Santa's Session
Goose Island Beer Co.

 

 

a real fine winter warmer here, the kind i like to drink, with a nice copper and caramel malt base, some honey sweetness, and a pleasant but not overpowering holiday spice complexion in a beer with a little less booze to it than some of its peers, but a similar heartiness. its clear and heady, looks nice in the glass, glowing and tempting, seasonally just right. it smells and tastes like sweet fresh grain, medium crystal malt, and honey. spices include allspice and maybe anise, bot both are subtle enough to be accents, not main ingredients. the alcohol in this beer is well hidden too, not like others in its class, and frankly i dont miss the exposed alcohol, its not necessary. session is a funny word for something over 7% abv though, but i suppose its session ale for santa himself. i was impressed with goose island and all the cool beers they make that never leave the brewery for distribution, they still do a whole lot of cool stuff, and this has to be near the top of the list.