"12 Dogs Of Christmas Ale"
Thirsty Dog Brewing Company
Winter Warmer/8.30% ABV
6 Pack Bottles = $10.99
= $1.83 Ea.
Date Of Review = 12-5-09
From the Thirsty Dog Brewery website:
Spiced for the holidays with honey, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and Santa's secret recipe.
Easily my favorite "Christmas Ale" style of beer, and in my opinion, a tad better than the local favorite, Great Lakes Christmas Ale. This Akron, Ohio based brew pours a simply gorgeous thick red into the glass, and the smells of clove, cinnamon, etc. are surely present but not overpowering by any means. Compared to Great Lakes Christmas Ale which I find to be a bit too much in the hops department, this one is smooth and rich all the way down. The term "liquid candy" definitely comes to mind! With an alcohol percentage of 8.3% I have found that 3 is the max to drink to really appreciate the beer, any more than that would be just a bit much. Best drank at, as the label suggests, slightly chillier than room temperature to truly appreciate all the flavors, which do just not develop when the beer is cold. Be careful though, despite the high alcohol this baby is smooth as can be, and could easily catch up to you if you are not careful. Very drinkable and flavorful...a traditional and personal favorite. Paired this beer on a cold and wintry Ohio evening with a Mayorga Gordito Maduro...a cigar that paired quite well with the beer. Overall an excellent beer, and one you can't go wrong with on a cold and snowy evening.
