Frosted Frog Christmas Ale | Hoppin' Frog Brewery
Brewed by:
Hoppin' Frog Brewery
Ohio, United States
hoppinfrog.com
Style: Winter Warmer
Alcohol by volume (ABV): 8.60%
Availability: Winter
Notes / Commercial Description:
No notes at this time.
Added by paco1029384756 on 11-16-2009
View: Beers | Place Reviews | Events
Reviews: 142 | Ratings: 401
4.31/5 rDev +15.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
22 ounce bottle served in pint glass.
Pours a nice caramel color with a 1 finger tan head.
Smells malty and of Christmas spices.
Taste pretty good. Heavy on spices. Kind of taste like a snicker doodle.
Not bad but at $8.99 for a 22 ounce :(
★ 244 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
22 ounce bottle served in pint glass.
Pours a nice caramel color with a 1 finger tan head.
Smells malty and of Christmas spices.
Taste pretty good. Heavy on spices. Kind of taste like a snicker doodle.
Not bad but at $8.99 for a 22 ounce :(
★ 244 characters
4.4/5 rDev +18.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
If you are not into spiced beers, stop reading now. This Is not the beer for you. If, however, you enjoy a nicely sweet holiday ale with a high enough ABV to warm you on a cold night, this is a good one. I poured this into a standard pint glass. The fizzy beige head dissipated quickly, leaving a trace of foam atop the dark reddish brown body. Cinnamon and ginger dominated the taste, leaving a very pleasant sweetness behind. It had a rich, semi-thick mouthfeel. This functions nicely as a dessert beer, or as an evening sipper. I'm planning on picking up a couple more of these.
★ 581 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
If you are not into spiced beers, stop reading now. This Is not the beer for you. If, however, you enjoy a nicely sweet holiday ale with a high enough ABV to warm you on a cold night, this is a good one. I poured this into a standard pint glass. The fizzy beige head dissipated quickly, leaving a trace of foam atop the dark reddish brown body. Cinnamon and ginger dominated the taste, leaving a very pleasant sweetness behind. It had a rich, semi-thick mouthfeel. This functions nicely as a dessert beer, or as an evening sipper. I'm planning on picking up a couple more of these.
★ 581 characters
3.37/5 rDev -9.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25
Undated bottle at 50 degrees into Imperial pint glass
Aroma of spices, nutmeg predominating
Head small (<2 cm, aggressive pour), off white, fizzy, gone in 60 seconds, partial ring and partial layer left
Lacing none
Body dark red-amber, clear
Flavor – starts sweet with cinnamon predominates with some ginger following; no hops, no malt, no alcohol, no diacetyl
Palate medium, almost syrupy, soft carbonation
Appearance 3, Aroma 3.5, Flavor 3.5, Palate 3, Overall 3.25
★ 470 characters
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25
Undated bottle at 50 degrees into Imperial pint glass
Aroma of spices, nutmeg predominating
Head small (<2 cm, aggressive pour), off white, fizzy, gone in 60 seconds, partial ring and partial layer left
Lacing none
Body dark red-amber, clear
Flavor – starts sweet with cinnamon predominates with some ginger following; no hops, no malt, no alcohol, no diacetyl
Palate medium, almost syrupy, soft carbonation
Appearance 3, Aroma 3.5, Flavor 3.5, Palate 3, Overall 3.25
★ 470 characters
3.5/5 rDev -5.9%
Very deep red color without any transparency. Smell is of a strong cinnamon with a sweetness to it. Upfront taste is cinnamon with an aftertaste of slight Apple mixed in. The smell makes it seem as if it'd be overpowering but it is balanced nicely. Not normally my type of beer but definitely enjoyable.
★ 303 characters
Very deep red color without any transparency. Smell is of a strong cinnamon with a sweetness to it. Upfront taste is cinnamon with an aftertaste of slight Apple mixed in. The smell makes it seem as if it'd be overpowering but it is balanced nicely. Not normally my type of beer but definitely enjoyable.
★ 303 characters
4.5/5 rDev +21%
This is normally NOT my kind of beer. I don't like gingerbread cookies or cinnamon in my beer...but this was just the right amount of both. It was fantastic, and I would gladly order it again!
