this brew with lovers of bitter stouts, chocolate porters and stouts, or those who dabble in chocolate liqueur. It's possible that coffee-brew lovers will dig it too, but the cocoa is dominant. Here's a little Holiday Quiz for ya!! Sam Adams Chocolate Bock is to David Banner as Santa's Little Helper is to ___ ___________ _____.

Like other holiday beers: Chocolate is a recurring theme in some styles and reminds the drinker of holidays and special occasions. Liquid comfort food!

Unlike other holiday beers: I can't identify the other "typical" holiday spices. And the extra-high abv% doesn't allow for extra-long holiday "sessions".

Mikkeller Santa's Little Helper 2008:

Representation: .95
Accessibility: .895
Style: 1.0
Personal Preference: .975

Total Score: 3.82 Flags

Anchor Brewing Co. "Our Special Ale" 2009

Anchor Holiday Ale 2009:

Eleven months I wait for this brew to hit the shelves. As soon as the pumpkin ales have all shown their fall finery in liquor stores around town I begin to peek around for the first winter brews. Anchor Brewing offers one of the most solid and stalwart lines of brews and the "Our Special Ale" stands out among these. Every year the recipe is different (and so is the tree pictured on the label) so it's a holiday surprise every time. Last year's vintage was just ever so slightly less lustrous than previous years in my eyes because it was a little heavy on the evergreen and light on the toasty bitterness...

Problem solved! 2009 Anchor still has a bit of that herbal, forresty, nature-magic lurking deep down in its soul. This latest brew, however, has something else in its aroma -- a semi-sweet cocoa, perhaps, or vanilla, or oak -- something that mellows the bitterness just enough without removing the dry and toasty malt base.

Anchor 2009 has a body and flavor and dryness that is part ale, part porter. It's as dark as pitch with a luminous head (Quite beautiful). Happy Holidays are here again!

Like other holiday brews: Reminds you of the winter season by way of an evergreen presence in the finish and a bit of chocolate or something (drat their secret recipe!) in the aroma.

Unlike other holiday brews: More of a pagan solstice thing than a traditional Christmas mulled-spice thing.


Anchor Holiday Ale 2009:

Representation: .99
Accessibility: .95
Style: 1.0
Personal Preference: 1.0

Total Score: 3.94 Flags

Two Christmas Beers (Citizen Review)

Two Christmas Beers:

With the holidays fast approaching, it is not uncommon for co-workers to herald the upcoming event with some good old-fashioned Holiday pre-gaming! Such was the case recently when I had the chance to sample some Holiday inspired beers.

First was a Michigan import: Bell's Christmas Ale. The bottle explains that it is a malt-driven, and it sure is: sweet, malty, has the "beer's beer" flavor to it. A hearty beer to enjoy by the hearth on a cold winter's day waiting for presents to be opened.

Second, was Sierra Nevada's Celebration Ale 2009. I was really impressed by this beer, because it had more of a hoppy base to it, very easy going, I went back for a second bottle of this and was happier for it. El Presidente wrote a full review of this beer. [Check it out]

When it comes to Holiday beers, I say drink what tastes good to you. That's what the holidays are about: surround yourself with family and friends and tasty beer.

--From the office of the Vice President

Christmas Beer Round-Up Part 1

Christmas Beer Round-Up Part 1:

El Presidente thought it right to begin celebrating the Holiday season as soon as possible. With that in mind, we have three wise choices for celebrating Christmas.

Gritty's Gritty McDuff's Christmas Ale: Nothing gritty about this smooth, dark brew. While not heavily spiced with tastes of the season (you know, cloves, cinnamon, dried fruit), Gritty McDuff's Christmas Ale would certainly be a prime candidate for sitting down with the Big Guy himself and getting into the groove of the season. The flavor is rich yet mellow, with a solid malt foundation. It reminds me of a traditional bock-style beer only with a slightly lighter body.

[Read the full review]

Anchor "Our Special Ale" Merry Christmas & Happy New Year 2008: Those who are close to El Presidente and are familiar with his tastes know that he, um, I wait eleven months out of the year to get my hands on Anchor's Holiday Ale. I've been sampling this special brew every year (I'm pretty sure I didn't skip any) since 1997. It is flavorful without being too extreme. It imparts a holiday feeling without tasting too much like nutmeg. Medium body with a grand bitterness that rewards the palate for all those patient months of waiting.

[Read the full review]

Troegs Mad Elf Ale: Troegs Brewing Company chooses to celebrate the holidays with a cup of cheer that differs slightly from the normal wintry mix. Troegs Mad Elf Ale is brewed with honey and cherries, going straight for the sweet tooth. But it's still an ale, and Troegs brews some fine beers, so the balance is pretty remarkable. Yes, it's sweet, but the cherries aren't quite candy-- there's a tartness there beneath the sweetness. And honey is sweet, too, but in an earthy, woody kind of way. And with a warming kick at 11% abv, Troegs Mad Elf makes the perfect after dinner drink.

