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The 1997 Christmas from Anchor Brewing is once
again complex but well-rounded. The enticing ruby color is topped by a dark
creamy head that emits both malty and spicy aromas with ginger being a
prominent one. The full body is matched with complex dry and spicy flavors that
produce a nice favorable combination before finishing on the dry side.
The front range of the Rockies is the source of Old
Jubilation Ale from Avery Brewing. The 1997 offering features a
clear dark ruby color, chocolaty and spicy aromas, and a diminishing head. The
reasonable body is accompanied by a balanced flavor of malty sweetness and dry
chocolate flavors. Some subtle spices are present as are subtle hops.
A clear, deep amber color, the 1996 Fall Fest from
Boulder Brewing is well carbonated and offers a malty aroma, light body,
sharp hoppy flavor with undertones of crystal malt.
Breckenridge Christmas Ale (1998) has a misleadingly
clear amber appearance. Serious Chinook hop aromas first assault the senses. A
big body is matched with smooth malty flavors, a slight chocolate note and very
strong hop bittering. Complex and assertive, the flavors come through best when
it warms up a bit. The bottled (2000) offers a medium body with a sweet
"berry" flavor matched to a malty sweetness that finishes cleanly.
From Full Sail comes their 1996 Wassail Winter
Ale with its spicy aroma, dark ruby color topped by a light creamy head.
The medium body is matched to a flavor dominated by a very dry maltiness with
subtle spices and noticeable alcohol.
The Full Sail 1997 Oktoberfest, dated to "enjoy
by" 123097, is a clear dark amber color with reddish hues. Impressions start
with the malty aroma followed next by the creamy mouthfeel and big smooth body.
The flavor begins malty sweet but finishes more malty dry; very clean.
A sweet but non-malt aroma first strikes the senses. The hazy
gold color meets the eyes as the Premium Honey Wheat from
Humpback flows from the 22 ounce twist-off bottle. A medium-bodied brew,
the light honey sweetness is followed by an expected wheat crispness.
Amber in color, the Premium Ale from Humpback
shows good carbonation with light esters in the aroma. With its medium body,
the flavor is evenly balanced between hops and malts. Some fruity notes are
present in the dry flavor which finishes slightly hoppy.
Joining the stampede by other regionals to jump on the seasonal
bandwagon, Linekugen is offering their Winter Lager With an
actually malty aroma this ruby-colored beer is well-carbonated and produces a
creamy head. The subdued hop flavor is aptly matched to the light body and
accompanying clean dry, malty flavor.
From south of the border comes Noche Buena from
Cervecería Cahutemoc. The 1997 rendition is a ruby red color with
a weak head and "grainy" aroma. Well-carbonated, the dry malty flavors are
well-matched to the medium body, with accompanying creamy mouthfeel, and light
bittering hops.
![[Pete's label]](graphics/gif/winterbr.gif)
Continuing with the previously
popular fruit/spice recipe with homebrew origins, the 1996 Wicked Winter
Brew from Pete's Brewing is not distinguishable from last year's
brew, at least in the bottled version. The bottles are twist-offs! Topping the
reddish copper liquid was a bright white foamy head produced by the intense
carbonation. The raspberry aroma started forcefully but was tamed by the dry
mouthfeel, medium body, smooth malty flavor, and light fruity sweetness. It
finished dryly, probably due to the use of nutmeg in the recipe.
For the winter of 1997, the Pete's Winter Brew is
again similar to the previous year's. On draught, the clear dark amber liquid
produces fruity aromas that are followed by a medium-bodied brew offering a dry
raspberry/malty flavor with subtle hops and a very dry finish. Overall, a nice
complex but well-rounded brew once again.
In the Spring of 1998 Pete's offers their Springfest.
This clear dark amber colored brew has a light malty aroma matched to a coarse
but rich malty flavor where alcohol is lingering in the background waiting to
dominate the overall flavor experience.
From Boston Brewing and its contractors comes the 1997
Sam Adams Winter Lager. This "dark
wheat Bock" is a dark amber color with a medium head, light malty aromas and
creamy full body. The flavor starts malty sweet but proceeds to evolve toward a
crisp dryness characteristic of wheat and rye beers. The head fades fast as is
typical of some higher alcohol Bock beers. Overall, a clean brew with a very
dry finish. This year's label shows the months of January through June (notched
at April) with the text reading "For brewery-fresh taste, purchase before month
notched."
Available Fall, 1996, the Honey Raspberry Ale from
Spanish Peaks Brewing Company is now receiving widespread distribution
in six-pack form. The clear deep amber color contrasted sharply with the thick
white head. Even from a distance the powerful raspberry aroma made its presence
known. First impressions were formed by the creamy mouthfeel, medium body, and
mellow sweetness. The flavor itself was a well-matched blend of subdued
raspberry sweetness and maltiness. The overall flavor lingers just long enough
before finishing on a sharp and dry note.
The Prospector Joes label offers a Special Dark
Golden Beer. It begins with a clear amber color and produces a lasting
head. The aroma is noticeably estery with a nutty bouquet. The full body
accompanies a creamy mouthfeel where the dry malty flavor gives way to a slight
diacytl character before finishing on the dry side.
From Denver's Wynkoop
Brewing comes the 1997 Solstice Winter Ale. Dark amber in color
and well-carbonated, the light head gives way to reveal malty aromas. A creamy
mouthfeel and full body combine to support the dry malty/spicy flavor with its
moderate hops and lingering alcoholic finish.
The 1997 Winternacht from Portland's Widmer
Brewing is labeled "a rich, roasted seasonal ale." The dark amber brew
offers fine bubbles and a malty aroma. The big body is joined by big malt and
hops in the flavor, similar to an English Strong Ale. Overall impression: Nice.
As the name implies, great on a winter's night.
NM Virtual Brewpub 
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