★ 192 characters
This is normally NOT my kind of beer. I don't like gingerbread cookies or cinnamon in my beer...but this was just the right amount of both. It was fantastic, and I would gladly order it again!
★ 192 characters
3.59/5 rDev -3.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
Pours a dark red with a thin off white head, actually very Holiday. Aroma is sweet cinnamon, nutmeg, reminds me of a sweet spiced Christmas fruit cake. Taste same as aroma with some mild hops bitterness. Palate is a medium body with good carbonation. Finishes with sweet cinnamon, nutmeg, sweet spices of fruit cake, and maybe some brown sugar and a bit of nutty flavor on the end as it warms up. Overall fairly good drink
★ 422 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
Pours a dark red with a thin off white head, actually very Holiday. Aroma is sweet cinnamon, nutmeg, reminds me of a sweet spiced Christmas fruit cake. Taste same as aroma with some mild hops bitterness. Palate is a medium body with good carbonation. Finishes with sweet cinnamon, nutmeg, sweet spices of fruit cake, and maybe some brown sugar and a bit of nutty flavor on the end as it warms up. Overall fairly good drink
★ 422 characters
2.59/5 rDev -30.4%
look: 3 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 2.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.75
I am not a fan of any spiced beer no matter the occasion and sadly this beer falls dead square in that category. The immediate aftertaste is a mouthful of cinnamon that masks everything else. Its a gimmicky beer and that's just not for me. There are any number of other REALLY good beers on tap at Hoppin Frog that deserve your attention. This is not one of them.
★ 363 characters
look: 3 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 2.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.75
I am not a fan of any spiced beer no matter the occasion and sadly this beer falls dead square in that category. The immediate aftertaste is a mouthful of cinnamon that masks everything else. Its a gimmicky beer and that's just not for me. There are any number of other REALLY good beers on tap at Hoppin Frog that deserve your attention. This is not one of them.
★ 363 characters
4.15/5 rDev +11.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
i am usually one to drink very seasonally. i try to at least, makes me feel more in tune with my surroundings and with nature and generally keeps me on an even keel. drinking a strong christmas ale in late june is not something that usually happens, but a friend broke out this bottle with a little age on it, and wow, if ever there is a holiday ale versatile enough to work in hot summer weather, its this one. so much fresh ginger on the nose and late palate, that even the cinnamon and honey spice and sweet complex on it doesnt interfere, weigh it down, or make it only worth drinking when the snow flies. i found it almost refreshing, and through its clear amber body, i was amazed how much and how vibrantly the ginger came through. first class all the way, with just enough spicing to make me look forward to the holidays without making me overlook the present. carbonation is really aggressive, and the alcohol is well hidden. time has done this well no doubt, its so smoothed out texture wise as well, its just plush and round and surprisingly not real sweet. almost reminds me of the tropics in this weather, and i have to say, i was shocked how much i really got off on this, given the season. as good as any beer from hoppin frog, i hope to be able to procure some more of this around holiday time. the ginger makes it like not other beer for that season, at least not this pleasantly. awesome drink.
★ 1,412 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
i am usually one to drink very seasonally. i try to at least, makes me feel more in tune with my surroundings and with nature and generally keeps me on an even keel. drinking a strong christmas ale in late june is not something that usually happens, but a friend broke out this bottle with a little age on it, and wow, if ever there is a holiday ale versatile enough to work in hot summer weather, its this one. so much fresh ginger on the nose and late palate, that even the cinnamon and honey spice and sweet complex on it doesnt interfere, weigh it down, or make it only worth drinking when the snow flies. i found it almost refreshing, and through its clear amber body, i was amazed how much and how vibrantly the ginger came through. first class all the way, with just enough spicing to make me look forward to the holidays without making me overlook the present. carbonation is really aggressive, and the alcohol is well hidden. time has done this well no doubt, its so smoothed out texture wise as well, its just plush and round and surprisingly not real sweet. almost reminds me of the tropics in this weather, and i have to say, i was shocked how much i really got off on this, given the season. as good as any beer from hoppin frog, i hope to be able to procure some more of this around holiday time. the ginger makes it like not other beer for that season, at least not this pleasantly. awesome drink.
