On the third day of Christmas...

Brooklyn Brewery brought to me: a 12 oz. bottle of Black Chocolate Stout, a Russian Imperial stout weighing in at 10% abv. and by all definitions meant for leisurely sipping and enjoyment.

When I went outside earlier tonight, I got a whiff of Christmas. For the first time this year, that winter smell -- a mix of pine needles, fired furnaces and cold -- smacked my face as I headed to my car en route to the grocery store. I thought immediately, Tonight's the night for chocolate stout -- dark, syrupy, opulently chocolately chocolate stout.

Pours jet black with a thin layer of brown/tan head. (There probably should have been more head, but I blame my glassware, which probably wasn't cleaned properly -- damn roommates!) Smells strongly of chocolate with maybe a touch of coffee and raisin. First sip unleashes tons of bittersweet chocolately goodness, met with strong bitter black coffee. Some sweetness peaks through -- raisins, prunes -- but the roasted coffee/chocolate flavors predominate. Oh, and the alcohol makes its presence felt, coming through in the finish with a nice warming feel. I'm guessing this would age well, as some of the alcoholic notes might mellow.

I'm not a big fan of Imperial stouts, but this is one of the most flavorful, interesting, and complex ones I've tasted to date. Now if only I had a fireplace to sit in front of while I sipped it.

On the second day of Christmas...

Magic Hat brought to me: a 12 oz. bottle of Howl, their winter seasonal brewed in the style of a schwarzbier.

I've never been a big fan of Magic Hat. The ubiquitous No. 9 never interested me. Circus Boy is drinkable, but there are way better examples of the style out there. Same goes for Lucky Kat, their IPA. But 'tis the season for forgiveness, so I went into this tasting with a clear mind and an open heart.

Howl pours quite dark with hints of red peaking through as it's held to light. Some solid head perched on top, a finger or two of fluffy off-white foam that sticks around for the duration. A sniff reveals notes of chocolate, coffee and some toasted grain, along with a whiff of caramel. Taste is much the same -- nice balance of chocolately sweetness and roasted malts, not sweet but definitely not dry. Just enough bitterness lingers on the tongue to warrant taking another sip, then another one soon after. This stuff has a little body to it, but it's light enough to be eminently drinkable. The 4.6% abv doesn't hurt, either. All said a pretty tasty beer, and it paired nicely with these:
Magic Hat, you have redeemed yourself. And I don't think it's just the Christmas spirit in me talking.

On the first day of Christmas...

Victory brought to me: a 12 oz. bottle of Yakima Twilight Ale. (Sorry, no rhymes.)

It's fitting to start with a brew from Downington, Pa's Victory Brewing Company -- just a short sled ride east on Rt. 30 from my apartment in Wayne. I'm surprised it's taken me so long to taste this beer, which replaces Hop Wallop as Victory's November to January offering, as heaps of praise have been tossed its way.

Fortunately, the wait's over.

The label reads,

The Yakima Valley of Washington is the heartland of American hops, having contributed uniquely flavorful varieties that have helped to redefine American brewing. Late summer harvest yields the bounty that builds this exciting ale. Vibrant and aromatic, this is their moment of glory as the vines have withered by the time you sip this. Dark malts warm the hops' bright edge bringing harmony to the finish. Rest well hop roots. Spring will come and we'll be thirsty again!

Now that's a description. I challenge you to read it without salivating or arriving at the last line holding your cap over your heart as you wish these noble hops a well deserved winter rest.

I let this warm a bit then poured it into my Duvel tulip. Pours a dense mahogany brown, tinged orange, with a 1/2 finger of fluffy tan head. The aroma roars up the walls of the glass, bursting forth with notes of piney citrus backed by rich, bready malts. First sip begins with the same hop intensity: sharp, dry, bitter hoppy in the best sense of the word. Then the Munich malts kick in, countering the citrus edge with an almost roasted graininess. The bitterness hangs on, leaving the mouth dry but thirsting for another sip. This stuff is 8.7% abv, and that's apparent, though not unwelcome or overbearing in anyway. Full-bodied, chewy -- this is a good sipping beer and a beaut to look at, as the tan head begins to dissipate, its last vestiges clinging nicely to the side of glass in sticky rings.

What will my true love bring tomorrow? Be sure to come back and find out!

The 12 Days of Christmas Beer

Here's the deal; it's pretty simple. Starting next Monday -- 12 days from Christmas, though you probably figured that by now -- I'll sample a winter seasonal or Christmas beer every day until a sloshed Santa stumbles outta the hearth and searches in vain for a tray of handmade cookies to sate his drunken appetite only to come up with a couple Trader Joe's Cat Cookie crumbs strewn on the floor next to the couch.

Hopefully I'll be joined on this adventure by one or two guest bloggers, so we might end up tasting more than 12 beers. Or the guest blogger might try the same beer I do, and we'll use the post to compare our thoughts.

This should be fun. Winter seasonals are an interesting bunch, ranging from spice bombs loaded with cinnamon and cloves to understated lagers and deep, rich doppelbocks. Also in the offing is something to eat along side these winter elixirs: dark chocolate truffles laced with mocha porter.

Hello again

Wow, it's been way too long. March 24th? Are you kidding me?

Lots has changed since then. No longer am I a student, for now at least. No longer am I in State College, having taken up residence in my parent's house in bucolic and increasingly beer-friendly Bedford for the time being. And no longer do I have one of the best beer bars in PA just a three-block jaunt from my apartment.

That devilish trifecta hasn't dampened my enthusiasm for beer, though, so some things never change. While the pickings are slimmer in my new, old environ, I'm still finding ways to sample interesting and new stuff. The problem? The six-pack shops and bars don't stock as many quality brews as their State College brethren. That means the only way to taste test often involves buying an entire case... not that I'm complaining.

I've taken up that challenge twice in the past few weeks, first loading the beer fridge with 24 bottles of New Holland Brewing Company Mad Hatter IPA -- a very tasty and drinkable 5.80% abv from Michigan -- and supplementing those with a case of the aptly named Hoppus Maximus Amber Ale from Thirsty Dog Brewing Company in Ohio. Both were blind buys -- I don't recall ever tasting a New Holland or Thirsty Dog beer before these two -- and both satisfied. I didn't think I'd ever blog again when I drank these, so excuse the lack of more thorough elaboration.

That's it for now. Welcome back. Hopefully the weeks and months ahead prove as fruitful as the early days of this blog.