Maritime Pacific Jolly Roger Christmas Ale

Brewed by Maritime Pacific Brewing Co.
Style: English Strong Ale
Seattle, Washington USA

12oz bottle courtesy of Ibrew2or3. Thanks again, Dave. Rust colored body with a small, lasting off white head atop. When it fades spots of lacing adorn the glass. Nose of various spices, dark fruits, figs, raisins, floral spicy hops and a bit of fusel heat. Flavor contains all of the promised notes, with tons of spice and full of dark fruits and hops, along with burnt malts. Finish is lengthy, a bit of heat, then fading into raisins and plums, malts and some spice. Palate is sticky, medium bodied, very coating. Very nice.

12 oz bottle pours a clear deep amber with thin off white head. The aroma is figs and dates mixed with alcohol bringing up the rear. The taste begins both caramely sweet and dark – fruity with prunes, raisins and a bit of pepper. Then a mild mixture of caramel, roasted malts and toffee run the flavor up a notch or two. Toward the finish pine hop bitterness and a solid does of alcohol begin to bring the experience to a close. It starts very nice but ends a bit harsh.

I really enjoyed this beer. One of the better christmas beers I’ve had. Warm aroma of brown and nutmeg. dark red brown color, two finger head. Tastes warm and inviting with rich full malts and a balanced hop finish.

Cask, at the brewpub. Copper, brilliantly clear and a thin but dense beige head. Nice aroma - butterscotch, rum, caramel and toffee. Smooth palate and nicely sweet and hearty. Mollassess and dark bread, and some smoove earthy hops.

12 ounce bottle. Shiver me timbers, but this is a good hearty holiday brew. It pours the color of a newly minted penny, clear and sparkling, with soft carbonation. The head is a light tan, although it mostly dissipates, leaving just a small remnant and some light lacing. The smell is like that of a small cabin in the woods of the Pacific Northwest, stumbled upon after a walk in the rain, the fireplace heating the room and the logs—light grains, caramel, light dough of baking bread, the scented woodiness of cedar. The flavor follows suit, with a strong woody cedar flavor wrapped around a nutty, caramel base. There is the flavor of lightly baked bread thrown in for good measure, which balances nicely against the malt and hops. I had this with dark chocolate after dinner and the slight smoky flavor of the chocolate helped to draw out the cedar of Jolly Roger, for a great pairing of dessert and ale. This could be a new Christmas tradition in the making.

warm aroma of sugar plums and nutmeg dance through my head. dark red brown color, two finger head fell fast. tastes warm and inviting with rich full malts and a balanced hop finish. surprised there are no spices, i like that.

12 oz. bottle. A nice, well-rounded winter warmer. Not much of a head, but presents a full, spicy-sweet aroma. The flavor is full of malts, so it come across as pretty sweet, but it’s not overdone. If spices are added, they’re also understated--I think it’s just a well thought out hop profile that puts the tang on the tongue. Have tried this beer in the past, and have not been knocked over by it, but this year’s batch seems mighty tasty. I’ll buy it again before the season’s over.

Good - could be great. Very rich, strong caramelly malt base. Toffee with hits of raisins and lots, I repeat, LOTS of spices (not heavy, just lots of them). Strong atgringent hop bitterness with a resiny finish. What really keeps this from reaching that next level is the slight metallic essence which is accentuated by the spiciness of the drink. 9% is not overpowering but you definetly notice its presence. Really good regardless.