[Read the full review]

Bullfrog Brewery's Wolfsblood Scotch Ale (Presidential Brief)

What: Bullfrog Brewery Wolfsblood Scotch Ale 8.5% abv
Where: Bullfrog Brewery (Williamsport, PA)
When: November 7, 2009
What-have-you: "Unbelievably malty and smooth and smooth and malty. Could serve as a winter warmer or an aphrodisiac or a Celtic Viking battle preparation drink."

Southern Tier Krampus Imperial Helles Lager

Southern Tier Krampus Imperial Helles Lager:

If the legend of Krampus is true, then all the "naughties" will catch a whippin' at the hands of this Christmas critter while the "nices" get presents from Saint Nick. Make no mistake, the Krampus is not a being to be trifled with. This Imperial Helles Lager is a bombastic and malt and hops attack on the senses.

While I'm normally partial to ales over lagers, this helles is brimming with character. With four different malts listed as ingredients, the character of Krampus is remarkable. Yet malty as it is, Krampus maintains a nice hoppy dryness to balance it out. Even though they're both ales and don't have exactly the same flavors, Krampus reminds me a bit of Green Flash Le Freak and North Coast Brother Thelonius in that they are deliciously complex. Beer's basic ingredients can be mixed in an infinite number of ways and can produce something as intriguing as Krampus or as dull as ... well, let's just say that Southern Tier is guaranteed to keep you on your toes.

The recommended serving vessel is a snifter (I guess a tulip or a thistle would work) and I concur. Let this beer open up a bit and sip it slowly, sticking your face all up in there to get the full aromatic effect. I got the 22 oz. bomber bottle and wouldn't mind sharing it with a friend. At 9% abv, I'm sure that by the time I've finished the bottle by myself I'll be having a conversation with someone, but I should have made better arrangements.

Krampus is like other holiday beers because it warms you up. And how.
It is unlike other holiday beers in most ways. No traditional Holiday spices to speak of. That is, until I try Samichlaus Helles. I have a feeling there may be some kinship there.

Southern Tier Krampus Imperial Helles Lager:

Representation: 1.0
Accessibility: .875
Style: 1.0
Personal Preference: .925

Total Score: 3.8 Flags

[Read other Christmas Beer Reviews]

Selin's Grove Brewing Co. Shade Mountain Oatmeal Stout (Presidential Brief)

What: Selin's Grove Brewing Co. Shade Mountain Oatmeal Stout 4.8% abv
Where: Selin's Grove Brewing Co. (Selinsgrove, PA)
When: November 7, 2009
What-have-you: "Oh my Goodness. Creamy and delicious. A slight mellow sweetness like maybe vanilla. Body to spare--maybe it could loan a little to the Love Buzz Coffee Stout."

Rogue Santa's Private Reserve

Rogue Santa's Private Reserve:

I believe it. Santa may very well have sixpack of this brew in his fridge right now. And why not wind down after a long day of list-checking and elf-wrangling? Santa's Private Reserve packs a lot of flavor into a medium bodied brew that's pretty easy to drink.

There is a slighly malty base that is outdone by a nice bitter hoppy finish. After reading the label, I was expecting more of a sprucey hit but for me it doesn't come until the very very end - like the after-aftertaste.

Actually, I'm thinking this brew reminds me a little bit of Sierra Nevada Celebration. Santa's Private Reserve has a just a bit less effervescence and overall carries the Rogue stamp as opposed to the Sierra Nevada stamp. I feel that if you like on you should at least try the other. Taste the difference for yourself and kindly report the results. It's your civic duty!

- Like other holiday beers in that it's kind of a "Winter Warmer."

- Unlike other holiday beers because its something to drink with Santa rather than remind you of Santa.

Rogue Santa's Private Reserve:

Representation: .95
Accessibility: .90
Style: .975
Personal Preference: .95

Total: 3.775 Flags

[Read other Christmas Beer Reviews]

Bullfrog Brewery Double Coffee Stout (Presidential Brief)

What: Bullfrog Brewery Double Coffee Stout 7.3% abv
Where: Bullfrog Brewery (Williamsport, PA)
When: November 7, 2009
What-have-you: "Rich and coffee - bitter in an espresso kind of way, but a little sweetness in a chocolatey kind of way. Mmmmmm...."

Gritty McDuff's Christmas Ale

Gritty's Gritty McDuff's Christmas Ale:

Nothing gritty about this smooth, dark brew. While not heavily spiced with tastes of the season (you know, cloves, cinnamon, dried fruit), Gritty McDuff's Christmas Ale would certainly be a prime candidate for sitting down with the Big Guy himself and getting into the groove of the season. The flavor is rich yet mellow, with a solid malt foundation. It reminds me of a traditional bock-style beer only with a slightly lighter body. Which, of course, lends itself more to some interesting "sessions" since this Holiday brew goes down pretty easy. A little too easy.

