Santa’s Hoppy Helpers
Mikkeller ApS

Looks can be deceiving: this is framed as a christmas beer, the name gives it away. Had this fresh on tap at the Mikkeler bar at Copenhagen airport. When they serve it your first impression is: yes, it‘s a holiday beer, it‘s probably sweet, maybe even syrupy. The smell is then actually very lauf back, not sweet, not very aromatic in general. Then the taste - boom, Santa‘s elves got into his hop cabinet and came up with a very robust, herbal IPA. The holiday cheer stems from pine cone aromas and a very small amount of dried fruits. Superbly done, because it‘s…. different.

Copenhagen 7/12 2020. 33 cl can from Føtex, Vibenhus Runddel, Kbh. Ø. Green can with miniatures of Santa and a horde of Christmas Elves holding Hop cones.

Pours slightly unclear amber with a mid-sized white head. Settles as 1 cm thick layer of foam covering the surface of the beer. Settles as thin, powdery layer of foam struggling to cover the surface of the beer.

Aroma is moderately intense with a sweet malty odor mingling with light citric notes. Caramel, toffee. Bread. Citrus and lemon peeking in.

Light carbonation. Slightly thick, oily, lightly tingling texture.

Flavor is medium intense with a medium strong sweetness followed by a stronger bitterness. Aftertaste is citric and bitter with a sweet, caramel undertone. Lingers for a bit. Semi-dry finish.

The nose is bit weak but with a fine redeeming bitterness in there flavor. So all the Hop cones is put to some use in the end.

Drank on the 31st of August, from tap, at Mikkeller Madrid. Poured into a stemless glass.