Breckenridge Christmas Ale

Brewed by Breckenridge Brewery
Style: American Strong Ale
Denver, Colorado USA

12 oz. bottle. Poured a dark amber color with little head and no lacing. Floral, hoppy aroma with a bit of caramel maltiness as well. Flavor was the same. This gets a 4 for palate because the alcohol was well hidden. But overall, the aroma and the flavors just seem to be muted. Not a very vibrant beer. Decent though

Bottle. Pours a burnt orange color with a small off white lingering head. Aroma is pretty bland; notes of yeast, light sweet malts, and chemicals is all I can discern. Flavor is slightly spiced with a hint of caramel leading to a light bitter finish. Thin to medium body that coats your tongue. This was lacking in some areas.

Kind of boring, much less flavorful than I’d hoped. I detected a bit of ginger and caramel, but nothing jumped out at me, not even the alcohol (I didn’t realize it was 7.4%) Looked nice at least, a lovely rich brown with a small, thick head. Glad I tried it in a mixed six and not a whole six.

Clear mahagony with a foamy, almost-cream colored head that stays as a compact 1/2" layer and laces well. Healthy citrus & floral hop aroma with sprucey spiciness, grapefruit and a touch of Windex. Flavor is well-hopped with grapefruit at the start and finish, but this beer shows great balance, centering on sweet bread/muffin malts. Mid- to full-bodied with a buttery mouthfeel. Alcohol shows late with astringence as weak whisky. While this brew isn’t fully decked out for Christmas, it’s still my favorite holiday offering thus far.

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For a christmas/winter ale this was simply non-festive. I expect some spice and fruit aromas and flavors for the style. As an ale its allright, nothing special, but for a holiday brew it seriously lacks some style definiting taste.

On tap @ Breckenridge Brewery. Amber colored body with a pleasant nose of carmel and sweet malt. Similar flavors as in the nose especially the carmel and a mild hop presence near the finish. Quite enjoyable.

One of those beers I hate to say that I like better out of the bottle than in a glass. The flavor and strength don’t quite add up to a strong ale but at least it doesn’t feel like they skimped on the strength of the beer in the process. Leaves you saying, "hmmm that’s a pretty good beer" with no real prominent thoughts as to the flavor.

Not bad for a strong ale, doesn’t taste that much like a strong ale. The flavor seems to recede after a few sips.