★ 1,412 characters
4.34/5 rDev +16.7%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Hoppin Frog Frosted Frog is a winter warmer with a 8.6% ABV~ Pours a deep Mahogany red with a Khaki cream head~ Feel is med/Heavy with a with low carb and heavy malt and spice presence~ Nose is absolutely delicious~ Spot on replica of baking cinnamon rolls, followed by Ginger, Malt, Sugar and Honey~Taste is a Cinnamon
★ 319 characters
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Hoppin Frog Frosted Frog is a winter warmer with a 8.6% ABV~ Pours a deep Mahogany red with a Khaki cream head~ Feel is med/Heavy with a with low carb and heavy malt and spice presence~ Nose is absolutely delicious~ Spot on replica of baking cinnamon rolls, followed by Ginger, Malt, Sugar and Honey~Taste is a Cinnamon
★ 319 characters
4.09/5 rDev +9.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
A: Dark hazelnut / unfiltered apple cider in color with haziness and amber at the edges. VIsible carbonation at the center of my Goose Island tulip.
S: Aroma of nutmeg, cinnamon, sweet molasses and raisins.
T: Sweet and gingerbread like at first with raisin and fig flavors very forward. Later on the ginger makes its presence felt. A dark brown bread flavor mixing with nutmeg and cinnamon smacks. Dry ripened fig flavors also very prominent.
M: Thick and cider like in thickness, I would likely consider this to a cold spiced applecider. Extremely close in a lot of the flavors and the color is spot on. Medium to light carbonation, I have drank enough cider to say that when it gets fermenting, this hits the mouthfeel dead on once it gets that boozy fermented spike to it!
O: Overall, I was seeking this out a few years ago in a trade, but glad to have finally tried it and without involving any shipping. I would drink this again.
★ 941 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
A: Dark hazelnut / unfiltered apple cider in color with haziness and amber at the edges. VIsible carbonation at the center of my Goose Island tulip.
S: Aroma of nutmeg, cinnamon, sweet molasses and raisins.
T: Sweet and gingerbread like at first with raisin and fig flavors very forward. Later on the ginger makes its presence felt. A dark brown bread flavor mixing with nutmeg and cinnamon smacks. Dry ripened fig flavors also very prominent.
M: Thick and cider like in thickness, I would likely consider this to a cold spiced applecider. Extremely close in a lot of the flavors and the color is spot on. Medium to light carbonation, I have drank enough cider to say that when it gets fermenting, this hits the mouthfeel dead on once it gets that boozy fermented spike to it!
O: Overall, I was seeking this out a few years ago in a trade, but glad to have finally tried it and without involving any shipping. I would drink this again.
★ 941 characters
3.43/5 rDev -7.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.25
a - poured a one finger thick tan head into a snifter that disappeared before i could even say hey to it. the body was a clear mahogany.
s - sweet with some spices.
t - caramel, toffee, hint of toast with cinnamon and allspice.
m - medium and slick.
o - disappointing beer that didn't have a lot going on. kind of boring.
★ 321 characters
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.25
a - poured a one finger thick tan head into a snifter that disappeared before i could even say hey to it. the body was a clear mahogany.
s - sweet with some spices.
t - caramel, toffee, hint of toast with cinnamon and allspice.
m - medium and slick.
o - disappointing beer that didn't have a lot going on. kind of boring.
★ 321 characters
3.89/5 rDev +4.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
A: The beer is crystal clear dark garnet red in color and has a light amount of visible carbonation. It poured with a short off white head that rapidly dissipated leaving a thin collar consisting of large bubbles around the edge of the glass.
S: Moderately strong aromas of holiday spices are present in the nose—nutmeg seems to stand out most prominently followed by notes of ginger. As the beer warms up, the smell seems to resemble a gingerbread cookie.
T: Quite similar to the smell, the taste has flavors of nutmeg along with notes of ginger and additional hints of cinnamon. There is a slight bit of sweetness and no alcohol is perceptible.
M: It feels medium-bodied on the palate and has a moderate amount of carbonation. The beer coats your mouth a little bit.
O: I found this beer to have a nice amount of holiday spices that didn't seem to be overdone. It also drank rather easily for a winter warmer.
