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Santa's Beered '10
Cisco Brewers Inc.
- From:
- Cisco Brewers Inc.
- Massachusetts, United States
- Style:
- Winter Warmer
- ABV:
- 9%
- Score:
- 82
- Avg:
- 3.56 | pDev: 14.61%
- Reviews:
- 17
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Retired
- Rated:
- Apr 19, 2016
- Added:
- Nov 24, 2010
- Wants:
- 2
- Gots:
- 1
"Spiced Imperial Red Ale" according to the brewer.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Reviewed by elNopalero from Michigan
4.37/5 rDev +22.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
4.37/5 rDev +22.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
One of the last treats I brought back from Boston, circa November 2011. There’s no dating on the bottle but I am posting this under the 2010 versus entering a new vintage year. So either this is a fresh (2011) bottle, or it’s been sitting out for the better part of a year.
Appears a dark caramel brown with a bit of foam sitting on top. Has a wonderfully big (dare-I-say) bouquet of cinnamon and nutmeg and holiday spices, but also wintergreen, menthol/spruce/evergreen and maybe juniper? It’s layered and leafy and wintery and that’s just how it smells!
The flavor is very complex and multi-leveled. There’s the cinnamon and pumpkin pie-spices (minus the pumpkin though) that hit initially with a sharp bite, then the woodsy/herb-y flavors come along and finally the juniper/spruce/wintergreen combination I was trying to place comes in for a dry finish. This is such an interesting, complex and rewarding brew. I can see how some might think the spice combination is too much but I love it. It’s heavily spiced, intensely so, but it works—and, I think this is key, it’s balanced and rounded. Not harsh, not off putting, but definitely big and bombastic. It’s strong, but there’s no hint of the alcohol—although I definitely felt it!
This is one I would love to revisit annually. Glad I picked this up. Reminds me of Anchor’s Our Special Ale in many ways, and every bit as delicious. This is going to be a tough one to follow.
Dec 11, 2011Appears a dark caramel brown with a bit of foam sitting on top. Has a wonderfully big (dare-I-say) bouquet of cinnamon and nutmeg and holiday spices, but also wintergreen, menthol/spruce/evergreen and maybe juniper? It’s layered and leafy and wintery and that’s just how it smells!
The flavor is very complex and multi-leveled. There’s the cinnamon and pumpkin pie-spices (minus the pumpkin though) that hit initially with a sharp bite, then the woodsy/herb-y flavors come along and finally the juniper/spruce/wintergreen combination I was trying to place comes in for a dry finish. This is such an interesting, complex and rewarding brew. I can see how some might think the spice combination is too much but I love it. It’s heavily spiced, intensely so, but it works—and, I think this is key, it’s balanced and rounded. Not harsh, not off putting, but definitely big and bombastic. It’s strong, but there’s no hint of the alcohol—although I definitely felt it!
This is one I would love to revisit annually. Glad I picked this up. Reminds me of Anchor’s Our Special Ale in many ways, and every bit as delicious. This is going to be a tough one to follow.
Reviewed by drabmuh from Maryland
3.5/5 rDev -1.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
3.5/5 rDev -1.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Bottled shared by Amyliz4 the other day at her Christmas party. Beer served in a tiny ticking snifter. Beer is dark copper, with a thin off white head, some lacing, low carbonation, mostly clear. Looks fine.
Aroma is spicy, piny, sappy, sweet, nutmeg, peppermint. Oh god.
Beer is medium to light in body and tastes like a pie exploded in my mouth. Cinnamon, (insert other holiday spices here), with a dry finish. Just never going to be a fan of these I fear.
Jul 19, 2011Aroma is spicy, piny, sappy, sweet, nutmeg, peppermint. Oh god.
Beer is medium to light in body and tastes like a pie exploded in my mouth. Cinnamon, (insert other holiday spices here), with a dry finish. Just never going to be a fan of these I fear.
Reviewed by Thorpe429 from Illinois
3.5/5 rDev -1.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
3.5/5 rDev -1.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Bottle courtesy of Drew around Christmas 2010. Saved for our Christmas in July party. Served in a SAVOR snifter.
Pours a very dark copper-bronze color with a short off-white head and some light lacing on the way down. The nose brings some nutmeg and light clove with a touch of cinnamon. The flavor is pretty well-integrated, combining the spices and some bready malt quite well. Light malt and a slight dryness to it. Pretty good winter warmer.
Jul 19, 2011Pours a very dark copper-bronze color with a short off-white head and some light lacing on the way down. The nose brings some nutmeg and light clove with a touch of cinnamon. The flavor is pretty well-integrated, combining the spices and some bready malt quite well. Light malt and a slight dryness to it. Pretty good winter warmer.
