Dangerously Subtle - Funkwerks Saison

Funkwerks Punch is good, so good that I think it is my new brew for spring. Funkwerks has been my favorite Brewery in Fort Collins Colorado since it opened. To some this would be blasphemy in the mecca of beer with breweries such as New Belgium and Odell, but Funkwerks is something very special and each of their beers are expertly and passionately crafted. Their flagship Saison has always been one of my favorite beers, and I am not alone since it won the gold at Great American Beer Fest in the Saison category; it is truly top of its class in every way. The original Saison is a bit spicy with banana notes and barley notes that are not biscuity per say but much more clean and refreshing, it makes a great warm weather refreshing beer that still has a mighty punch at 6.8% abv. But, as good as their flagship Saison is; the red wine barrel aged Funkwerks Punch is out of this world.  

The name Punch comes from the Puncheon red wine barrels the original Saison was aged in, and these barrels added something incredible to the already outrageously good Saison base beer. Funkwerks Punch poured out of a 750mL bottle into a standard Saison glass delivers a golden hued light colored beer that seems unaffected by the red wine barrels that ist was aged in. A tall pure white head builds quickly but dissipates quite fast due to it not being dense at all as it expertly aerates the complex nose to come. The nose is a myriad of spice notes and tropical flavors; the major difference between Punch and the base Saison is the presence of red wine notes that really opens the whole nose up in complexity. The taste is incredible and only accented with the red wine barrel aging process as it mellowed and blended all the flavors extremely well. The strong tastes that the Saison yeast yields are mellowed by the wine notes making it a more subtle and dangerous, yet the wine and it’s tannins leave no trace of fruitiness and acidity, leaving the Saison to blossom on its own terms. The cracked barely gives a great base but it is not biscuity or overwhelming; matter of fact no single aspect of this brew overwhelming or domineering, they all play a delicate balance and support each other perfectly.

Punch finishes extremely clean with a hint of tartness that refreshes the palate, making an extremely easy drinking, balanced, and refreshing brew. Beware though; its easy drinking subtly paired with an increased 7.2% abv due to the barrelling process makes a beer that you want to drink a lot of, but could end with you napping on your sun-soaked porch for all your neighbors to see.

Why Does This Even Exist -- Traveler IPA Shandy

The minute I heard about Traveler Beer Company’s IPA Shandy my mind instantly jumped to an iconic Jeff Goldblum quote, but with a boozy twist: “[your brewers] were so preoccupied with whether or not they could that they didn't stop to think if they should. I honestly questioned why this mashup was even necessary and if it could even be pulled off successfully. After my first taste some of my fears were laid to rest, but most came to roaring life. Traveler is not known for playing it safe by just releasing one safe and dull beer after another, it takes risks and ventures where few breweries dare. In this case Traveler has created something that while very unique and individualistic is also a bit of a flop where instead of becoming the best of both worlds it is just another mashup that is underwhelming and nothing too special.  

Pouring from a bottle into an american pint glass Traveler IPA Shandy viciously builds a thick and dense pure white head that dissipates very slowly over time.  Traveler uses seven different hops in the brewing process and the result is a nose that is slightly hop forward and dominated by grapefruit scents that overwhelm the nose, a preview of what is to come . This beer boasts seven different hops but the hop profile is disappointing and overcome by the overreaching tangy citrus of the grapefruit. Due to even and clean carbonation, a balanced and simple palette, and a mere 4.4% abv there is little aftertaste to this brew making it very easy drinking. I see new beer drinkers or fans of wine coolers enjoying IPA Shandy from Traveler, but hop heads and purists will be greatly disappointed.