★ 913 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
A: The beer is crystal clear dark garnet red in color and has a light amount of visible carbonation. It poured with a short off white head that rapidly dissipated leaving a thin collar consisting of large bubbles around the edge of the glass.
S: Moderately strong aromas of holiday spices are present in the nose—nutmeg seems to stand out most prominently followed by notes of ginger. As the beer warms up, the smell seems to resemble a gingerbread cookie.
T: Quite similar to the smell, the taste has flavors of nutmeg along with notes of ginger and additional hints of cinnamon. There is a slight bit of sweetness and no alcohol is perceptible.
M: It feels medium-bodied on the palate and has a moderate amount of carbonation. The beer coats your mouth a little bit.
O: I found this beer to have a nice amount of holiday spices that didn't seem to be overdone. It also drank rather easily for a winter warmer.
★ 913 characters
4.06/5 rDev +9.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
This is an excellent winter warmer! The beer smells and especially tastes like Christmas. There's a great amount of spice here--some cinnamon, peppermint, pepper, and it's equally spicy and sweet. It's darker in color than your average winter warmer, and it does finish somewhat sticky, but the high ABV is masked pretty well. This is definitely a beer to sip, but it's still more than drinkable during the winter months and does not shy away from flavor while also not going overboard with the spices.
★ 502 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
This is an excellent winter warmer! The beer smells and especially tastes like Christmas. There's a great amount of spice here--some cinnamon, peppermint, pepper, and it's equally spicy and sweet. It's darker in color than your average winter warmer, and it does finish somewhat sticky, but the high ABV is masked pretty well. This is definitely a beer to sip, but it's still more than drinkable during the winter months and does not shy away from flavor while also not going overboard with the spices.
★ 502 characters
4.1/5 rDev +10.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
22 ounce bottle into tulip glass, 2012 vintage. Pours lightly cloudy dark ruby red color with a 1-2 finger fairly dense light khaki head with good retention, that reduces to a small cap that lingers. Spotty foamy lacing clings on the glass. Aromas of big raisin, apple, brown sugar, cinnamon, clove, caramel, gingerbread, toast, nutmeg, and herbal earthiness. Damn nice aromas with good balance and complexity of malt and spice notes; with good strength. Taste of raisin, apple, brown sugar, cinnamon, toast, nutmeg, caramel, gingerbread, clove, and herbal earthiness. Lingering notes of raisin, apple, brown sugar, cinnamon, toast, molasses, gingerbread, nutmeg, clove, and herbal earthiness on the finish for a good bit. Damn nice complexity of malt and spice flavors; with a great malt/spice balance and zero cloying sweetness after the finish. Medium carbonation and medium-full bodied; with a smooth and lightly syrupy mouthfeel that is nice. Alcohol is very well hidden with only a slight warming present after the finish. Overall this is an excellent imperial winter warmer. All around great balance and complexity of malt and spice flavors; and very smooth to sip on for the ABV. A very enjoyable offering.
★ 1,214 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
22 ounce bottle into tulip glass, 2012 vintage. Pours lightly cloudy dark ruby red color with a 1-2 finger fairly dense light khaki head with good retention, that reduces to a small cap that lingers. Spotty foamy lacing clings on the glass. Aromas of big raisin, apple, brown sugar, cinnamon, clove, caramel, gingerbread, toast, nutmeg, and herbal earthiness. Damn nice aromas with good balance and complexity of malt and spice notes; with good strength. Taste of raisin, apple, brown sugar, cinnamon, toast, nutmeg, caramel, gingerbread, clove, and herbal earthiness. Lingering notes of raisin, apple, brown sugar, cinnamon, toast, molasses, gingerbread, nutmeg, clove, and herbal earthiness on the finish for a good bit. Damn nice complexity of malt and spice flavors; with a great malt/spice balance and zero cloying sweetness after the finish. Medium carbonation and medium-full bodied; with a smooth and lightly syrupy mouthfeel that is nice. Alcohol is very well hidden with only a slight warming present after the finish. Overall this is an excellent imperial winter warmer. All around great balance and complexity of malt and spice flavors; and very smooth to sip on for the ABV. A very enjoyable offering.
