Sip of Sunshine

The beer of Danish kings!

A quality brew if ever there was one.

Platypus Brewing Ole Chit!

I'm now drinking a Therese by Bangor Beer Company.

Hexagenia and Lost Ghost DIPA.

For Halloween, the beer selection were on/from the dark side. By that not implying anything about Colorado, that by chance happened to be the geographical origin of both brews, but reflected the glass content-

My favourite of the two was Malbec Stout, from Ska Brewing in Durango. A more-than-medium full stout with ample, but not dominating, hints of prunes, coffee and chocolate. A lovely aftertaste... ABV 6.5%

The second was S'mores Yeti Imperial Stout from Great Divide Brewing in Denver. As an Imperial, it was powerful inall aspects, not least the ABV with 9.5%, but also with overtones of vanilla, chocolate and coffee. The latter was IMHO a bit of overdose, and was like a shot of espresso added. But, as always, YMMV.

Hexagenia and Racer 5.

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...76c1607556.png

Dare I say it's a bit overpowering. It really is like drinking a white Russian. Not exactly sure it's what I would want 13.65oz of in one sitting.

Leaving the Octoberfest period behind, I started looking for Winter and Christmas brews.

In the latter category I found an old friend, Lagunitas Holiday Ale, with a star shaped Santa on the label. A well made, serious hoppy ale with fruit overtones and a tiny hint of honey. But, tbh, besides the label, it doesn't ring any Christmas Bells.

The winter beer turned out to become love at first sip. Hibernation Ale from Great Divide Brewing Co n Denver is not for the regular lager drinker, The label states 'English Style Old Ale* flanked by 'Robust' and 'Malty. IMHO, way better than traditional British Ale, with darker color, fuller taste with more bitterness without overdoing the act. Something to go Hibernating with.

Another good Colorado seasonal is Breckenridge Brewery's Christmas Ale.

Resident Culture Iconic Anonymity

Not sure why I hadn't picked up any Resident Culture before but great things from this Charlotte based brewery. Right up there with the IPAs coming out of New Anthem in Wilmington

Ticked off another pair of Christmas Brews, both Belgian.

The Gouden Carolus Christmas is a rather dark ale with a very full and spicy taste of star anise, cinnamon, honey and Christmas cookies. At first, I thought it to be a little bit too sweet, but it turned out to be a winning concept. ABV 10.5 %. The mature Gruyère in cubes matched very well.

The second act was Corsendonk Christmas Ale, also a brown ale, had a fruity taste with medium sweetness, hints of figs, cinnamon and apricots. It was served with thin cinnamon crisps with Cabraliego, a perfect pair with the ale. ABV 8.5 %

Track Brewing Going to the Sun
KettleHouse Brewing Hellgate Honey Hefeweizen
Migration Brewing Proper Pilsner

The head brewmaster at Denver Beer Co died last week in a climbing accident. :( (Before his current job, he was the head brewmaster at Oskar Blues.)

Continuing the mini-odyssey of trying the beers designed for holidays to come, yesterday was two-act show of new acquaintances.

The first, Abita Christmas Ale, from Abita Brewing Co in Abita, LA, was a medium-full brownish liquid fruit cookie, with a rather fast disappearing after-taste with hops and chocolate. Not enough Christmas joy for me really.

The second one, Snake Dog IPA, was displayed among the other Christmas brews, but is probably a seasonal brew from Flying Dog Brewery in Fredrick, MD . The full hoppy aroma and taste, with a flattering amount of bitterness, topped up with hints of pineapple and grapefruit made it a great contestant among Winter IPAs, I'll get a couple of six-packs for the cold days to come.