Special Holiday Ale
Stone Brewing

Special Holiday AleSpecial Holiday Ale
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From:
Stone Brewing
 
California, United States
Style:
Winter Warmer
ABV:
9%
Score:
88
Avg:
3.92 | pDev: 10.71%
Reviews:
292
Ratings:
324
Status:
Retired
Rated:
May 08, 2021
Added:
Nov 23, 2008
Wants:
  20
Gots:
  7
A collaboration ale between Jolly Pumpkin / Nøgne-Ø / Stone with chestnuts, juniper berry, white sage & caraway seed and 25% rye malt.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by Kegatron:
Photo of Kegatron
Reviewed by Kegatron from Pennsylvania

4.02/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
12 oz bottle into a chalice.

Pours a clear dark ruby, with a thin covering of off-white foamy head. Retains with a thin fizzy ring around the edge of the glass that actually leaves a robust enough looking cascade of froth behind that quickly slides down the sides of the glass. The aroma is rich with toasted spicy bread and sugars, and a deep fruitiness from the juniper berries. Lots of extra spice here as well, with the sage being especially identifiable. Some alcohol warmth helps hold it all together.

The taste is similar to the aroma, with a hearty mix of bread, darker fruits, and burnt sugars, which lends the flavor more of a dark roasty feel. Spices are just as strong here as well, mixing with the rye notes to give this quite the festive tangy feel in the mouth. I'm getting a fair amount of an almost earthy bitterness as well (possibly from the yeast), with hangs in the finish with extra spice and a steady roasty dryness. The mouthfeel is medium to fuller bodied, with a sharp creaminess to it that fills the mouth up but I'm very glad to say that the ABV is kept in check for the most part. Pretty much that same amount of light warmth that held things together in the aroma is present, and it works just as nicely here to help meld all of those flavors.

This could have easily become a case of too many cooks (and ingredients) ruining the dish but I'm happy to report that this wasn't the case here. Nice even mix of character is present, with sweetness, spice, yeast, bitterness, and alcohol all working together to make this quite a tasty and warming sipper.
Mar 15, 2010
More User Ratings:
Photo of Sigmund
Reviewed by Sigmund from Norway

4/5  rDev +2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
12 fl. oz. bottle, courtesy of Cardinal Pub & Bar, Stavanger. ABV is 9.0%. Bottle conditioned. Chestnut coloured beer, huge and creamy lasting tan head. Nice aroma of caramel, spices and dark fruits. Rich and full mouthfeel. The flavour is malty, rich and sweet, with loads of spices - but I’d have trouble identifying which ones, if I didn’t know. I would also have guessed that there was some aniseed or liquorice in there. There is a distinct hoppy bitterness and more spices in the finish. Interesting stuff!
May 08, 2021
 
Rated: 3.99 by WOLFGANG from South Carolina

Jan 15, 2018
Photo of strohme2
Reviewed by strohme2 from Michigan

3.88/5  rDev -1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Ruby brown pour with a few floaties. Decent light tan head. Smells like dates, dark fruits. Taste is really great. After the small initial oxidation, the rye and caraway spiciness comes through. Dates, prunes and raisins also. Slick and smooth mouthfeel, no alcohol burn. Medium dry finish. Makes me want another one to try in a couple of years.
Dec 11, 2016
 
Rated: 3.83 by iRun2Beer from Minnesota

Sep 02, 2015
 
Rated: 3.5 by drewone from California

Mar 24, 2015
 
Rated: 3.91 by wethorseblanket from California

Mar 24, 2015
 
Rated: 4 by mrebeka from Michigan

Dec 24, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by Hellpop65 from Kansas

Dec 01, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by olradetbalder from Sweden

Nov 21, 2014
 
Rated: 3.6 by JasonR1975 from Michigan

Oct 13, 2014
 
Rated: 4.25 by bobv from Vermont

Aug 14, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by zestar from California

Jul 19, 2014
 
Rated: 3 by Gonzoillini from Illinois

Feb 15, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by XmnwildX12 from Minnesota

Dec 13, 2013
 
Rated: 4 by Drknight from Virginia

Dec 04, 2013
 
Rated: 4 by GraduatedCashew from California

Oct 16, 2013
 
Rated: 3.5 by moonknight31 from California

Jul 24, 2013
Photo of jvillefan
Reviewed by jvillefan from California

4.55/5  rDev +16.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5
A: Deep amber/brown body with a off white lacy head.

S: There is a bitter bite in the beginning of the aroma. There is a deep caramel and sweet aroma.

T: A nice balance between the bitter hops (citrus and pine) and the malty notes. There is sweet caramel and toffee.

M: Perfect body and carbonation.

O: Great beer. It's a shame it's not going to be brewed again.
Mar 04, 2013
 
Rated: 2.5 by FalconA from Massachusetts

Jan 03, 2013
Special Holiday Ale from Stone Brewing
Beer rating: 88 out of 100 with 324 ratings