★ 1,214 characters
4.59/5 rDev +23.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
2011 Vintage poured into a Trophy Brewing Tulip.
Appearance-4.25- This beer pours a beautiful amber/brown color with a minimal offwhite head that fades quickly. Leaves some nice lacing and although the head dissipated so fast it still left a nice film settled over the top of the beer. When held to a light it almost appears to be a clear ruby reddish color with a small amount of visible carbonation.
Smell-4.5- Even though its mid june when I close my eyes and take a whiff the scent brings me right to xmas day. My only qualm is that the cinnamon is a little over powering but other than that the spices and malts blend so well. You can tell this ones got a little booze to it but its not at all overpowering and blends into a perfect harmony with the malts and spices.
Taste- Sweet sweet malts with loads of winterish spice. Some people might think the spices are a little over the top but to me this flavor profile is just about spot on for what I'd hope for in a "winter warmer". Sweet malts, all the right spices and some warmth on the way down. The taste seems to linger for a good while between sips as well.
Mouthfeel- Moderate carbonation, smooth/slick medium body, perfect amount of warmth on the way down...compliments the taste nicely.
Overall-4.5- I think this beer is great for the style. LOADS of flavor. Not in a bad way, its just like...an "Imperial Winter Warmer" which is cool. Most companies put out these super mild, over spiced/under malted winter warmers so its cool to have a company go all out with one. However, with all that being said, this one bomber is more than enough. I think a single pint of this sweet gingerbread molasses strong brew around the holiday season would hit the spot perfectly. I'll definitely be grabbing another one this winter.
★ 1,788 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
2011 Vintage poured into a Trophy Brewing Tulip.
Appearance-4.25- This beer pours a beautiful amber/brown color with a minimal offwhite head that fades quickly. Leaves some nice lacing and although the head dissipated so fast it still left a nice film settled over the top of the beer. When held to a light it almost appears to be a clear ruby reddish color with a small amount of visible carbonation.
Smell-4.5- Even though its mid june when I close my eyes and take a whiff the scent brings me right to xmas day. My only qualm is that the cinnamon is a little over powering but other than that the spices and malts blend so well. You can tell this ones got a little booze to it but its not at all overpowering and blends into a perfect harmony with the malts and spices.
Taste- Sweet sweet malts with loads of winterish spice. Some people might think the spices are a little over the top but to me this flavor profile is just about spot on for what I'd hope for in a "winter warmer". Sweet malts, all the right spices and some warmth on the way down. The taste seems to linger for a good while between sips as well.
Mouthfeel- Moderate carbonation, smooth/slick medium body, perfect amount of warmth on the way down...compliments the taste nicely.
Overall-4.5- I think this beer is great for the style. LOADS of flavor. Not in a bad way, its just like...an "Imperial Winter Warmer" which is cool. Most companies put out these super mild, over spiced/under malted winter warmers so its cool to have a company go all out with one. However, with all that being said, this one bomber is more than enough. I think a single pint of this sweet gingerbread molasses strong brew around the holiday season would hit the spot perfectly. I'll definitely be grabbing another one this winter.
★ 1,788 characters
3.63/5 rDev -2.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 3.75
When I wrote the review below I had only had the barrel series. I don't believe there was a distinction yet, on site, or I missed it. I heartily recommend the barrel versions, but the basic Christmas ale seems to lack the complexity of, say, Maduro from Cigar City. Even the spices don't help enough to save it from this comment. It really needs the aging in barrels to set it apart from other Xmas ales, or even a really great brown ale.
This is not as good as most Hoppin Frogs, but not "bad" by any means. Just nowhere as good as it could be. The balance is fine. Nothing wrong, it just doesn't stand up and say "drink me." I even tried a bullwhip and electro-shock therapy.
Thin body without complexity. Spices are pretty much perfect: nice balance of cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg. The spicing is the best part. Appearance: nice clarity with slight off white head... mostly pillow and a few small rocks.
On the other hand it's a nice, mostly, blank slate on which to do great barrel aging: which is what they did. Kudos.
"This was described to me as the bourbon barrel forward, oak barrel aged, version of their brown ale: the spiced Christmas Ale at the brewery where I stop every year. That's exactly what it is. Incredible oak nose but as it warmed the bourbon dominated, oak second, brown malt third and spices in the end, but not far off enough to make them insignificant."
