Exhibit A
As you can see, the Beer's pour is a dark, clear amber, not unlike a fine brandy. The thick head diminishes surprisingly fast, but that certainly doesn't spoil the taste...or the aroma. With a festive heady sweetness to the nose, you can tell this will be a worthwhile drink. A few sips in and I'm already feeling a bit lightheaded; at 6.8% ABV, this is definitively a heavier Beer than I'm used to trying. I would guess that pairs well with something hearty and full of meat (likely a big holiday dinner!) The taste is bittersweet, and the emphasis is on the sweet. Think if a Beehive got into of a bushel of Hops, and their Honey was dipped right into the malt. There also isn't much carbonation in the Beer either; I may have gotten a bum batch, but I rather like that Brewery-fresh smoothness. But of course, these aren't even the biggest highlights. Immediately following the sip, a warm feeling spreads into your throat, much more subtly than in stronger Beverages. The feeling lasts right up until the mouth-watering finish fades, keeping you warm perfectly in the (likely) cold weather. As the drinker continues, the bittering hops start to manifest. By the end of the glass, I was rather full (But still grabbed another!) All in all, a solid, strong, and filling IPA, from one of the more notable California Breweries. A must-buy if you are looking to spice up that Holiday party at your in-laws, and it won't hurt the Christmas dinner either.
Score: 9/10
Happy Holidays!
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