As one door closes, another one opens as they say. I was reflecting on this at the bar at Taco Mac as I sipped on a glass of Printers Ale Manufacturing Biere de Noel. This is my first beer from this new brewery based in Carrolton, Georgia. While I was enjoying one of their several Christmas Ales I reflected on a Christmas Ale I won’t enjoy this year, Abbey of the Holy Goats Spiced Chevre Noir Black Saison. Roswell’s Abbey of the Holy Goats closed it’s taproom shortly after I visited last March, and the brewery’s equipment was auctioned off a few months ago. Yes, there is no shortage of breweries these days, but each represents someone’s dream, and it is always a sad thing when a dream dies.
That said, we welcome Printers Ale Manufacturing to the fold of Georgia brewers, and I’ll let them speak a little of their origins.
From their website:
1800
Great-great-great grandfather and brewmaster Martin Fischer (born 1769) opens his own gasthaus in Brunau, Germany.
1886
Great-great grandfather Karl Ludwig Fischer closes the gasthaus and moves his family to Scranton, PA after stowing away on a ship to America.
1911
Great grandfather Philip John Fischer forms his own printing company in Scranton that is owned and operated by our family to this day.
1982
The family printing business expands to facilities in Carrollton, GA to service the record companies opening factories in the southern U.S.
2017
Greg Smith, the great-great-great grandson of Martin Fischer, comes full-circle (occupationally speaking) by opening Printer's Ale Manufacturing Company in Carrollton, GA.
Printers has several holiday beers, the most interesting of which is a fruitcake ale. I’m all over that if I find it, but tonight I am enjoying their Bier de Noel. Here’s what they say about it on their website:
Our Belgian Holiday Ale is brewed with orange peel, ginger, and allspice to compliment the fruity, spicy character from the yeast. With its inviting, deep mahogany hue and complex flavor and aroma, this beer is the perfect compliment (SIC) to holiday dinners with friends and family.
Hmmmmm. They spelled complement incorrectly. Hey guys, you are printers after all. But I digress.
Printers Ale Manufacturing Biere de Noel has an alcohol content of 8% by volume and I paid $8.50 for an 11-ounce glass at Taco Mac.
My glass of Printers Ale Manufacturing Biere de Noel arrived a murky brown in color with a thin head formation and a soft dark fruity raisin nose. Taking a sip, I got a dark fruity palate of raisin and plum accented with subtle funky dubbel yeast and cookie malt notes. Soft spicy ginger and drying nutmeg accompany warming alcohol in the finish.
I love the subtle spice notes here and the Belgian yeasty notes, though I would like a little more of the latter. A solid four-star effort in my book, though I’ll take back a half star for the excessive price. That said, I would certainly buy this beer again.
And remember, try a new beer today, and drink outside the box.
*Pricing data accurate at time of review or latest update. For reference only, based on actual price paid by reviewer.
(B)=Bottled
(D)=Draft
(G)=Growler