29 December, 2010

Anchor Steam Christmas Ale 2010.

Anchor steam Christmas is a beer that requires tasting vintage on vintage regardless of your beer preference. I have both stocked and tasted this seasonal ale since 2007 and every year it differs. It's not my favourite beer but it's definitely one of the ones I look forward to tasting most.
Anchor class this as an ale but it pours like a porter- dark brown with flecks of red and a thin white frothy head.
The nose smells of currants and caramelised sugar - molasses some coffee and roasted malt.
The palate is like a liquid sugar free Christmas pudding. Personally I like sugar in my dessert but for those that eat currants and raisins out of choice this is a beer for you. The flavours punch some clove dried fruits and some bitter high cacao content chocolate.There is also a hint of ginger with some cinnamon thrown in for good measure. The epitome of bottled Christmas.
If you received one amongst your 12 ''Beer Box'' beers than you're a lucky recipient. My 5 case allocation lasted no more than 2 days.
Consume now but will cellar well.
Ruthxx

20 December, 2010

XXBitters

If you were one of the lucky 65 people to acquire one of the 72 bottles of xxBitter 330ml in your Beer Box than my feelings towards you are both of jealousy and resentment.
This was a little unexpected gem.
It pours a milky cream colour with a snow white head and has a nose like ripe blackberry and cherries with a hint of yeast and hop. This leads to the expectation of a sweet palate and the surprise is... You're wrong and so was I!!!
It has some very dry fruit flavours with this crisp acidity and slight chalkiness on the finish. This has the look of a witte beer.The nose is reminiscent of both a Belgian witte teamed with a weisse and a hint of a lambic and the palate is a combination of a witte with a hint of an I.P.A.
So in essence this is a beer brewed by Charlie in the Chocolate factory but fortunately there's no swelling or violet  colour changing.
Ruthxx

10 December, 2010

Gouden Carolus Christmas 2010.

Gouden Carolus Christmas is definitely the 2010 festive favourite. This comes in at 10.5% alc. but still remains elegant and beer-like despite having a German wine abv.
This pours the colour of dark amber with a thin white head.
The nose is what I look for in a Christmas beer. I do have a gripe with some of the Christmas Ales
on the market currently, apparently having a Santa beard or an Elf's foot on the label qualifies as a Christmas beer. This exudes seasonality.
The nose smells like pink bubblegum and clove with aniseed and banana. The palate is aniseed with sweet fruit  and some wood/pine flavours.
This is a relatively sweet beer. Not Samichlaus sweet but definitely warrants a piece of Cashel Blue.
Drink chilled or at room temperature.
DELICIOUS!!!
Ruthxx

06 December, 2010

Christmas beers 2010

I have been waiting with Bated breath for our Christmas stock to arrive and just when I thought I couldn't hold out any longer...
-St Bernardus 4x330ml Glass Pack
-Goose Island Mild Winter 330ml
-Goose Island Christmas Ale 750ml
-St Bernardus Christmas Ale 750ml
-Samichlaus Limited Edition 750ml
-Samichlaus 330ml
-Triple Karmeliet & Kwak Gift Pack and just in case you weren't yet that impressed...









*Rochefort 8 Magnums*!!!!!!******************************
Gouden Carolus Christmas Ale is also here with some 330ml xxBitters.

If this doesn't tempt you to take a trip to Dundrum, then I give up.
I am having some serious difficulty writing this post as my hands feel like frozen steaks, nothing that a couple of bottles of Samichlaus won't thaw.
I can now officially say....
**************HOPPY CHRISTMAS!!!!**************
Ruthxx