Try?
I have a
tendency to procrastinate. Once, during a class on which subject I can’t
recall, the teacher who was apparently fed up with late papers announced she
would like to talk to us about procrastination. At which point I replied,
without batting an eyelash, “Can’t we talk about that tomorrow?”
Ahem. And so you understand, I have a tendency to procrastinate. And that’s probably why I’m late with this one, reviewing Spanish Peaks Winter Cheer for my Christmas in July beer event. And posting it in August. But what the heck. Since this is a Christmas beer, I’m pretty late drinking it anyway.
But that’s OK, because socking away a few Christmas beers to enjoy in July has become a tradition for this beer enthusiast, and it can be a lot of fun for you, too. Usually, winter seasonal beers are bigger beers, maltier or hoppier or maybe both than most. And that allows them to stand up to the test of time a bit better than other brews, at least if you keep them properly stored. Leaving them in the trunk of your car through July is not going to help them out very much.
Winter Cheer comes in heavier on the malt side. It’s made with five (count ‘em) malts: Munich, Cara-pils, roasted barley, standard 2-row, and chocolate. It’s hopped with Mt. Hood, Cascade, and Pearle varieties.
Spanish Peaks Winter Cheer pours to a beautifully deep mahogany color with a light but very creamy head formation and a delightfully roasty dark malt nose. After about eight months in the DBR, well chilled at about 40 to 45 degrees, I’m still really liking the delicious dark malt flavor here. In many ways, Winter Cheer reminds me of another dark malty treat of days gone by: Devil Mountain Five Malt Ale.
Winter Cheer is clean of fruity esters but filthy with dark malt character: a hint of roasty coffee, bittersweet notes of chocolate, chewy toffee, and tasty toasted nuts. As the beer warms in your glass the hops will come through, especially in the finish, where they add an herbal grassy character as well as a gentle but unmistakable bitterness.
But really, this is a beer that’s all about the malt. It’s a little stronger than average at 6.3% alcohol by volume, and that really helps one warm up with a bottle on a cold winter’s night. Or to cool down on a sultry hot July one. You be the judge.
Ahem. And so you understand, I have a tendency to procrastinate. And that’s probably why I’m late with this one, reviewing Spanish Peaks Winter Cheer for my Christmas in July beer event. And posting it in August. But what the heck. Since this is a Christmas beer, I’m pretty late drinking it anyway.
But that’s OK, because socking away a few Christmas beers to enjoy in July has become a tradition for this beer enthusiast, and it can be a lot of fun for you, too. Usually, winter seasonal beers are bigger beers, maltier or hoppier or maybe both than most. And that allows them to stand up to the test of time a bit better than other brews, at least if you keep them properly stored. Leaving them in the trunk of your car through July is not going to help them out very much.
Winter Cheer comes in heavier on the malt side. It’s made with five (count ‘em) malts: Munich, Cara-pils, roasted barley, standard 2-row, and chocolate. It’s hopped with Mt. Hood, Cascade, and Pearle varieties.
Spanish Peaks Winter Cheer pours to a beautifully deep mahogany color with a light but very creamy head formation and a delightfully roasty dark malt nose. After about eight months in the DBR, well chilled at about 40 to 45 degrees, I’m still really liking the delicious dark malt flavor here. In many ways, Winter Cheer reminds me of another dark malty treat of days gone by: Devil Mountain Five Malt Ale.
Winter Cheer is clean of fruity esters but filthy with dark malt character: a hint of roasty coffee, bittersweet notes of chocolate, chewy toffee, and tasty toasted nuts. As the beer warms in your glass the hops will come through, especially in the finish, where they add an herbal grassy character as well as a gentle but unmistakable bitterness.
But really, this is a beer that’s all about the malt. It’s a little stronger than average at 6.3% alcohol by volume, and that really helps one warm up with a bottle on a cold winter’s night. Or to cool down on a sultry hot July one. You be the judge.
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
