Santa's Little Helper 2012 Tequila Barrel-Aged
Mikkeller ApS

 

Deep brown pour into a snifter, just less than an inch cocoa brown head that is kinda big-bubble bubbly and resides after about 5 minutes into a thin layer on top of an almost black sea of Belgium Strong Dark Ale. Exceptional lacing for this style. Chocalate nougat nose, like a 3 Musketkeer bar. No hint of tequila here for me. Very excited before tasting.

Delicious caramel Chocalate and some malts up front. I can taste the agave-ness of the barrels now and with it, a good strong heat. Personally, I love it when a BA let's you know that it was hanging out where some good spirits were. Not bothered by burn at all, if you are than I still believe the sweetness will carry it for you. The tequilla barrel really adds a subtle bitter edge to the chocolatey-coffee flavor making for a pretty unique taste experience. Mouthfeel is porter-like thick but some carbonation, enjoyable, but I would have even liked this thicker to match the alcohol a little better.

Had this in storage and broke it out after being disappointed by another beer, it saved my night :) I know the store I bought this at still had 2 more; if you are still able to find you must try. Especially if you are a BA beer fan.

As the standard Santa's Little Helper is always one of the most anticipated beers of the winter season, here comes a series of barrel aged varieties that entice and challenge the taste buds. Its standard sweet, strong, spicy and fruity flavor is fortified with porter and stout attributes.

Much like the standard offering, Tequila-barrel aged Santa's Little Helper kicks off with a dark brown hue in its appearance. The ale is easily mistaken for porter, especially once its slowly separation of froth extends from its dense body underneath beneath. Its porter-esque appearance is further propelled by its high retention and trailing, well-defined rings that denote each sip,. The ale is just as sturdy as the original.

Fruity-sweet aromas are lightly due to its dense foamy blanket which disallows it full aroma from rising from the nose. But a deeper sniff reveal similar toasty, chocolaty and coffee scents that invite the barrel-aged character of agave, oak, salt brine and lime. Other fruit scents of raisin, dates and fig seem to be soaked in rum as the first sip draws near.

Its taste is equally as complex as the taste of brown sugar, toffee and agave sugars play out on ad dry cocoa and coffee-like start. As the earthen sweetness rises, so does the honey and flowery agave flavor for a rise to the maltiness within. That's when its fruity middle palate pulls ahead and shares flavors of plumbs, blackberries, currant, cherry, dried apple, prickly pear and grape. Wrapping up with a notion of oaken tequila, the taste of both fruit cake and agave syrups are alive and well in the beer's finish

Full bodied from start to finish, the ale doesn't exactly spring off the palate like most Belgian ales do. Instead, its creamy carbonation keeps the taste savory, succulent and rich for full palate appreciation. Its deep bready-sweet textures temper its powerful alcohol spice for a balanced session and a deep coffee and agave linger.

This perfect Winter Warmer has taken on a hot weather face lift. Its new demeanor is brighter, saltier, and much more fruity, spicy and vegetative- and in the most playful way possible. This Tequila-Aged version is restrained and artistic in every way!