Breckenridge Christmas Ale
Christmas is a few weeks past now, but that’s not going to stop me from posting reviews of tasty holiday treats. Breckenridge Brewery’s Christmas Ale is a 7.4% ABV winter warmer with plenty of malt character and just enough spices to give it a festive note. What I really like about this beer, however is the blend of Chinook and Mt. Hood hops that balance the whole thing out nicely.
There are many spiced holiday brews available on the market the past couple of years, but this one from the Colorado brewery is one of the more well-balanced ones I’ve come across. The spice notes are there to help accentuate the cocoa and caramel presence of the brew, not overwhelm them.
Appearance
Christmas Ale pours an orangish copper in color with a dense, off-white head.
Aroma
Caramel, lightly toasted malt, spices and light citrusy hop notes fill the nose.
Taste
The caramel maltiness and hint of coca arrive first with a blend of spices as the brew flows toward a moderately hopped and lasting finish. The hop character balances out the lower level of malt sweetness with a welcome touch of bitterness. The spice notes linger for a while in the lightly warming finish.
Overall
It may not be the most memorable holiday beer, but Breckenridge’s seasonal treat is a well balanced and easy drinking brew that warms the body nicely on a cold Winter afternoon. A moderate amount of spiced and a complimentary counterpoint between malt sweetness and hop character makes for a brew that I’d happily pick up again next year.
Rating: 3.5/5
