4/5

Dec 12th, Hullabaloo Winter Beer

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I’m a little sad we’re already halfway through the beer calendar.

Hullabaloo Winter Beer from Hangar 24 Craft Brewery, Redlands, California. 6.5% alc/vol
I like this beer a lot, it has a bitter aftertaste which really hits the spot, but I feel there is something missing for giving it a 5, it’ll have to be a strong 4 out of 5.

The label says:
Experience a world of hearty flavors and aromas with this special winter beer. This brew starts as a scottish ale featuring European and domestic malts, giving Hullabaloo intriguing caramel and roast nuances. A blend of American and English hops delivers ample bitterness & unique hop profile. This is a big, rich beer with a nice underlying complexity – Toast to the season!
Seasonal.

Dec 11th, Barney Flats Oatmeal Stout

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The beer of the day was Barney Flats Oatmeal Stout from Anderson Valley Brewing Company, Boonville, California. 5.8% alc/vol.
A strong 4 out of 5! A good winter beer for sure!

The label says:
A classic example of oatmeal stout: Deep garnet-tinted ebony in hue with a dense, voluptuous mahogany head. Aroma of fresh-baked bread, toffee, raisins, dried cherries and dark coffee. Pleasantly creamy, rich body with pleasing dark malt and freshly toasted bread aromas, finishing roasty and dry.
Solar Powered Brewery

Dec 1st, Firestone Walker 805

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The beer calendar is on! First off was 805, an ale from Firestone Walker Brewing Company in Paso Robles of the California Central Coast. 4.7% alc/vol.

I was excited about this one and we are going out strong this year. I give this 4 out of 5! Perfect after a long drive!

The label says:
Keep it local!

Dec 22nd, Alaskan White

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The beer for today; Alaskan White, Wheat Ale from Alaskan Brewing Co., Juneau, AK.

I always get suspicious when I see “white” on a beer label because it generally means it is a wheat beer and that I wont like it, this was however not bad at all! I would normally have given this a 3 our of 5 probably, but since it is a wheat beer, and it is really drinkable, I’ll give it 4 out of 5. I am generous!

Dec 19th, Spaten Optimator

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Haha, the first thought of the beer of the day was that it reminds me of that sugary molasses thing we used to give our horses when I was a kid. A lot of my friends love this beer, but I don’t know… it’s all right but not over the top. I would drink this any day over a lager or a pilsner though,
I give it 4 out of 5.

Spaten Optimator Dopplebock from Spaten-Brau, Munich, Germany.
7.6% Alc./Vol.

Dec 15th Winter Hook #28

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I was excited for today’s beer as it looked so cute wrapped in foil with a super short neck;
Winter Hook #28, Seasonal Series from Redhook Ale Brewery, Seattle
6.0% Alc./Vol,

Super good beer, it went down fast!  I give it 4 out of 5, it made me burp a lot.

The label says;
Redhook likes a little nip in the air.

Dec 8th, Spaten Oktoberfest

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I am happy to get some European flavors in the beer calendar! The beer for today was Spaten Oktoberfest, 5.9% Alc./Vol. From Munich, Germany

If a beer comes in a green bottle, it usually means it’s a lighter beer, like a lager or a pilsner and they are usually not what I prefer. This beer though was darker in color and had a lot of flavors! I like it! 4 out of 5!

Dec 3rd, Pipeline Porter

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Today’s beer; Aloha Series Pipeline Porter with 100% Hawaiian Kona Coffee, from Kona Brewing Co. Kona, Hawaii.

Since I just recently started to enjoy drinking coffee, I was looking forward to this beer. It was a good beer over all and I give it 4 out of 5, but I wish it had a tad bit more of the coffee flavor, I could barley taste it. It is a good idea though, mixing beer with coffee, I am all for it!

The bottle says;
Pipeline Porter is full bodied with a rich, smooth, dark-roastes malt flavor. A selection of premium hops and 100% Hawaiian Kona coffee complete this limited brew.
Since 1994, Kona Brewing Co. has been committed to making handcrafted ales and lagers of uncompromised quality. We invite you to visit our brewery and pubs whenever you visit Hawaii. Mahalo!

Dec 1st, Stockyard Oatmeal Stout

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Wow, we are starting off strong for this years beer calendar with a Stockyard Oatmeal Stout from JosephBrau Brewing Co., San Jose, CA. 5.2% alc. by vol.

The label says:
A deliciously creamy stout in the Irish tradition – with its rich tan head intact, this deep and dark-colored beer has the aroma and flavor of chocolate, roasted oats, and coffee – all derived from the specialty malts used in the brewing process.

It has a lot of flavors which is nice, but it is a little too fuzzy for my taste. Overall a good beer, and I give it 4 out of 5!

Super excited for the beers to come!

Dec 23rd, Santa’s Private Reserve Ale

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I am a huge fan of Rouge so I was happy to unwrap the Santa’s Private Reserve Ale from Rouge Ales, Newport, OR. And it bothers me a little that I only give this one 4 out of 5. I think I had really high expectations. It is a really really really good beer, but taken it is Rouge and a special edition beer, I wanted something extra. It felt a little like this could have been any other of their excellent ales, just packaged in a different bottle. Still an awesome beer that I would drink any day, but I wanted a little more!

The label says;
Reddish-copper color with a roasty, malt flavor and a well balanced, sprucy finish.