In all, Traveler has a track record of taking the Shandy style and applying their extremely creative twists such as they did with their Lemon, Grapefruit, and even Pumpkin iterations. I am a bit of a fan of the Grapefruit, but not the others.  This IPA Shandy is true to Traveler’s break all barriers and take no prisoners attitude, as well as being true to their shaky track record.  The IPA Shandy is yet another daring and genre-bending beer that while it may not be everyone’s forte, it will definitely please those looking for something bit more subdued, accessible, and non-normative. Pick up Traveler’s IPA Shandy if you are looking for an easy drinking IPA that is not the best on the market, but is quite creative nonetheless.  

*Disclosure: Traveler sent me two free bottles for a taste test for another writing assignment. I included only my own opinions and thoughts for this review.

Subtle and Dangerous -- Warrior IPA by Left Hand Brewing Co.

 

Warrior IPA from Left Hand Brewing is a balanced India Pale Ale that puts Colorado Cascade hops hops on a pedestal. Left Hand has a history of talking proven and well explored beer styles and tweaking them in slight ways in order to create their own unique takes on well-known classics. While Left Hand did not create another genre-defining juggernaut like their Nitro Milk Stout, Warrior IPA is a very solid and well crafted entry in the bomber based IPA market.

I poured my 22 oz Warrior IPA bomber into a standard pub glass and an off-white head with caramel hues built thick and dense. The dark amber bronze of the beer does not let much light permeate, giving the color depth and full reddish hues. As you move your nose to the glass you are immediately greeted by a caramel maltiness and notes of pine and citrus, giving only a hint of the hop profile to come. The Colorado Cascade hops that are added farm fresh for every batch create a subtle and well balanced hop profile that complements this understated beer quite well. The palette of Warrior IPA is extremely dry, forcing you to slow down and savor every subtle aspect of this incredibly well balanced beer. Finally, a chewy and biscuity maltiness give Warrior a full mouthfeel that yields way to a finish that is not clean per se but does open up the drinker’s palate quite well for the next drink.

At 7.3% abv Warrior IPA is an accessible yet satisfying big beer that leverages its balanced and subtle flavor profiles astutely; Left Hand Brewing has created a solid entry into the ever expanding IPA market that I look forward to enjoying again.

Guinness IPA -- An Old Dog Can Learn New Tricks

Guinness Nitro IPA is a beer with a major identity crisis that works both for and against it.  When you look at Guinness Nitro IPA and their original Stout from 1759 the similarities are striking, but it is the differences that put this IPA in class of its own. They both use the same malted barley grown not far from St. James Gate in Ireland, the same yeast strain that has been preserved for over 250 years, and they both use the same method of Nitrogen carbonation.  Even though the Stout and IPA share similar traditions, this new IPA is very much its beast of its own. The distinguishing facet of the Nitro IPA is that it features 5 hop varieties; Admiral and Celeia are used in the boil for bitterness, then Challenger, Cascade, and Topaz are dry hopped for aroma. This beer proves that Guinness’s roots and traditions are as strong as ever and they still have the capacity to surprise and even though it is not groundbreaking or overwhelmingly innovative, I do truly enjoy the new IPA.

Upon pouring the Nitro IPA from the can to a Guinness glass the beer surges in the traditional fashion and builds that recognizable head that is very thick, pure white, and about a quarter inch deep. The appearance is characterized by a beautiful golden color with a rich hue that refracts light brilliantly and cleanly. The nose is underwhelming but pleasant with slight citrus notes from the aroma hops used in the dry hopping process and a faint malty character from the malted barley. In taste this is in no way a hop-forward beer, but the hop profile works well in that it adds a bit depth to the crystal grains taste and expands the flavor in complex and unique ways that move beyond the classic Guinness Stout. The hop notes slightly noticeable albeit pleasant on first taste, and they do not linger whatsoever, making a very clean and accessible brew. The Nitrogen carbonation works well balancing the hop flavor perfectly and creates a smooth and enjoyable experience.

Guinness Nitro IPA is a bold move, and while it is not overly exciting it does end up paying off. The surge, head, and balance due to Nitrogen are all classic Guinness but the hoppy notes and golden color are treading fully in India Pale Ale territory.  Everything in this beer is in perfect balance and I would recommend Guinness Nitro IPA to stout fans, IPA fans, and those looking to cautiously expand their palate into hoppy beers. 

