Beer Reviews

Country

Type

Rating

Traquair Jacobite Ale (Scotland)
Deep mahogany color with a rocky white head. The nose presents a complex and pleasing aromatic profile that offers as much spice and herbal-like hops notes as dense malted barley. The palate offers waves of malt and grain with accents of caramel, cocoa nibs, fruitcake, with star anise, cardamom, and a hint of clove. Ideally balanced, skillfully masking its considerable strength. Tremendous. 5 Stars

Castle Eggenberg Brewery Samichlaus Bier (Austria)
Bright copper color. The nose is wildly fruity with scents of cherry, orange peel, currants, sherry, roasted nuts, and gobs of sweet malt. The palate echoes the aromatics while being ultra sweet and powerful. Brewed only once a year on December 6 then aged for 10 months before bottling. Old vintages are enjoyed as holiday specialties. This beer has somewhat of a cult following but I find a bit out of whack with it’s alcohol strength. 3 Stars

Hanssens Mead Gueuze (Belgium)
Bright, pale gold and turgid. Crisp with the dominate citrus character tamed by semisweet notes of wild honey and sweet grains of malt. Grassy in the finish with lingering sour flavors with tart baked apples and pears. 3 Stars

Samuel Smith Winter Welcome (England)
Deep amber color. The aroma is very complex offering scents of toasted grains, sweet caramel, dried fruits (like a great fruit cake), and a balancing earthy bitterness. The palate confirms the aromatic notes with a rich, lush texture ideally balancing power with delicacy due in great part to its complex spice mélange. More than a “winter welcome” being a great winter remedy. 4 Stars

Harviestoun “Ola Dubh” Special Reserve 12 (Scotland)
Black as night with little head. Firm dark roasted malt scents abound running toward coffee, roasted nuts, treacle, and fruitcake. The palate confirms the nose adding a soft, sweet whisky note with a faint anise and semi-sour bread note. Exceptionally balanced and complex. Far from a gimmick beer, rather being a noble and tasty effort. 4 Stars

Harviestoun “Ola Dubh” Special Reserve 16 (Scotland)
Black as night with a modest tan head of foam. The nose is rich and malty with notes of dried fruits, mocha, a touch of smoke, toasted walnuts, chocolate, and sweet grains. The palate echoes the nose being rich and silky while not being too heavy offering complex, ever changing flavors. A wonderful night cap! null null null 5 Stars

Harviestoun “Ola Dubh” Special Reserve 30 (Scotland)
Black as night with a modest tan head of foam. Very rich and malty on the nose with generous aromatic notes of dried fruit, chocolate, and vanilla. The palate confirms the nose adding a distinctive whisky note that is much more pronounced than the 12 and 16, becoming a lovely scotch ale/scotch whisky hybrid. 5 Stars

Kulmbacher Mönchshof Schwarzbier (Germany)
The oldest brand produced at Kulmbacher. Schwarzbier simply translates to black beer. A careful examination of the color reveals far more than black exhibiting a deep mahogany that appears to be black when viewed in the glass. This is exactly what a dark lager should be. Aromas of roasted malt with a beautiful - in measure - hop accent. Medium-bodied with an ideal texture being both lush and refreshing. 4 Stars

Mahrs Christmas Bock (Germany)
Deep bronze color with a short head. The aromatics offer classic scents of fresh yeast, early morning bakery style while also floral with a deft accent of hops, caramel, and roasted nuts, The texture is amazingly silky while vibrant showing incredible balance and complexity. The finish trails with a pretty marriage of malt and hops with a complimenting note of cocoa nibs. Wonderful. 4 Stars

Sam Adams Boston Lager (USA)
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Brilliant golden amber color. The nose reveals a complex marriage of roasted malt and fresh German hops that offer floral, citrus zest, and pine cone aromatics. The palate exhibits a rich malty, toffee like core with a crisp, mildly tart edge. Wonderfully balanced and ultimately satisfying. Medium to full-bodied with perfect balance seamlessly weaving malt and noble hop notes. 4 Stars