The First Elf Ate A Ginger Root And Got Hit In The Head By A Drive-By Fruit
Dark Horse Brewing Company

 

12 ounce bottle into tulip glass, bottled in 12/2018. Pours hazy nearly opaque dark brown/black color with a 1-2 finger fairly dense and rocky khaki head with great retention, that reduces to a small cap that lingers. Nice spotty soapy lacing clings on the glass, with a fair amount of streaming carbonation. Aromas of big ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, clove, allspice, peppercorn, orange, citrus peel/zest, caramel, brown sugar, brown bread/crust, and toasted biscuit; with lighter notes of molasses, licorice, chocolate, cocoa, raisin, plum, fig, date, herbal, floral, grass, and yeast/roast/toasted earthiness. Very nice aromas with good balance and complexity of dark/bready/light roasted malts, spices, light-moderate oranges/earthy hops, and light fruity yeast notes; with great strength. Taste of big ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, clove, allspice, peppercorn, orange, citrus peel/zest, caramel, brown sugar, brown bread/crust, and toasted biscuit; with lighter notes of molasses, licorice, chocolate, cocoa, raisin, plum, fig, date, herbal, floral, grass, and yeast/roast/toasted earthiness. Light-moderate herbal, floral, grassy, zesty, roasted bitterness; and peppery ginger spiciness on the finish. Lingering notes of ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, clove, allspice, peppercorn, orange, citrus peel/zest, caramel, brown sugar, brown bread/crust, toasted biscuit, molasses, licorice, dark fruit, chocolate, cocoa, herbal, floral, grass, and yeast/roast/toasted earthiness on the finish for a good bit. Very nice complexity, robustness, and balance of dark/bready/light roasted malts, spices, light-moderate oranges/earthy hops, and light fruity yeast flavors; with a great malt/bitter/spiciness balance, and no cloying/astringent flavors after the finish. Light-moderate increasing dryness from lingering bitter/spiciness. Medium carbonation and medium-full body; with a very smooth, moderately creamy/bready/grainy, fairly sticky, and lightly chalky mouthfeel that is great. Minimal warming alcohol for 8.75%. Mildly increasing ginger spice heat after the finish, but not overwhelming. Overall this is a delicious winter warmer. All around nice complexity, robustness, and balance of dark/bready/light roasted malts, spices, light-moderate oranges/earthy hops, and light fruity yeast flavors; very smooth and dangerously easy to drink for the ABV, with the mellowly bitter/spicy/drying finish. Not overwhelming on any aspect. Great balance of rich malts and spices; with balancing earthy hops against sweetness, and light fruity yeast presence. Very similar to the base beer with a way bigger punch of ginger/spice, and added orange flavors. Was expecting a bit more citrus. A very enjoyable offering, and well made style example as expected. Did not prefer over the base beer.