Let’s pour another.

**Disclosure: Guinness sent me two free bottles for a taste test for another writing assignment and invited my wife and I to a Guinness Sponsored beer pairing dinner that was quite enjoyable. I included only my own opinions and thoughts for this review. 

DUB by 10 Barrel -- Affordable IPA for Hop Heads

Dub Double India Pale Ale by 10 Barrel Brewing Co. is an extremely hop-centered and malty beer that represents everything the American Double style strives to be. Double or Imperial IPAs are everything you would expect from an India Pale Ale just turned up to 11 and Dub is no exception. When I sat down to do this review I was blown away on how tipsy I was after finishing the 22oz bomber, and this makes sense due to the abv weighing in at a whopping 9.5%. Needless to say I had to wait a couple of hours before writing and making this post. Dub is not an easy drinking nor balanced beer by any measure but that is just what 10 barrel was going for and what adventurous hopheads are looking for.  

I poured the 22oz bomber into a tulip glass in order to properly aerate the brew and I was able to enjoy two full glasses from the bottle. The head builds quickly to a thick white foam two fingers thick that dissipates in a moderate amount of time into a thin layer layer of cloudy white foam. The nose is predictably hop-forward but there are some citrus notes and an aroma of maltiness from the grain. The color on the pour is a hazy golden orange that diffuses light well. The taste is obviously hop-forward but the extreme malty quality of the grain balances it well. While this is not a beer for the hop adverse it is surprisingly drinkable and smooth for the 9.5% alcohol rating and the extreme amount of hops 10 Barrel uses in brewing. The conventional bitter aftertaste is present, but again not as big as I would have expected from such a large Double IPA.  It is easy for a hop lover like me to finish the whole bomber in one setting, but I would be careful of what you are planning on doing after imbibing due to the high alcohol content.

Dub Double India Pale Ale by 10 Barrel Brewing Co. is in no way suitable for the IPA newbie or those who do not love hops, but it is a great introduction for the hophead looking to enter the Double IPA style from the standard IPAs that they love. It is amazingly drinkable considering the hop profile and high alcohol content and I recommend it to anyone looking to become more adventurous in their beer drinking.

Road Beer -- Aggieland -- Shiner Bock

Road Beer is a reoccurring series of quick reviews of beer I have while traveling.  These posts will always be done on the spot and posted via my phone live while actually traveling, so please forgive the occasional  egregious typo and auto-fill.

After visiting Texas A&M for the first time we stopped by the amazing Torchy's Tacos for some first rate Texas Tacos; I of courses seized the opportunity to have Shiner Bock on tap for the first time.

Shiner Bock is a no frills, simple, and clean everyday beer, I was very impressed by it and plan to incorporate it into my everyday rotation. It has nice caramel notes that balance well with a slight maltiness that finishes well with a clean lager finish.

Shiner Bock definitely earns it's strong strong reputation, I wholeheartedly recommend it.

Road Beer -- DIA -- Epic Sour IPA

Today I am starting a new series; Road Beer, quick reviews of beers I had while traveling.  These posts will always be done on the spot and posted via my phone live while actually traveling, so please forgive the occasional  egregious typo and auto-fill.

I tried Sour IPA by Epic while waiting for my flight to Houston from Denver. Epic tap handles always catch my eye since I am a huge fan of most of their stuff, and a sour/IPA crossover caught my attention and piqued my interest. I am honestly not a huge fan of sours, they tend to be a bit pretentious and I honestly think people tend to overhype them, but since I am a huge IPA fan I decided to give it a shot.

This Sour IPA was a bit of a letdown, especially considering its 'Epic' pedigree.  The sour notes were pleasant and did not overwhelm the flavor profile like they do in many traditional sours and they  also subdued and accented the hoppiness well.  Sadly though this beer seemed to be a mediocre compromise of two styles rather than the seamless marriage it could have been.

