Brouwerij Sint Bernardus Watou - St. Bernardus Christmas Ale

Purchased From: Bierkraft
Serving Type: 750 ml bottle, corked and caged, poured into a wine glass

Yesterday I posted a Christmas review of Fantôme de Noël for the holiday. I was happy to realize I had the beer to drink because I thought I had lost my review of the St. Bernardus Christmas Ale. Today I found my notes for the review and instead of waiting a year and reusing it in celebreation of Christmas 2013, I'm adding a second bonus Christmas beer.

This holiday special from Brouwerij Sint Bernardus in Watou Beligum pours a deep chestnut body with a mild amber glow that shines in light. The beer's foam produces a medium-sized light tan head that musters modest retention and leaves thin wisps of lace on the glass. Sweet candy adorns the nose, buttressed by spicy undertones of nutmeg and allspice. The beer seems very sweet with a light hint of astringency.

There's an interesting component of sweet leatheriness up front. The beer is initially smooth and slick but strong carbonation tumbles in on the mid-palate. Sweet and slightly sugary, the beer features figs and a mild touch of raisin. The dark fruits, light mustiness, and sugar give this Winter beer an edge like a Port wine. Carbonation dances on the tongue and evaporates the candied fruit leaving darker toffee notes and a full bodied creamy mouthfeel. Sweet breadiness and caramelized sugars define the finish that leaves a warming chest heat, perfect for cold Winter relaxing.

Final Verdict: A

Brasserie Fantôme - Fantôme de Noël

Purchased From: Bierkraft
Serving Type: 750ml bottle, corked and capped, poured into a snifter

To celebrate Christmas and Winter Seasonal beer this year I enjoyed a bottle of Fantôme de Noël from Brasserie Frantôme in Soy, Belgium. Unfortunately I do not know the year on this bottle. It is at least from 2011, brewed ahead of last Christmas, but it could possibly be older. The drink by dates on the label were not notched.

Fantôme de Noël pours a medium auburn body with a lightly reddish undertone. The body is very hazy with both fine yeast suspension and large pieces of sediment floating idly. The light tan foamy head is fairly small from a moderately vigorous pour. Mild retention leaves nearly absent lacing. The nose is spicy with a huge candied sugar aroma. Dusty and lightly boozy the beer is reminiscent of the cellar with a dash of apple cider and wafting Belgian yeast.

Light Belgian ale on the foretaste introduces the distinctive earthiness of the underlying saison. A tiny hint of sourness sneaks in on the mid-palate with a well received Belgian funk. The earthiness becomes an undertone that carries pronounced cinnamon and the resurgence of apple cider. A hint of woodiness leads into the mildly bitter finish that leaves a warming heat on the Chest, perfect for sipping by a Christmas tree on a cold Winter night.

Final Verdict: A-

Smuttynose Brewing Company - Smuttynose Winter Ale

Serving Type: 12 oz. bottle, poured into a plastic cup

This Winter seasonal from New Hampshire-based Smuttynose pours a rich mahogany body with a tawny, warming glow. The moderately-sized tan head is made of a frothy foam and features medium retention and solid lacing. Chocolately aroma matches earthy hops and a very mild smoke. Moderate spiciness rounds out the nose and builds further on the Wintery theme.

The beer is spicy up front with velvety carbonation. Roasted malts are impressive and despite the carbonation the beer seems silky smooth. Earthy and nicely smoky, the beer is no smoke bomb, but satisfyingly complex. The finish is dry and layered with dark flavors and a lingering smoke and light sweetness.

Final Verdict: B+

"Blue Moon Brewing Company" a/k/a Coors Brewing Company - Blue Moon Winter Abbey Ale

Brewed In: Boulder, CO
Serving Type: 12 oz. bottle, poured into a plastic cup

Among a number of seasonals from Blue Moon Brewing Company (ahem) Coors comes the Blue Moon Winter Abbey Ale. The beer, fashioned after a Beligan dubbel, pours a crystal-clear, medium-brown body with a ruby glow. The head is a large creamy yellowed tan with solid retention. It leaves layers of lace at the top of the glass (err, plastic cup). A big malty nose features minor grassiness on the back end. Mild toasted caramel notes are slightly soured by graininess. Overall it seems fairly dry with a slight sweet kick.

Carbonation is big and crisp up front, but yields to a light wateriness. The beer seems more like a brown ale than a Belgian dubbel or abbey ale. There's a light earthiness with mild wood notes and a faded hint of chocolate. Malts take the center stage, but remain underwhelming. They're thin with a lagery base malt undertone. The finish is mildly medicinal with a dry sweetness.