Actually, I am infinitely curious what this would taste like on tap. More than most brews I'm pondering how it would go -- would the draught be thinner and lose some of the its flavor, or would it be richer and gain a touch of body? I would prefer the latter, because a smidge more body would catapult this into another level. Unfortunately (very unfortunately), I don't have any trips to Portland on the docket anytime soon. If you're up that way, don't miss this groovy, easy-drinking beer.

- Like holiday beers in it's easy to see myself round a fire enjoying a winter's night kind of way.

- Unlike other holiday beers by the absence of in-your-face holiday spices.

Representation: .95
Accessibility: .99
Style: .95
Personal Preference: .975

Total: 3.865 Flags

[Read other Christmas Beer Reviews]

Winter 2009 Beer Review

It's just about time for yet another Winter. Funny, it seems like it comes around this time every year. And what would Winter be without Winter beers? Just plain cold! Be on the look-out for more reviews of Christmas and Holiday-themed beers, but let's look at some classic Winter brews before the season begins in earnest.

1. Southern Tier "Old Man" Winter Ale: Old Man has a light to medium body with a pretty good mouthfeel. Very drinkable but not exceptional in is style or representation. Southern Tier makes awesome stuff and Old Man tows the line but doesn't push the envelope. In the middle of the pack, this brew doesn't exactly cut the mustard as the big dog. Watch your back, however, cuz this Old Man Ale goes down easy like Sunday morning and could cost you a pretty penny if you don't cover your bases and get a designated driver. 3.465 Flags [Read the whole review]

2. Smuttynose Winter Ale: Winter warmer fans should check out Smuttynose Winter Ale because it has some familiar notes floating around in it but it isn't as bold as some winter or Christmas-style ales tend to be. Ale drinkers will be impressed by the body and accessibility of this dandy beverage. The more sips I have, the more accessible it becomes. Goes down smooth but not without making its mark. Comparable to previous versions of Anchor Holiday Ale, Smuttynose comes through once again with a solid seasonal offering. Don't miss this one. 3.55 Flags [Read the whole review]

3. Stoudt's Winter Ale: Really drinkable (though watch out forthe dry and bitter finish). Light to medium body. Geez, a really dry finish. Pale like an ale and hearty like a porter. Coffee and chocolate round out the bitterness, though hops are clearly present as well. Stoudt's Winter Ale is much bolder and timeless than the flashy uber-nutmeggy style lagers. 3.575 Flags [Read the whole review]

North Coast Brother Thelonius (Presidential Brief)

What: North Coast Brother Thelonius 9.0% abv
Where: The Pour House (Westmont, NJ)
When: December 2, 2009
What-have-you: "North Coast 'Brother Thelonius' 9%. Toastmaster General says, 'thats a malt bomb right there.' Chubby notices a worcester sauce thing. Both are correct."

Bullfrog Brewery's Old Toad Barleywine (Presidential Brief)

What: Bullfrog Brewery Old Toad Barleywine 11.5% abv
Where: Bullfrog Brewery (Williamsport, PA)
When: November 7, 2009
What-have-you: "Rich and oaky with a whiskey aftertaste, but not a nasty 'Dear God, why did I just drink a shot of whiskey?' aftertaste. Very rich and complex--not hoppy at all."

Troegs Mad Elf

Troegs Mad Elf Ale:

Troegs Brewing Company chooses to celebrate the holidays with a cup of cheer that differs slightly from the normal wintry mix. Troegs Mad Elf Ale is brewed with honey and cherries, going straight for the sweet tooth. But it's still an ale, and Troegs brews some fine beers, so the balance is pretty remarkable. Yes, it's sweet, but the cherries aren't quite candy-- there's a tartness there beneath the sweetness. And honey is sweet, too, but in an earthy, woody kind of way. And with a warming kick at 11% abv, Troegs Mad Elf makes the perfect after dinner drink.

I heard a crazy story about Mad Elf. A friend of a friend was buying beer for a party at his sister's house. Her favorite beer is Mad Elf, but there were no six packs to be found. So that big-ass bottle (.8 gal) got purchased and the party began. Not realizing the Elf's punch at 11%, the party got started, got crazy, and got done a lot earlier than expected. So be careful.

I would definitely pour Mad Elf into a tulip or a thistle glass. It's ruby red color and slightly viscous consistency give it a magic potion kind of quality. Sip it slowly, and don't worry about it warming up a few degrees. Unlock the holiday mysteries with Santa's cock-eyed helper, the Mad Elf.

Troegs Mad Elf:

Representation: .9
Accessibility: .9
Style: .95
Personal Preference: .925

Total: 3.675 Flags