Reviewed by TheManiacalOne from Rhode Island
3.33/5 rDev -6.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
3.33/5 rDev -6.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Poured from a 22oz bottle into a mug glass.
A: The beer is a deep reddish brown color, with a short off-white head that fades slowly and leaves a thick lace on the glass.
S: The aroma contains caramelized malts, spices, some fruit and a decent amount of hops.
T: The taste starts out with a strong herbal spice flavor of juniper and clove that dominates. There are some background flavors of caramel, dark fruit and citrus. The malt character is hearty and the hops presence is decent for the style but neither tempers the spices enough to create a good balance. The after-taste is spicy and sweet.
M: Crisp and smooth, medium body, medium carbonation, finish is dry and slightly sticky.
D: A little tasty, goes down ok, not too filling, strong kick, good representation of style, the spice flavor is a little too strong for my taste but overall it's a decent beer to drink for a while if you like that flavor.
Mar 15, 2011A: The beer is a deep reddish brown color, with a short off-white head that fades slowly and leaves a thick lace on the glass.
S: The aroma contains caramelized malts, spices, some fruit and a decent amount of hops.
T: The taste starts out with a strong herbal spice flavor of juniper and clove that dominates. There are some background flavors of caramel, dark fruit and citrus. The malt character is hearty and the hops presence is decent for the style but neither tempers the spices enough to create a good balance. The after-taste is spicy and sweet.
M: Crisp and smooth, medium body, medium carbonation, finish is dry and slightly sticky.
D: A little tasty, goes down ok, not too filling, strong kick, good representation of style, the spice flavor is a little too strong for my taste but overall it's a decent beer to drink for a while if you like that flavor.
Reviewed by bum732 from Lesotho
3.48/5 rDev -2.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3
3.48/5 rDev -2.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3
S: Bitter citrus fruits, cranberries, earthy and cinnamon.
L: Clear crimson red, light tan head that dissipates quickly.
T: Bitter malt with backbone of citrus and herbal notes. Light caramel sweetness with good amount of citrus fruits. Medium-low bitterness leads to a dry minerally finish.
M: Medium carbonation, medium bodied.
Not bad, quite bitter for a "winter warmer". Probably wouldn't try again.
Feb 15, 2011L: Clear crimson red, light tan head that dissipates quickly.
T: Bitter malt with backbone of citrus and herbal notes. Light caramel sweetness with good amount of citrus fruits. Medium-low bitterness leads to a dry minerally finish.
M: Medium carbonation, medium bodied.
Not bad, quite bitter for a "winter warmer". Probably wouldn't try again.
Reviewed by bruachan from Massachusetts
4.18/5 rDev +17.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
4.18/5 rDev +17.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
not much head here. oh well, the liquid is a very nice gernet hue. purdy
butterscotch and nutmeg and Pac NW hops are what i smell out of the gate
ooh...not so butterscotchy tasting, but welcomingly sweet and dry at the finish with nutty roasting. not bitter. lemon, woody, piney
Feb 13, 2011butterscotch and nutmeg and Pac NW hops are what i smell out of the gate
ooh...not so butterscotchy tasting, but welcomingly sweet and dry at the finish with nutty roasting. not bitter. lemon, woody, piney
Reviewed by Damian from Massachusetts
4.05/5 rDev +13.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 5
4.05/5 rDev +13.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 5
Dank on-tap at Big City, Allston, MA
Served in a mug
A thin, resilient film of khaki colored froth topped the deep mahogany liquid.
The nose was very subtle initially. A bit malty and spicy. As the beer warmed, the aroma really came out. Strong spice notes (coriander, clove, ginger and allspice) were present.
Intense spice notes came through in the flavor profile as well. Ginger was quite apparent. Robust coriander, allspice, nutmeg and cinnamon notes rounded things out. Rich and malty up front. Fruity and somewhat sweet in the center. The finish was crisp and dry with a spicy, piney, resonating hoppiness.
The mouthfeel was medium bodied. Smooth and creamy with a fine, mild effervescence.
Drinkability was definitely a strong point of this beer. The 9% ABV was remarkably well buried. I had no clue this was so strong, but I definitely felt its effects by the drink's end.
I really like spicy and rich winter warmers and Santa's Beered hit the spot on this cold winter evening. Give this a shot and I am certain you will not be disappointed either.
Jan 22, 2011Served in a mug
A thin, resilient film of khaki colored froth topped the deep mahogany liquid.
The nose was very subtle initially. A bit malty and spicy. As the beer warmed, the aroma really came out. Strong spice notes (coriander, clove, ginger and allspice) were present.
