Southern Tier Krampus

Here is what the Brewer Says:

St. Nicholas, aka Santa Claus, is a magical figure, the bringer of gifts and an icon of holiday spirit. Forgotten by most is his evil side kick and enforcer of ‘the list’. European tradition says while St. Nick is busy delivering presents to good little boys and girls, Krampus hands out punishments to the bad. A fanged, goat-horned bully, the Christmas Devil uses sticks and chains to beat the naughty children. Dark malts and aromatic hops create the diabolical spirit of this brew. It is finished with lager yeast and aged cold for no less than 30 days. This Imperial Helles Lager will warm even the darkest hearts.

This season, replace the cookies with a bottle of Krampus. If he happens to pay a visit, toast to him with this devilish brew. Merry Kramp-mas to all, and to all a good pint!
9.0% abv. • 20º plato 

My Thoughts:  This brew poured  a darker orange in color with a fair amount of head that quickly dissipated.  The smell was very strong in terms of citrus and floral hops with also a hint of sweet bready malt.   The taste really was something special.  The sweet malt flavors and a mild citrus bitterness hit you at first.  Mid-Drink you are tasting the sweet malt flavors again but the hops are starting to dry  your palate out a bit.  In the end the dryness and bitterness kicks in at the right time leaving you with a wonderful lingering bitterness that has a sublet sweetness to it. The mouthfeel was medium, with a fair amount of carbonation.The mouthfeel  really fit the hoppy nature of this beer very well.  Drinkability for me as a Hop-Head was very high.  This is as close as I've tasted to a Christmas DIPA.  I see myself buying more of this because I completely enjoyed every sip and was sad when my 22oz bottle was finished!

My Rating: Overall 98/100

look:4.75  smell:5  taste:5  feel:4.75  drink:4.75