12 Beers of Christmas 2013 Edition! (Need Brewers!)

[bredle]

This is a great forum to read, well done! I'm hoping you guys get the last beer your waiting on!

 

[FermentedTed]

It's slightly under carbonated. A touch more carbonation could help the head after pouring and the retention. The beer could be more clear perhaps with irish moss or filtering. Those were the only flaws I found.

Thanks for the feedback. Still kicking myself for bottling this when I did... one more week on the gas would have made a big difference.

 

[jgourd]

Any others care to post comments or tasting notes?

 

[FermentedTed]

Okay I heard from our Crabapple Lambicky brewer today. Here's what he said:



So looks like they will be late, but they will be sent.

Did we ever hear again from this guy?

 

[NuclearRich]

Seriously... Late? its almost APRIL

 

[danbrewtan]

Yeah, I hope nobody is holding their breath to get these brews. I'll post something on the front to make sure he doesn't enter any exchanges in the future...


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[stblindtiger]

I left a negative feedback on his profile. He's probably not even using it anymore but what else can you do?

 

[biochemedic]

Yeah, I hope nobody is holding their breath to get these brews. I'll post something on the front to make sure he doesn't enter any exchanges in the future...

Seems like there's one every year....

 

[SavoryChef]

Should probably do a 100 post minimum and be a supporting member for the next one. kinda like in the swaps and maw/emaw

 

[NuclearRich]

Anyone up for running a 2014 thread? I dont know if I have that level of dedication lol, but I look forward to another round. It started last year around this time!

 

[biochemedic]

I thought last year had a pretty late start, but it worked out OK, I guess. Personally, I wouldn't be up for it this year either, but I'm thinking 2015 looks promising!

 

[grathan]

I am surprised that you seem to be the only person to do it more than once. I could join, but couldn't run it, (on vacation for a few weeks).

 

[Shuznuts]

If this is a go, I'm in! Definitely not the one to organize it, but an earnest participator, yes!!


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[danbrewtan]

Trying some of these christmas beers. Yes, I've left them in a dark closet all of this time. I grabbed a random one and ended up with the Spiced Cherry Dubbel:

AROMA - 9
Medium toasty maltiness, strong tart cherry funk, nutmeg, cinnamon, black liquorish, no hop aroma

APPEARANCE - 3
Deep ruby red, very little head, light brown ring stays around glass, brilliant clarity

FLAVOR - 13
light alcohol, upfront cherry tart, clean, light toasty malt, no hop bitterness, the cherry flavor overwhelms the typical dubbel flavors I’m searching for. Low levels of winter spices, nutmeg, cinnamon, star anise

MOUTHFEEL - 4
Hefty drying tartness, very drinkable, moderate alcoholic warmth, moderate carbonation, medium bodied

OVERALL - 8
The cherry flavor is upfront and center. The spices were evident in the aroma, and present in the flavor. The malt flavors and fruity esters of a dubbel are hard to find with the strong cherry presence. Overall, I really enjoyed it and it is clearly a well-made beer. I can tell the fermentation was at a proper temperature, the alcoholic warmth is there and is pleasant and the beer is exceptionally clean. I think the cherry flavor could be cut back a bit to allow the other flavors, notably the malts, to come through.

TOTAL: 37

 

[Atrudkin24]

How can we get this up and going for this year? I know it's probably too late..

 

[biochemedic]

"It's too late" came at least a month ago...
But I'm already planning on trying to get this up and running next year, unless someone else steps up before me...

 

[Atrudkin24]

Sounds good!

 

[CarbonTom]

Count me in for next year for sure! Now if only I will be able to remember this next august

 

[NuclearRich]

Yeah I tried to get this up and running this year without volunteering myself to run the show. That was a few months ago, and there were crickets. Next year for sure!

 

[gavball6]

Trying some of these christmas beers. Yes, I've left them in a dark closet all of this time. I grabbed a random one and ended up with the Spiced Cherry Dubbel:

AROMA - 9
Medium toasty maltiness, strong tart cherry funk, nutmeg, cinnamon, black liquorish, no hop aroma

APPEARANCE - 3
Deep ruby red, very little head, light brown ring stays around glass, brilliant clarity

FLAVOR - 13
light alcohol, upfront cherry tart, clean, light toasty malt, no hop bitterness, the cherry flavor overwhelms the typical dubbel flavors I’m searching for. Low levels of winter spices, nutmeg, cinnamon, star anise

MOUTHFEEL - 4
Hefty drying tartness, very drinkable, moderate alcoholic warmth, moderate carbonation, medium bodied

OVERALL - 8
The cherry flavor is upfront and center. The spices were evident in the aroma, and present in the flavor. The malt flavors and fruity esters of a dubbel are hard to find with the strong cherry presence. Overall, I really enjoyed it and it is clearly a well-made beer. I can tell the fermentation was at a proper temperature, the alcoholic warmth is there and is pleasant and the beer is exceptionally clean. I think the cherry flavor could be cut back a bit to allow the other flavors, notably the malts, to come through.

TOTAL: 37

Thanks for the notes! I definitely overdid the cherry... I was hoping it might mellow out a bit, but it sounds like it still packs a punch.

I think I saved at least one of everyone's beers last year, so I am looking forward to seeing how they have aged over the next few months!

 

[jgourd]

I recently sampled one of my Fruitcake Old Ales. I still have probably 20 bottles left (I originally brewed a 10 gal batch). They have aged nicely! Smooth and well balanced.

 

[NuclearRich]

I sampled the fruitcake ale last night! Also the juniper berry stout and the gingerbread ale. The juniper berry stout actually had a much stronger coriander than I remembered. Sampling 3 more tonight! (I saved one of each)

 

[NuclearRich]

I'm drinking the abbey weizen right now. Some of the old beers didn't hold upnwell, but I remember loving this and I still think it's great!