Saturday, November 13, 2010

Great Lakes Christmas Ale


Here is what the Brewer Says:  
Name Origin: For the holidays—from crowded stores to awkward office parties to grating family get-togethers, it’s still a time to be thankful. Especially for a festive holiday ale that will make you wish the holidays would last just a bit longer.
Style Origin: The tradition of holiday brews has its origins in the Middle Ages when spices were commonly used instead of hops to add flavor and medicinal qualities to beer. The style re-emerged in the early 1900s in the northern countries of Western Europe when local brewers began creating specialty holiday brews for their favored patrons. Today, most breweries make their holiday beers darker and more potent and often add spices like ginger and cinnamon for a more pronounced holiday flavor.
Ingredients:
MALT: Harrington 2-Row Base Malt: Allows color and flavor from other specialty malts to come through; makes for very clean beer
Wheat: Adds body and head retention
Crystal 45: Contributes to copper color and adds sweet caramel aroma and flavor
Special Roast: Contributes subtle hints of toasty and biscuit flavors
Roasted Barley: Added in small amounts to contribute to overall complexity and color without overwhelming
SPICES
Honey,Cinnamon, Fresh Ginger

HOPS
Hallertau: U.S. version of classic German noble hop; contributes mild bitterness and fine aromas

Cascade: Used as an aroma hop; citrusy aroma complements beer’s heavy spices

ABV: 7.5% ABW: 6.0% IBU: 40 GRAVITY: 17˚P

If you live in Cleveland chances are you've had a Christmas Ale before.  If you haven't you really should find it somewhere!  The color is a darker amber and poured with very little head.  The nose picks up cinnamon and ginger right from the start, in addition to a malty sweetness.   This seasonal holiday ale bursts with flavor upon sipping it.  The cinnamon and honey really shine through as the nose suggested they would. This beer also has a great balance of hops and malt that make it so drinkable.   Body and carbonation are both average which suits this brew very well.   Drinkablity for me is very high, This is one of my top three favorite Christmas/holiday ales and having it on draft only makes this brew even better.

Serving Type: Draft

My Rating: Overall 88/100
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25| feel: 4.5 | drink: 4.5

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