" This year there were three versions. Regular, oak aged forward, then oak aged bourbon forward. This was the bourbon version, but the magic here is everything else comes through the bourbon sweetness."
" Not heavy bodied, but true brown ale medium on the lighter side."
★ 1,659 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 3.75
When I wrote the review below I had only had the barrel series. I don't believe there was a distinction yet, on site, or I missed it. I heartily recommend the barrel versions, but the basic Christmas ale seems to lack the complexity of, say, Maduro from Cigar City. Even the spices don't help enough to save it from this comment. It really needs the aging in barrels to set it apart from other Xmas ales, or even a really great brown ale.
This is not as good as most Hoppin Frogs, but not "bad" by any means. Just nowhere as good as it could be. The balance is fine. Nothing wrong, it just doesn't stand up and say "drink me." I even tried a bullwhip and electro-shock therapy.
Thin body without complexity. Spices are pretty much perfect: nice balance of cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg. The spicing is the best part. Appearance: nice clarity with slight off white head... mostly pillow and a few small rocks.
On the other hand it's a nice, mostly, blank slate on which to do great barrel aging: which is what they did. Kudos.
"This was described to me as the bourbon barrel forward, oak barrel aged, version of their brown ale: the spiced Christmas Ale at the brewery where I stop every year. That's exactly what it is. Incredible oak nose but as it warmed the bourbon dominated, oak second, brown malt third and spices in the end, but not far off enough to make them insignificant."
" This year there were three versions. Regular, oak aged forward, then oak aged bourbon forward. This was the bourbon version, but the magic here is everything else comes through the bourbon sweetness."
" Not heavy bodied, but true brown ale medium on the lighter side."
★ 1,659 characters
3.94/5 rDev +5.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Picked this up for 6 bucks at Giant Eagle on RT 8.
A - Nice to see this winter seasonal has held up well mild carbonation bubbles with a 1/4 inch of mocha head with decent lace. Color is a respectable deep amber brown.
S - Surprise! It's full of ginger and nutmeg... eh I expected so much but I am intrigued! I also get some molasses (like a gingerbread cookie) and some roast. No hops to speak of.
T - Chewy is my first thought then the malt kicks in with the hops and molasses to taste. Ginger really makes this very drinkable (as all ginger beers do) with a bit of caramel soaked bunt cake in the finish.
M - Serving this kind of warm I am surprised the ABV hasn't shown me much alcohol in the taste. Drinks with a medium body and slightly slick.
Overall I feel this beer is great even two months old! Quite a great winter warmer indeed even more so at 6 bucks a bomber!
★ 875 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Picked this up for 6 bucks at Giant Eagle on RT 8.
A - Nice to see this winter seasonal has held up well mild carbonation bubbles with a 1/4 inch of mocha head with decent lace. Color is a respectable deep amber brown.
S - Surprise! It's full of ginger and nutmeg... eh I expected so much but I am intrigued! I also get some molasses (like a gingerbread cookie) and some roast. No hops to speak of.
T - Chewy is my first thought then the malt kicks in with the hops and molasses to taste. Ginger really makes this very drinkable (as all ginger beers do) with a bit of caramel soaked bunt cake in the finish.
M - Serving this kind of warm I am surprised the ABV hasn't shown me much alcohol in the taste. Drinks with a medium body and slightly slick.
Overall I feel this beer is great even two months old! Quite a great winter warmer indeed even more so at 6 bucks a bomber!
★ 875 characters
3.92/5 rDev +5.4%
look: 3.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Arrived with an amber body and a very thin head which quickly disappeared. Taste and aroma highlighted holiday spices (cinnamon stood out to me); hints of peppermint. The body was medium with a smooth, even bitterness throughout.
I have to thank my friend Rick for buying this beer for me in a bar near Akron, Ohio, especially since we didn't know it was $15.00 for a tap beer (the few Hoppin' Frog bombers I find in Colorado also cost around this price-point!). Anyway, it was a fine tasting Xmas ale although there are others out there that I find more evenly balanced (i.e., Great Lakes "Winter Ale" and Anchor Steam "Christmas Ale") and way less expensive. Bottom-line: it's a fine tasting beer but not necessarily worth the money.
