Santa's Private Reserve (2020)
Rogue Ales

 

 

 

Obscene pistachio-pudding-colored bomber purchased at Costco, poured into a pint nonic. The dark pour yields a large dark khaki head that sticks around: the nose leads with that peppermint/mint oil character and some roast and milk chocolate and a faint impression of lactose, and the palate doesn’t really build on that. With a medium mouthfeel and some notes of sticky viscosity, it isn’t altogether a unique or special brew, but it isn’t bad for what it is: a peppermint milk stout.

Pours an effervescent hazel tinged mahogany with a finger of rapidly falling tan colored head. Some head retention

S: Peppermint up front, not much as it warms, builds as it warms

T: Peppermint bark, some cocoa, a little vanilla & sassparilla & a little dryness up front. More peppermint bark & a little dryness & sassparilla as this warms. Finishes dry with a little vanilla & plenty of peppermint

MF: A little thin for the style & ABV, restrained carbonation

Nice flavor, but fall short in all other areas, except the nose & even it showed up late . More chocolate flavor & body would help, very mint centered

 

750 mL fully painted & printed bottle poured into a snifter at just above fridge temp 8.3% ABV 26 IBU 163 SRM per label. The beer pours dense black with just the slightest brown highlight at the edge when held to light. The head is medium brown in color and recedes to a thin ring and single layer of tiny bubbles. No lacing. The aroma is mild with sweet peppermint and malted milk. The taste is semisweet peppermint bark (the kind where mom smashed candy canes and mixed them with white chocolate) up front and it really carries through. There's a little roasty malt on the finish and minimal bitterness. The mouthfeel is medium plus bodied with average carbonation and a mostly dry finish. Sweetness is subdued and nicely balanced. No noticeable alcohol in the aroma or taste. Overall, good beer and very nice holiday beverage. Lacks a bit of actual milk stout character, but I'll allow it given the target here.

 

 

they turned this private reserve thing into a peppermint bark stout this year, an odd evolution from the strong ales i recall from years past, but its a neat idea and relatively well executed i suppose. i love the packaging too, really unique and catchy. the beer is very sweet, and might benefit from not having lactose, if they were to do this again. its deep brown in color and not overly dark or viscous for its strength, but it doesnt drink as light as it looks either. a short tan head is more fizz than froth, and doesnt really last on it. the nose is more candied mint than a genuine herbal thing, in line with the peppermint bark it is modeled on, but definitely sweet to my senses. lots of chocolate character here too, both sweet and dark, more prominent than even the roast in the grain. some depth to the flavor here, the mint drives it, but i get a sweet floral element, rich milk chocolate and the lactose together, a slightly bready yeast element, and a ton of residual sugar with a slight molasses hint to it, warming alcohol with the mint candy on the finish too, very much a hot cocoa with peppermint schnapps thing going on, which i actually had just prior to opening this bottle, and the similarities are striking. i like it being as well carbonated as it is, but this still kind of sticks to the tongue and the corners of the mouth and really is a bottle i was thankful to be sharing. its a bit over flavored for my tastes, but is certainly distinct, festive, and a fun little something different for this time of year. some toothpaste or mouthwash to it, but enough chocolate that it can be overlooked with minimal effort. im not in a hurry to drink this again, but i didnt hate it either...