Christmas Ale
(has 3 batches)

12 oz. 2012 vintage at 7.3 % ABV. Why would anyone cellar this beer?? The flavor is sweet sugary malts, dark fruit and some nutty notes with a medium bitterness toward the finish. Some light lingering bitterness. Real plain. Or maybe it’s plain compare to what I was drinking just before this. I wouldn’t ever buy this again. Meh

Bottle. Roasty brown bread aroma. Murky chestnut with a small beige head. Roasty malt, toast, nuts, and caramel flavor with a slightly bitter spice finish. Medium to full body, moderate carbonation.

2012 Vintage. 3 finger yellow-ish head that fades slowly. Burnt orange / copper appearance. Smells of copper, lemons and spices. Bready yeast. Sweet, candied sugar, peppercorn and other spices. Very warming taste and a bit of belgian goodness. solid beer.

Bottle @ home, picked up at Aggie Liquor in Fort Collins. This is the first time I’ve seen it in Foco. Pours a hazy orangish brown appearance with a creamy, light brown head. Just a touch fruity, plum, toasty caramel malty, a bit nutty aroma. Creamy, hazel nutty, light vanilla, toasty malty, light herbal bitter hoppy flavor. Not bad but I’m not blown away. Note: as it warms up there is a chocolate covered raspberry note that is nice.

2012 vintage. 12 ounce bottle. 7.3% ABV>Pours a cloudy copper-red color with a medium-sized beige head. Aroma hints a roasted malt and subtle maple and walnuts. Upfront, yeasty chocolate malt flavor with notes of dried fruit and toasted nuts. Some bitter hops in finish, but the malt dominates the palate. The complex maliness reminds me of dark baked bread with raisins. Their is an element of Belgian character without the residual sweetness. Very different and very tasty.

Distinct walnut nose with perhaps honey in the background, reminiscent of baklava. Cloudy brown, medium yellow head, fair lacing. Flavor full of walnut. Alcohol not noticeable. Fair level of malt bitterness, hops not detected. Well conceived.

2012 vintage, the bottle says it’s 7.3% abv Pours a slightly hazy deep auburn color with a huge khaki head that persists for a while leaving minimal lace on the way down the glass. Wonderful aroma of dark fruits like plums, dark cherries, prunes, and raisins. Lots of caramel and dark sugar aroma as well as a hint of alcohol and a bit of citrus and spicy hop. The flavor is sweet with lots of dark sugars and melanoidins. Light fruit flavors mixed with a bit of hay and I’m getting chestnuts? as well. Light spicy citrus bite and a touch of ethanol keeps everything on balance. Medium body with a light level of carbonation and a sweet almost syrupy mouthfeel. I quite enjoyed this beer, its an interesting fusion of styles. I find it like a dopplebock meets a Belgian strong dark only lighter in body and add some hops.

2011 bottle 6.2%. Wooden nose. Cloudy brown, low offwhite head. Somewhat oxidised, roast and wood. medium body, mellow mouthfeel. Nice enough.