Breckenridge Christmas Ale (6/10)

The Breckenridge Brewing Company of Denver, Colorado, produces this Christmas Ale.  They describe it as a full-bodied beer with a warming caramel flavor with medium hop character.  It’s available from November through December.

The beer pours a clear dark brown with a thin beige head that lasts mere seconds.

The aroma is on the yeasty side, and very malty, with a hint of hops.

The flavor is similar to that.  It starts with a  kind of dark-roasted malt bitterness, followed by ginger and nutmeg.  The finish is mildly bitter, a combination of the bitterness of the roasted grain and hops.

Neither Beer Advocate or Rate Beer is especially fond of this one.  Rate Beer gives it a 51.  Beer Advocate rates it 79/83 or okay/good.  I’m somewhere between the two, with a 6/10 rating.  It’s not bad, but there are other Christmas Ales I like much more.



Flavor Profile:

Sweet, Malty, Dry, or Bitter:  Bitter
Spice Level:  Low
Hops Level: Low
Dominant Flavors:  Roasted grain, hops

ABV: 7.4%
IBU:  22
My Rating: 6/10