Final Verdict: C*

* - While I think this is a better beer, I gave a C to the regular Blue Moon Belgian White as well. I think that this Winter Seasonal is a bit better as beers go, but not quite enough to earn it a C+. It is a far cry from a Belgian Dubbel, but it is functional as a brown ale, and not what I'd call bad at that.

Southern Tier Brewing Company - Old Man Winter Ale

Serving Type: 12 oz. bottle, poured into a plastic cup

The Old Man Winter Ale from Southern Tier is dubbed an Old Ale, but doesn't quite fit into that category. It is however, perfectly at home for Winter drinking. It pours a medium-to-light amber body with ample frothy foam. The head is off-white and slightly yellowed. The retention is solid and the foam leaves chunky lace. The aroma is toasty with hints of vanilla and moderately dry hops. Toasty sweet caramel lightens the nose, but is contrasted by the slightest hint of smoke.

The beer is big with a full-bodied mouthfeel. A slight cellary feel teams with the hops for a drying effect, but is met by caramelized sugar providing sweetness and earthy tones and dried fruit with hints of raisins. Slight mineral water steps in as the flavor begins to fade. The lingering aftertaste is pleasant with a mild dustiness and a grassy grain feel. A slight chest head develops on the back end, giving this beer its cold weather feel.

Final Verdict: B

21st Amendment Brewery - Fireside Chat

Serving Type: 12 oz. can, poured into a plastic cup

Fireside Chat, another history-laden name from the already decked out 21st Amendment Brewery, pours a deep tawny brown body with glowing chestnut tones. The head is a thick creamy light brown foam that fades slowly and leaves wisps of lace behind as it goes. The nose is malty with toasted grains and a slight chalky elemental essence. Hops are dank and semi-pungent, offering a slightly brighter edge to the aroma.

Minor coffee notes play off against a light crisp carbonation with a refreshing airy feel. The impact of the flavor with the light body offers satisfying contrast. Mineral water pervades throughout the body and acts as a foil to piquant hops featuring a dusting bright, fresh flavors. The beer is very pleasant and drinkable. It offers a different style for a canned beer, but remains fairly light overall.

Final Verdict: B

Brouwerij Corsendonk - Christmas Ale

Purchased From: Harvest Fine Wines & Spirits
Serving Type: 330ml bottle, poured into a snifter

In celebration of Christmas this year I chose to review, the very fittingly named, Christmas Ale from Belgium-based Corsendonk. The Christmas Ale is a seasonally released interpretation of a Belgian Strong Dark Ale produced by the well-known Belgian brewer.

The beer pours a deep chestnut body with a large, frothy yellowed light tan head. The foam retention is excellent and leaves sparse lacing on the glass. The snifter-concentrated nose is very dusty and dry. Definite cellar notes combine with mineral water to form a solid musty base. Dry, but potent, spices emanate late on the aroma and combine with dark smokey incense notes.

On the sip the mouthfeel is very smooth. Carbonation is light overall, but features pockets of bristling bubbles that prod the palate. Surprisingly bright fruits light up the flavor with minor orangey citrus and a dusting of apricot. There's even a hint of light mango or papaya. As the citrus fades the apricot opens the door to some darker Winter fruits that usher in a dash of candied sweetness. Spices play well with the fruity notes and lend a dryness on the back end. The finish comes across with a minor carbonation bite and a lasting, but receding, fruitiness and a satisfying chest heat.

An excellent beer for Winter drinking that proudly features bright flavors, often lost in the deluge of Winter Warmers and the like.

Final Verdict: A

Narragansett Together At Last - Review Recap

Over the last year of Musings on Beer I've reviewed all of the beers offered by new (old) up and comer Narragansett Brewing Company. After collecting all of the seasonals and saving one tallboy each, I'm finally able to show them all together in their matching glory and think back at all of the reviews I've done.

Originally established in 1890 Narragansett had a good run, over 90 years, of brewing and success in the New England market. Unfortunately, with the advent and subsequent domination of the mega-producers Narragansett Brewery was shuttered and the once popular (sponsor of the Boston Red Sox) Narragansett lager was no more. This is a fate shared by many of the once dominant brands, many of which have been resurrected by Stroh Brewing Company, later bought by Pabst Brewing Company (e.g. Schaefer, Schlitz, and Pabst itself). While the brands exist they exist more in a state of IP holding, produced only through contract brew.

Narragansett's story is similar, yet unique from many of the brands of yester-year. In 2005 the Narragansett brand was purchased and resurrected by one Mark Hellendrung. While each of the beers is contract brewed, the dream is to bring the brand to prominence in the New England market and earn enough to re-open an official Narragansett Brewery. Well-known Genesee Brewing Company of Rochester, NY currently brews the Lager and Light varieties while the limited run seasonals are brewed in Providence, RI and Pawcatuck, CT.

