It's easy as pie (pumpkin?) to find specialty holiday beers these days. From pumpkin ales to spiced winter warmers to super hoppy IPAs, the beer world is awash in as much sudsy fare as your holiday table is likely to be adorned with specialty dishes. All the more reason, then, to heap praise on Twain's Billiards and Tap located in the heart of Decatur, Georgia for their unique and original Gingerbread Brown Ale.
Ginger-infused beers, while not ubiquitous, are not as scarce as hen's teeth, either. Most of the ones I've tasted, however, are based on a lighter colored and bodied ale, then delicately seasoned with ginger. Twain's even makes a lighter ginger ale, though I prefer the one under consideration today. That's because the fresh ginger combined with the brown ale works in a way we'll soon discover.
Twain's Gingerbread Brown Ale pours to a medium dark brown color with a thick creamy head formation and a delightful gingerbread nose. The palate has just the right amount of dark sweet malt that, when combined with the ginger, really calls forth the flavor and aroma of a fresh piece of gingerbread straight from the oven. The beer finishes slightly on the sweet side, but not overly so, allowing the ginger to balance more than the hops do.
This one is usually on during the holidays, and if you're in the area, it should not be missed. And make sure you order the 20-ounce glass. Christmas comes but once a year, after all.
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