Catch you a bit later down the road.

Dublin -- One Pint at a time.

I wanted to take a quick break from the normal beer reviews and do a quick piece on my recent trip to Dublin. This will be the first of many travel related beer and booze posts. 

Dublin is an amazing city that straddles it’s rich history and modernity with ease, finesse and elegance. My wife and I visited last summer and it quickly became a trip of a lifetime, I hope that others can experience just as we did; one pint of brew and glass of whiskey at a time.

On our first day we took a leisurely 4 kilometer walk across the entirety of the city center as we made our way from our hostel to our first destination; the Guinness Storehouse.

Guinness at St. James Gate is a sprawling campus that stretches multiple city blocks and is connected by underground tunnels and sky-bridges stretching overhead. Visitors are only allowed in the storehouse and not the brewery itself; it is a visitor friendly complex where you can explore the various facets of Guinness and its history at your leisure while on a self guided tour. Here you can learn about Guinness’s brewing process, rich history, and enjoy installations such as advertisements over time, and the evolution of the brewing process. One new aspect which I enjoyed greatly was tasting the new experimental brews created by the Brewer’s Project at the ‘Open Gate Brewery’, Guinness’s small batch experimental brewery that is responsible for creations such as Guinness Blonde and Guinness IPA. By far the greatest experience in the storehouse is pouring your own pint under the direction of of an experienced St. James Gate bartender and then enjoying it as you overlook all of Dublin from the Gravity bar; it was obviously the best pint of beer I have ever experienced.

The next day, we headed in the opposite direction out of the city center to the Old Jameson Distillery. Before moving to the distillery in Cork Jameson produced all of its whiskey onsite in Bow street, right near Temple Bar. Jameson was the major employer in Dublin for over a century and its influence can be felt throughout the city even today as a major taste and trendmaker. After arriving we went on a guided tour where I learned more about Irish Whiskey in one hour than I had my entire life previously thanks to a passionate and knowledgeable guide. The pinnacle of our experience at Jameson was tasting various special reserves and limited releases, many of which were only available at the distillery.

The greatest aspect of Dublin however reside in its beating city center with Trinity College, St. Stephen’s Green, a dozen amazing museums and scores of pubs.

Pub life in Dublin is eclectic, energizing, and soaked in history; it is a true experience to behold. My wife and I had pints in no less than 14 pubs and they were all very different from one another yet shared many similar aesthetics. A very large number of these pubs exist now as they did 200 years ago with very little changed or modified; you could easily imagine Irish Nationalists sitting in the booth across from yours plotting independence from English rule a hundred years ago or a poet writing his next great work. It was an experience in of itself to just take in the history of each pub, trying to place yourself in the historical context in which they existed.

Take my advice and go experience Dublin one pint at a time.

A Match for Lovers -- Raspberry Nitro Stout and Vanilla Ice Cream

Somethings just go great together: peanut butter and jelly, thunder and lightning, Kim and Kanye, and now Double Chocolate Raspberry Nitro Stout by Fort Collins Brewery with vanilla ice cream. It is well known that stouts mixed with ice cream is an unbeatable combination but with this pairing we have found the king of the crossover.

Double Chocolate Raspberry Nitro Stout is a full bodied brew that pours a rich dark brown with micro-sized nitrogen carbonation barely visible to the naked eye under a thick white head with a hazelnut tinge. When you add a scoop of rich vanilla ice cream the nitrogen carbonation dances around the newly introduced sugar source building a bit of a frothy blanket around the top of the glass that releases a bouquet of rich scents. Taking the first sip brings an avalanche of amazing flavors; the chocolate base is melded perfectly with rich vanilla overtones from the ice cream while the caramel notes from the malt ties it all together extremely well. The concoction finishes stronger than any I have ever had with lingering raspberry notes stick to your tongue long after the drink is finished. Picking different stout to ice cream ratios as you consume this decadent treat allows you to play with the complex flavor interactions in a way impossible with just beer alone.