Intense spice notes came through in the flavor profile as well. Ginger was quite apparent. Robust coriander, allspice, nutmeg and cinnamon notes rounded things out. Rich and malty up front. Fruity and somewhat sweet in the center. The finish was crisp and dry with a spicy, piney, resonating hoppiness.
The mouthfeel was medium bodied. Smooth and creamy with a fine, mild effervescence.
Drinkability was definitely a strong point of this beer. The 9% ABV was remarkably well buried. I had no clue this was so strong, but I definitely felt its effects by the drink's end.
I really like spicy and rich winter warmers and Santa's Beered hit the spot on this cold winter evening. Give this a shot and I am certain you will not be disappointed either.
Reviewed by BennyL1 from Massachusetts
3.67/5 rDev +3.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
3.67/5 rDev +3.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Santa's Beered, brewed with holiday spices such as nutmeg, cinnamon, and love.
A - Pours a deep chestnut color with a small tan head. Spotty lacing left along the glass
S - Nose is dominated by caramel malts and spices like cinnamon and ginger. Slight pine aroma as well.
T - Loads of malt up front. The cinnamon adds a nice touch to round out the flavor. A bit of brown sugar is present as well and there is a slight bitterness from the hops. A slight touch of alcohol is also there.
M - Body is a bit on the thin side. Adequate carbonation but I expected a bit more fuller body.
D - Good, but one bomber is enough for me.
Jan 12, 2011A - Pours a deep chestnut color with a small tan head. Spotty lacing left along the glass
S - Nose is dominated by caramel malts and spices like cinnamon and ginger. Slight pine aroma as well.
T - Loads of malt up front. The cinnamon adds a nice touch to round out the flavor. A bit of brown sugar is present as well and there is a slight bitterness from the hops. A slight touch of alcohol is also there.
M - Body is a bit on the thin side. Adequate carbonation but I expected a bit more fuller body.
D - Good, but one bomber is enough for me.
Reviewed by ShogoKawada from Pennsylvania
3.78/5 rDev +6.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4
3.78/5 rDev +6.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4
22oz into tulip. Love the label art on this one.
A- Nice caramel brown with a lively head. settles and laces nicely. Not much left once it settles.
S- Holiday spice. Pine.
T- nutmeg, cinnamon, some dark fruit and pretty nice malty brown sugar molasses. A mix of winter spices. Earthy bitterness.
M- A bit thin... ABV is a bit noticeable.
D- Moderate. Good winter warmer. Perfect for a cold night.
Jan 11, 2011A- Nice caramel brown with a lively head. settles and laces nicely. Not much left once it settles.
S- Holiday spice. Pine.
T- nutmeg, cinnamon, some dark fruit and pretty nice malty brown sugar molasses. A mix of winter spices. Earthy bitterness.
M- A bit thin... ABV is a bit noticeable.
D- Moderate. Good winter warmer. Perfect for a cold night.
Reviewed by MbpBugeye from Ohio
3.3/5 rDev -7.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
3.3/5 rDev -7.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Thanks to ShogoKawada for this bottle. Ive never had anything by Cisco before.
A- A really nice looking beer. Spotty lacing is the result of a sandy head. It floats atop a chestnut colored beer of nice clarity.
S- This certainly smells like the kind of beer that Im in the mood for right now. Lots of wintry spices, namely cinnamon and nutmeg. Gingerbread and peppermint paint a holiday picture in my head. Deep down beneath the spices is a piney hoppiness which works well with the holiday spices. An overall earthy spiciness is what this beer is about.
T- Nutmeg seems to dominate with trailing cinnamon spices. The flavor is less full that the nose leads on. The spices allow some hops to come through and provide some pine. The base beer has a little bit of chocolate that hits the peripheries.
M- Carbonation starts high but falls into place. The beer is very dry with a long lingering spiciness. The body is mighty thin. I really want a fuller bodied beer for a winter night sipper.
Jan 04, 2011A- A really nice looking beer. Spotty lacing is the result of a sandy head. It floats atop a chestnut colored beer of nice clarity.
S- This certainly smells like the kind of beer that Im in the mood for right now. Lots of wintry spices, namely cinnamon and nutmeg. Gingerbread and peppermint paint a holiday picture in my head. Deep down beneath the spices is a piney hoppiness which works well with the holiday spices. An overall earthy spiciness is what this beer is about.
T- Nutmeg seems to dominate with trailing cinnamon spices. The flavor is less full that the nose leads on. The spices allow some hops to come through and provide some pine. The base beer has a little bit of chocolate that hits the peripheries.
M- Carbonation starts high but falls into place. The beer is very dry with a long lingering spiciness. The body is mighty thin. I really want a fuller bodied beer for a winter night sipper.
Santa's Beered '10 from Cisco Brewers Inc.
Beer rating:
82 out of
100 with
27 ratings
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