★ 736 characters
look: 3.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Arrived with an amber body and a very thin head which quickly disappeared. Taste and aroma highlighted holiday spices (cinnamon stood out to me); hints of peppermint. The body was medium with a smooth, even bitterness throughout.
I have to thank my friend Rick for buying this beer for me in a bar near Akron, Ohio, especially since we didn't know it was $15.00 for a tap beer (the few Hoppin' Frog bombers I find in Colorado also cost around this price-point!). Anyway, it was a fine tasting Xmas ale although there are others out there that I find more evenly balanced (i.e., Great Lakes "Winter Ale" and Anchor Steam "Christmas Ale") and way less expensive. Bottom-line: it's a fine tasting beer but not necessarily worth the money.
★ 736 characters
3.68/5 rDev -1.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.75
Pours dark reddish orange with small head. Smells like cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger. Smells like Christmas time. Heavy nutmeg and cinnamon flavor. Cinnamon last a while on the palate. Smooth base beer, but can't taste much of it through all the spice. Slight hint of booze and alcohol warmth. Definitely a nice winter ale if you are in the mood for sweet with the spice rack thrown in. Hits what it is going for, but really just fun for the holidays. Otherwise not my thing.
★ 470 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.75
Pours dark reddish orange with small head. Smells like cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger. Smells like Christmas time. Heavy nutmeg and cinnamon flavor. Cinnamon last a while on the palate. Smooth base beer, but can't taste much of it through all the spice. Slight hint of booze and alcohol warmth. Definitely a nice winter ale if you are in the mood for sweet with the spice rack thrown in. Hits what it is going for, but really just fun for the holidays. Otherwise not my thing.
★ 470 characters
3.5/5 rDev -5.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Hmmm...what to say about this beer??? It was my third 22oz of the night and also least potent in ABV. Hazy memory on this review. Very Christmas-y in theme and taste. Love the bottle so I drank it straight from there. It's got that nutmeg, allspice, pear cidery vibe. Slightly sweet. No hoppy element, registering 12 on the IBU scale. Poured a little sample out to check the dark brown color, normal amount of head. Wasn't too enthused overall with the taste. Def not a session beer! Couldn't drink more than one!
I must say the frog on the front is the best part of the beer.
★ 577 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Hmmm...what to say about this beer??? It was my third 22oz of the night and also least potent in ABV. Hazy memory on this review. Very Christmas-y in theme and taste. Love the bottle so I drank it straight from there. It's got that nutmeg, allspice, pear cidery vibe. Slightly sweet. No hoppy element, registering 12 on the IBU scale. Poured a little sample out to check the dark brown color, normal amount of head. Wasn't too enthused overall with the taste. Def not a session beer! Couldn't drink more than one!
I must say the frog on the front is the best part of the beer.
★ 577 characters
4.62/5 rDev +24.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Poured into a beer mug.
Appearance- Pours a deep murky amber with a one finger khaki head.
Smell- Smells distinctly of gingerbread with notes of cinnamon, nutmeg, and maybe some pumpkin toward the end.
Taste- Tastes like it smells. A lot of gingerbread and some molasses notes; sweet in a very good way.
Mouthfeel- Medium sort of body; refreshing and satisfying. Smooth with light to medium carbonation.
Overall- A really nice beer. Definitely glad I bought this one; very flavorful and a great Christmas sipper. I plan on getting this one next Winter. This is one of, if not my favorite, beer quite frankly. And I especially enjoyed cracking this one (and many others) open with my friend on Christmas night. Highly recommended.
★ 734 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Poured into a beer mug.
Appearance- Pours a deep murky amber with a one finger khaki head.
Smell- Smells distinctly of gingerbread with notes of cinnamon, nutmeg, and maybe some pumpkin toward the end.
Taste- Tastes like it smells. A lot of gingerbread and some molasses notes; sweet in a very good way.
Mouthfeel- Medium sort of body; refreshing and satisfying. Smooth with light to medium carbonation.
Overall- A really nice beer. Definitely glad I bought this one; very flavorful and a great Christmas sipper. I plan on getting this one next Winter. This is one of, if not my favorite, beer quite frankly. And I especially enjoyed cracking this one (and many others) open with my friend on Christmas night. Highly recommended.