Double Chocolate Raspberry Nitro Stout by Fort Collins Brewery with vanilla ice cream is not a drink nor is it a dessert, it is an experience in of itself. Find your lover, grab a fresh bottle, a scoop of ice cream and experience the best pairing of sin that Colorado has to offer.  

Enjoy By 02.14.16 -- Bringing Craft Brewing Back to It's Roots

I love to homebrew and one of my favorite aspects of the process is that it is messy, inexact, and a bit sloppy; every batch is a bit different and they are all exciting and somewhat unpredictable. One of the reasons that I gravitate toward craft and micro brews is that they are as close to the aesthetics of homebrewing as possible; the offerings are much smaller in scale and they take far more risks and offer much more variety. I have never had any beer, not even a craft, that emulates this experience as well as Stone’s Enjoy by 02.14.16 Unfiltered IPA. Stone has brazenly taken out the filtering step that makes modern beers so refined, predictable, and physically clear. Hold this brew up to the light and you see a galaxy of particulates dancing about in the golden beer; there are bits of hops, yeast, and protein fragments that Stone elected not to filter out, a choice that has made me fall in love with a brewery I have largely forgotten.  

I was able to pick up an extremely fresh 22oz bomber of Enjoy by 02.14.16 Unfiltered IPA that was bottled in early January right when it hit shelves in Colorado and the freshness was evident in every aspect. I poured the hazy IPA full of particulates into a standard tulip glass and a fluffy pure white head built immediately and deep, dissipating to a finger width of thick foam. A hazy golden hued color became evident as the particulates settled and it washed my kitchen prep table in a beautiful golden halo. The nose hits before you are even close to the beer itself, it is pungent (in a good way) and hop forward with overtones of complex tropical fruits due to the enormous hop variety, it smells like a true and unbridled IPA. The taste of Enjoy By is otherworldly and one of the most aggressive yet surprisingly balanced IPAs I have ever had. The base is naturally but not overwhelmingly sweet which balances the extreme hop profile quite well, it is much more balanced and drinkable than I would ever expect from Stone.  The hop variety adds depth without dominating while the multiple types of hops add complex citrus notes and the distinct taste of tropical fruits. Enjoy By finishes extremely clean for such a hoppy beer with barely any bitterness, a testament to its fresh nature.  

Enjoy By 02.14.16 Unfiltered IPA by Stone brings craft brewing back to its messy, unpretentious, and fresh homebrewing roots.  This beer is a dynamic and very surprising entry from a brewer that I became bored with years ago. Grab a bomber now while they are still fresh and experience craft brewing the way it should be.  

Seclusion IPA by New Planet -- Gluten Reduced Option for Beer Drinkers

Seclusion IPA is an acceptable entry that stands on its own in a largely crowded India Pale Ale category, what makes it special it is also happens to be the best gluten reduced beer that I have ever had. This is one of the first beers to be introduced from New Planet Brewery’s new gluten reduced beer line and and it makes me very excited for what they have coming down the pipe. New Planet is using a novel new way of removing gluten from beer that allows them to brew with normal actual gluten-filled ingredients such as regular malted barley and grains, the same ingredients that would be used for any beer. To make the beer virtually gluten free the brewers use a innovative process to remove the vast majority of the gluten from the finished product producing a real IPA that is true to style and actually quite tasty. New Planet has done an incredible job creating a real beer that has had its gluten removed, not the brown water substitutes that we are all accustomed to from other gluten reduced and gluten free options.  