While I wouldn't label any of the brews 'World Class' each stands apart from the competition in their respective groups. The Lager and Light versions stack up favorably to other American Adjunct Lagers and similar Macrobrews. What's more, it is fairly rare for American macro producers to release a series of seasonal ales and lagers. It is even rarer for the beers to come out well-crafted and delicious. To cap it all off, my appreciation for Narragansett, the brand, the beers, and the plan is the storied past and the sheer affordability. Cheaper than most comparable offerings from macros and craft producers these beers are stand outs in their iconic can designs.


Check the individual reviews below for more information:
Narragansett Lager
Narragansett Light
Narragansett Bock (Spring Seasonal)
Narragansett Summer Ale (Summer Seasonal)
Narragansett Fest Lager (Fall Seasonal)
Narragansett Porter (Winter Seasonal)

Boulder Beer Company - Never Summer Ale

Purchased From: Harvest Fine Wines & Spirits
Serving Type: 12 oz. bottle, poured into a pint glass

Never Summer Ale, the hinting, but slightly deceptive name packs a significant and tasty Winter Warmer. It pours a clear and glowing red-amber body with hints of glowing brown. The head is large and creamy with excellent retention and lacing. Caramel and hints of cinnamon come across up front on the nose, followed shortly by dry hops and biscuity malts.

Brown sugar sweetness is prominent off the bat with a creamy mouthfeel and a minor vanilla extract tinge. The body is slightly woody and earthy with a subtle spiciness combined with roasted chestnuts. The rich and deep character slowly fades to a dry finish with a condensed tightness that carries a slight bitterness.

Final Verdict: B+

Anchor Brewing Company - Anchor Christmas Ale 2010

Purchased From: Sonoma Wines & Spirits
Serving Type: 12 oz. bottle, poured into a pint glass

I'm a bit late to the game on Anchor's special 2010 Christmas Ale, but I'm glad I made it. I'm hoping I can find a six-pack of this around somewhere soon, before I have to wait 11 months to have it again. The beer, a 'Winter Warmer' has a dark body with a ruby glow that lets only hints of light through. The head is medium-sized tan foam with a mildly creamy consistency. The retention on the head is moderate.

The nose is predominantly dusty and earthy. Underneath there's a vague licorice scent among hints of chocolate and a moderate bitterness. The beer is initially a fair bit spicy with a complimentary sweetness, which gives the beer an almost dessert-like quality. After only a second or so, the beer is seemingly transformed by a meaty, almost salty flavor and a very light smoke that adds considerable depth.

Overall the mouthfeel is creamy and lends itself well to cold-weather drinking. The finish is a bit herbal and a coffee-like aftertaste lingers for some time. I'm a huge fan of this, and I'll have to find it again somewhere soon.

Final Verdict: A

The Inveralmond Brewery - Santa's Swallie

The Inveralmond Brewery - Santa's Swallie
Purchased From: Canal's of Hamilton
Serving Type: 500 mL bottle, poured into a Becker pint glass

A very timely seasonal brew for today's Christmas Special. Santa's Swallie is a washed-out copper hue with a minor haze. It packs a large yellowy head with craterous fluffy clouds of foam. The beer's got tons of carbonation with bubbles clinging to the bottom of the glass.

The nose is malty and very lagery. There's a slight oak to it along with a yeasty dusting. The flavor is a bit subdued overall. There's minor notes of nutmeg, but the promised cinnamon is seemingly missing. There's a mildly drying bitterness and the finish is slightly watery.

Final Verdict: C+

Samuel Adams - Old Fezziwig Ale

Samuel Adams - Old Fezziwig Ale

Purchased From: Harvest Fine Wines & Spirits

Serving Type: 12 oz. bottle, poured into a pint glass

Old Fezziwig is ‘Winter Warmer’ style ale. The style is typically characterized by big malt boldness, occasional prominent alcohol, and, from time to time, spicing. Although the style truly should not be spiced, the label is often applied to beers that have been.

The beer pour appears syrupy and results in a mahogany brown with cherry hints. There’s a medium creamy tan/yellow-ish head that is good on retention and produces great lacing patterns on the glass. The malts on the nose are toasty and produce a pleasant sweetness along with fruit. Black cherries dominate the fruit tones, but there’s a mild tartness like peaches or nectarines.

Overall the beer is sweet, without much of a hop profile, but it is at once complex. The maltiness is prominent and great overall with a slight smokey character. Gooey caramel seems to define the toasted malt sweetness along with plums and cherries. Near the end there’s a mild roasted chestnut component that rounds off the beer. The finish is clean and the aftertaste is lasting and very pleasant. 

Final Verdict: A-