★ 734 characters
4.24/5 rDev +14%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
22 ounce bottle
Served in a tumbler
A - It is a dirty red color. I got an inch of tan head that didn't stick around long.
S - It smells like Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal. For those of you that are unfamiliar, it smells like cinnamon sugar. I want a candle that smells like this!
T - I taste a lot of cinnamon. The other Christmas flavors are there, too, clove, etc.
M - Moderate
O - The aroma and flavor of this beer are huge. I loved the smell, but the cinnamon flavor was almost overwhelming.
★ 500 characters
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
22 ounce bottle
Served in a tumbler
A - It is a dirty red color. I got an inch of tan head that didn't stick around long.
S - It smells like Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal. For those of you that are unfamiliar, it smells like cinnamon sugar. I want a candle that smells like this!
T - I taste a lot of cinnamon. The other Christmas flavors are there, too, clove, etc.
M - Moderate
O - The aroma and flavor of this beer are huge. I loved the smell, but the cinnamon flavor was almost overwhelming.
★ 500 characters
4.62/5 rDev +24.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
Poured into a balloon glass.
The beer is a deep ruby mahogany color with a fast fading cream head. Little or no lacing sticks to the glass.
The beer smells deliciously of tangy spices, like cinnamon and lime. Faint mellow malts and maybe some cedar.
The taste is very spicy up front. Lots of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg come out. Almost like a pumpkin ale, but there's just something more like Christmas in this. Some nice lime and cherry notes mixed in the finish. Really flavorful.
Mouthfeel is creamy, smooth, and perfectly crisp for easy drinking.
Overall, I haven't had anything less than exceptional from Hoppin' Frog, and their Christmas Ale is no exception. Truly delicious.
★ 685 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
Poured into a balloon glass.
The beer is a deep ruby mahogany color with a fast fading cream head. Little or no lacing sticks to the glass.
The beer smells deliciously of tangy spices, like cinnamon and lime. Faint mellow malts and maybe some cedar.
The taste is very spicy up front. Lots of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg come out. Almost like a pumpkin ale, but there's just something more like Christmas in this. Some nice lime and cherry notes mixed in the finish. Really flavorful.
Mouthfeel is creamy, smooth, and perfectly crisp for easy drinking.
Overall, I haven't had anything less than exceptional from Hoppin' Frog, and their Christmas Ale is no exception. Truly delicious.
★ 685 characters
3.86/5 rDev +3.8%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
22oz bottle poured into a pint glass
A: Average brown with a thin head (even with an aggressive pour) that quickly settles
S: Very inviting, full of ginger, nutmeg, caramel and malt
T: Pleasant though not overly complex. Mainly baking spices with a bit of malt/caramel sweetness
M: Medium-bodied, smooth, spicy
O: Let this one warm up a bit as it does improve as the temperature rises. Overall, though it reminds me a bit of a pumpkin beer w/o the pumpkin, it's a pleasant beer that reminds me of all of the spiced candles we've been burning.
★ 542 characters
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
22oz bottle poured into a pint glass
A: Average brown with a thin head (even with an aggressive pour) that quickly settles
S: Very inviting, full of ginger, nutmeg, caramel and malt
T: Pleasant though not overly complex. Mainly baking spices with a bit of malt/caramel sweetness
M: Medium-bodied, smooth, spicy
O: Let this one warm up a bit as it does improve as the temperature rises. Overall, though it reminds me a bit of a pumpkin beer w/o the pumpkin, it's a pleasant beer that reminds me of all of the spiced candles we've been burning.
★ 542 characters
Frosted Frog Christmas Ale from Hoppin' Frog Brewery
3.72
out of 5
based on 401 ratings.
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
I'm not one to write off a beer just because it's over the top spiced, but if you are, you'll probably just want to stay away. However, the spice profile in this one just didn't do much for me, making the drinkability low. I struggled to get through the bomber while watching MNF. Can't put my finger on what it is exactly that was throwing me off. Ginger? I don't know, Southern Tier 2xmas and pumking both have tons more, and I like both those beers. Anyway, again, if you like the highly spiced Christmas beers, it's worth a shot. I'm just glad l waited until I found it marked down, and won't be revisiting this one.
★ 637 characters