Upon pouring from the can to a pint glass Seclusion IPA builds a light and fluffy white head that builds quickly and then dissipates into a nice thin foam that aerates the complex flavors and nose well. The nose itself is pleasant and slightly hop forward with a hint of malt that readies your palate for the taste that is about to come. The color is a light and clear amber copper that has a perfect level of carbonation that is uniform and releases flavor and subtle notes well.  The taste and mouthfeel is where this beer excels; it keeps to style perfectly with its hop forward profile that is present but not intimidating or overbearing, although it is a bit tame and underwhelming at times. Seclusion finishes extremely strong with a subtle yet not overwhelming bite. The mouthfeel is smooth and the biscuity malts play extremely well with caramel overtones. Seclusion finishes smooth and clean with floral and pine notes.  

Seclusion IPA from New Planet is a well-balanced and acceptable IPA that just happens to be gluten reduced, I would drink this any day as a go to IPA when I am in the mood for something that is more on the mellow side. For those that have a gluten insensitivity or allergy New Planet Brewing it is a gift from above because for once they can finally enjoy a real beer made from real ingredients.

**Disclosure: New Planet sent me two free cans for a taste test for another writing assignment. I included only my own opinions and thoughts for this review. 

Snow Day by New Belgium -- King of Winter Seasonals

If you have read my reviews for any length of time you could easily deduce that winter beers are my favorite seasonal style and Snow Day is definitely one of my favorites. I was actually quite surprised to see Snow Day on shelves since it was a seasonal from years ago, but since New Belgium is reviving it for this year I could not pass up the opportunity to enjoy one of my favorites again. This beer is dark, rich, and opulently flavorful, just as winter beers should be and exactly how I remembered it. Snow Day is best enjoyed on a cold night as the snow piles up outside your window and the high 6.3% abv will assuredly keep you warm and content as the long night passes.  

I poured the 12 oz bottle into a New Belgium snifter glass and immediately a light brown head built thick and tall. The head dissipated extremely slowly into an equally dense pillow that rested over an ale that is so dark that it is nearly black; hardly any light permeates at all. The nose was very complicated and aerated extremely well by the thick head. The smell at first was extremely hop forward due to the the three distinct hop varieties; Cascade, Centennial, and Styrian Goldings but mellowed with the help of balanced citrus overtones. The taste is truly surprising and the strongest aspect of the beer; I thought there would be much more maltiness and heavy acidity since that is characteristic of near black brews, but boy I was wrong. The taste profile itself is actually quite balanced and flavorful thanks to the Midnight Wheat base malt imparting very neutral and even wheat like flavors, even though it is responsible for imparting the near black coloring. Overall, the taste is very hop forward with profiles of sweet cocoa infused with coffee, finishing a bit hoppy and dry making your mouth plead for more.    

Overall, Snow Day by New Belgium is a very palatable beer that is also extremely multifaceted and deep in both flavor and complexity. This would be a great beer to introduce to friends that are looking for something a bit more challenging yet still accessible and satisfying. Pick up some Snow Day and enjoy it while it is still available and snow is still on the ground.  

A Revolution in Brewing -- Soul Squared Brewing

Inside the original barn in the middle of a working farm Soul Squared head brewer Jay Shambo and his crew are revolutionizing the way we obtain and drink local beer.

To get Soul Squared’s whole line of beers, one must purchase a yearly share in their Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program. Members receive a case of bombers filled with a new beer every month and each one is something to behold. Soul Squared only has three beers that are distributed by conventional means to local liquor stores and bars: their Belgian Blonde Ale, American Brown Ale, and Extra Pale Ale, the rest can only be obtained through their CSA. Soul Squared seems to understand the excitement of experimentation and exclusivity, so if you are not a CSA member, you will miss out on their ever-changing monthly beer.

