Beer Review - 2012 Christmas Ale Challenge

Please note, all of these beers are judged according to Christmas flavor and seasonal "feelings". In my opinion all of these are great beers. We aren't professional judges we're just guys who like great beer. I always say go out and experiment, judge for yourself and use these, as well as other reviews on this site, as a template. Everybody's pallet is different. On to the tasting!

Barley's 
Fred - 2.5 
Brett - 2
Paul - 2
Keith - 2
Chris - 2
Anchor Christmas Ale 2011
Fred - 4 I love this. A very different style Christmas Ale. Subtle Christmas flavor with strong pine. It's like chewing on a Christmas tree...a tasty one without the ornaments. 
Brett - 2
Paul - 2 "Not for me."
Keith - 4
Chris - Not present
JB's Winterfest (Trader Joe's)
Fred - 3.5 (semi-pro review later)
Brett - 3
Paul - 4
Keith - 3
Chris - Not Present
Bell's Christmas Ale
Fred - 3.5
Brett - 3
Paul - 3
Keith - 3
Troegs Mad Elf (heavy alcohol warning! 11%)
Fred - 4
Brett - 4
Paul - 4.5
Keith - 4.5
Chris - 4
Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale (not a Christmas Ale but an IPA)
Fred "you guys know this is an IPA right?" - 1 (but it's a GREAT IPA)
All others gave it a 1 based on the Christmas Ale tasting but it's an IPA all of us liked. Don't be fooled by the name OR the label. Cheers!
Schlafly's Christmas Ale
Fred - 4.5 Almost perfect! Too bad I can't get it in Columbus.
Brett - 5!
Paul - 5!
Keith - 5!
Chris - 3.97 (Always gotta be one in the crowd)
Way to go guys!
Great Lakes Brewery Christmas Ale
It's "the one", "the only", and the most talked about Christmas Ale on YouTube and in Ohio!
Fred - 3.5
Brett - 4.75 (Great but not as good as Schlafly)
Paul - 4
Keith - 4
Chris - 4
Wow, looks like the "other guys from Saint Louis" came out on top.
Breckenridge Christmas Ale
Fred - 2 (ouch!)
Brett - 1
Paul - 2.5
Keith - "OK, why do I like this?" 2
Chris - 2
Moerlein Christkindl
Fred - 3
Brett - 1
Paul - 2
Keith - 2
Chris - 2
Avery Old Jubilation
Fred - 3
Brett - 4
Paul - 0! Our only zero of the night. I don't have any explanation.
Keith - 2
Chris - 1.5
Thirsty Dog's 12 Dog's of Christmas
Fred - Loved it! 4.5
Brett - 4.5
Paul - 4
Keith - 4
Chris - 4
One of the best Christmas Ales out there and it's local to Ohio! (Akron)


And the Winner is:
Hoppin' Frog Frost Frog
Unbelievable. Christmas in a bottle. Find it, drink it! (share it with me, hey I helped you find this right?)
Fred - 5
Brett - 5
Paul - 5
Keith - 5
Chris - 5

13 Beers, 5 tasters, 4 hours of laughing, drinking, and avoiding Paul's unique "outside voice" of his observations of female anatomy has brought you a helluva list for beer this Christmas season. Buy some for the beer snob in your life, buy some for you, but go out and judge for yourself! Life's too short for crappy beer. 

Beer Review - Bells Java Stout (plus a Video!)

I hope this made you thirsty, it's one of many video's I'll be posting in the days to come. I have 3 cameras and a few extra minutes per day to put these together. This was the initial run of my 1st attempt using my Nexus 4g and FujiFilm S700. I also have a microcam I'm going to use soon too.

Now, did I like it? Definitely. It's going to be a staple in my kegerator. (Way to go Bells! :)) Smooth creamy espresso and light cream (wheat? oatmeal?) made this go down too easy. If you like dark, very bold coffee you will be in heaven with this. Hops are virtually impossible to detect since the espresso flavor is so on top. There are hints of cocoa from some black patent malt (just a guess) but that bold espresso knocks everything else out of the park. Don't misunderstand me, it remains a very balanced beer. I've had others that taste like someone dropped a shot of coffee in a glass of beer and tried pulling it off as a "java or coffee" beer but Bells Java Stout is nothing of the sort.

Another "freebie" given to me by Bill.....thanks for the brew!

Coming soon (tomorrow) The Christmas Ale tasting. Beers included:

Bells - Christmas Ale

Anchor - Christmas Ale 2011

Schlafly - Christmas Ale 2010

Hoppin' Frog - Frosted Frog Christmas Ale

Troeg's - Mad Elf

Avery Brewing - Old Jubilation

There will be more but the rest of the bums aren't getting back to me. I hope Ogi brings his home brewed Christmas Ale. Stay tuned!

Barley's Smokehouse Maclenny's Scottish Ale (off the beer engine and dry-hopped)

Review to follow.

Scott's New Kegerator

Another "I'd Tap That" original upgrades to a kegerator. Congrats Scott!

Beer Review - Great Lakes Christmas Ale

Enjoying the glass of the month at the Winking Lizard on Hutchinson off 23. I can't believe they have it available, afterall its the 4th! /sarcasm intended
$4.75 for the pint and $6.95 for the glass. A bit expensive in my opinion but I liked the glass.
I've never had anything bad to say about Great Lakes brew and it'll stay the course in this review.
The color was a deep amber with a very nice head that didn't last very long. The aroma was filled with honey and Christmas spices, yes, it smelled like Christmas. Cinnamon, clove, caramel in the finish. Malty with a slight bite near the end but nothing to complain about, in fact I enjoyed it and it warmed my spirit. If I had to make a guess at the hop addition I would say some noble German hop like Hallertau or Saaz. This time of the season is my favorite for beers and this is among the top. It's very good and worth a try. If you can find it pick up a sixer and give it a shot. I'm still working on next years Christmas Ale because I've been busy over at the Graydentech blog working on inputting Microsoft's SCCM into my computer lab at home. I know I know, beer is helluva a lot more fun but it's not bringing in the Benjamin's (yet).
Stay tuned for the upcoming I'd Tap That Christmas Beer Tasting Extravaganza! I'm getting together a small group of beer snobs for a group tasting. Each of us will be tasked to pick up a six-pack, bomber, or growler of the Christmas Ale of their choice. We'll divide and conquer from there and try all of them. I'll post the results within 2 weeks so stay tuned!