North Peak Blitzen Festivus Ale (6/10)

North Peak Brewing Company of Traverse City, Michigan, produces this winter warmer style beer.  It’s brewed with several kinds of malts and hops. 

It pours a clear dark brown, looking much like a cola. 

The aroma contains coffee and mild hops.

The flavor follows the aroma, also consisting of coffee and hops, and ending with a dark roasted grain bitterness. There’s not much of the spice or fruit flavoring you might expect from a holiday ale, and the usual sweetness of the winter warmer style is more than offset by the hops load in this  one.

Beer Advocate rates it 81/100 or “good” with 27 ratings.  Rate Beer gives it a 71 overall.   I give it only a 6 overall, as I think the beer is too bitter for the style.

I tried this beer on draft at The Daily Growler, but the bottled version should be available from local retailers (though I’ve not seen it yet).



Flavor Profile:
Sweet, Malty, Dry, or Bitter: Bitter and slightly dry
Spice Level:  Minimal
Hops Level:  Medium
Dominant Flavors:  Coffee and hops bitterness
ABV: 6.8%
IBU: 55
My Rating: 6/10