The first of their CSA beers I had was the Colorado Wheat Ale; it is a stunning take on wheat that brings the style back to its roots. I poured the first half of the bomber into a standard Pilsner glass and a medium density pure white head formed quickly and dissipated at a moderate rate leaving thick tracks on the glass. The color is a brilliant hazy golden yellow that reflects on the table in a beautiful halo and you can see the quintessential wheat induced cloud immediately. The nose is filled with a malty floral tinge that readies your palette for the beer itself. The taste is spectacularly clean with heavy maltiness that balances spice notes well. Soul Squared locally sourced all their wheat and even the barley itself is malted in Colorado, this commitment to local products makes this beer one something very special; you can taste Colorado in ever sip. The brew does not have a heavy hop profile so it finishes extremely clean making it easy to enjoy in any situation without ruining your palate. This is a great brew that perfectly embodies the back to basics movement that Soul Squared represents.

The Belgian Blonde Ale is a triumphant and creative American twist to a Belgian favorite. I poured the bottle into a Trappist glass where a hazy and golden yellow ale built a light-bodied, pure, white head that settled to very thin and wispy clouds. The nose is sweet with hints of spice and citrus, preparing the palate for what is to come. The mouthfeel is very biscuity and grainy in texture which complements a sweet malt base. American hops give this old Belgian classic new dimension by adding flavor depth and complexity without overwhelming the rest of the flavor profile. Trappist yeast lends the spice and citrus notes while the classic grains and malts make the beer crisp and refreshing.

Everything Soul Squared does is built on community and local sustainability; the wheat and grains are from local Northern Colorado farms and ingredients are processed right in Colorado. 2016 members will start off the new year with bombers of the Scottish 80 Shilling that incorporates raisin and plum fruit notes. The rest of the line up sounds equally as appealing with a Belgian Golden Strong Ale, Belgian Quad, and a Honey Hibiscus Saison scheduled for June. Experience community supported agriculture and brewing at its finest by purchasing a share in Soul Squared’s bountiful boozy crop. For more info, visit soulsquaredbrewing.com. I whole heartily recommend experiencing community supported agriculture and brewing at its best by purchasing a share in Soul Squared’s bountiful boozy crop.

**Disclosure: Soul Squared gave me two free bottles for a taste test for another writing assignment. I have also worked with the head brewer in an unrelated capacity for years and enjoy him as a coworker and friend. I included only my own opinions and thoughts for this review. 

Big Beer Winter -- Gift of the Magi Ale by The Lost Abbey

I absolutely love big beer winter seasonals and Gift of the Magi Ale from The Lost Abbey is one of the best. Lost Abbey has a history of making great big beers and brewing their own creative takes on the Belgian Strong Ale category, and Gift of the Magi is no different  The beer comes in a corked 25oz bomber and at 12% ABV it is definitely one to be shared with loved ones due to its strong and sometimes overwhelming nature. I recommend giving everyone a taste during a holiday meal since there is enough to go around and it encapsulates the feeling of Christmas perfectly due to its strong dark nature and palate of seasonal spiciness.  

After uncorking the large bomber and pouring Gift of the Magi Ale into a large tulip snifter the deep golden honey brown color of the beer formed a deep and thick off-white head that dissipated into a still thick but small cloud of foam. The taste starts with a malty sweetness that is indicative of Belgian Strong Ales and caramel undertones work well with the base malt.  The hop profile is quite firm but overall subtle and not overpowering, Lost Abbey even uses a small bit of Frankincense as a bittering agent that gives it an ancient and unique feel.  The nose is one of the best I have ever experienced; it is spicy and floral, highly reminiscent of a slowly crackling fire.  Once again Lost Abbey fully embraces the season by adding the herb Myrrh which adds a nutty characteristic to the nose and accents the overall taste quite well. Even though this is a big beer in every way imaginable it finishes clean due to the lager yeast used during fermentation which mellows the strong taste profile. Gift of the Magi is a huge beer that drinks surprisingly easy and will warm you up even on the coldest of winter nights.  

I recommend picking up this Christmas seasonal immediately as it is truly one of the best in class and will not be on shelves forever. Gift of the Magi Ale from Lost Abbey is a gift fit for a king, or even a savior.