Wolf Creek Winter
San Luis Valley Brewing Company

 

i should start by saying i am a sucker for spruce beer, and pretty much buy them every time i see them. this is an interesting one, cool waxed bottle from these guys, the first of their packaged stuff i have seen. muddy red rusty amber colored brew, looks thick for its strength, and has a patchy off white head rocking. almost no aroma at all, certainly no spruce, maybe a little malty sweetness, a hint of oxidation, but nothing really happening here at all. i was amazed when i took the first sip how flavorful and dynamic it is, i mean, the dichotomy between the blandness of the aroma and the boldness of the flavor is like i have never seen in a beer. the spruce is big and fresh and pine sappy, really works well with the malt base. i feel like spruce is always in pales and india pales, so its cool to see it in this honey sweet red malty context. its a great winter beer, without spices. the spruce is great, tea-like at times, with some bitterness where hops might normally show up. full bodied feel, creamy, rustic, hearty, perfect for the season. hands down the best beer i have had from these guys.