Christmas Ale
Breckenridge Brewery
Beer Geek Stats
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- Style:
- Winter Warmer
Ranked #264 - ABV:
- 7.1%
- Score:
- 81
Ranked #46,253 - Avg:
- 3.55 | pDev: 13.8%
- Reviews:
- 473
- Ratings:
- From:
- Breckenridge Brewery
- Colorado, United States
- Avail:
- Rotating/Seasonal
- Wants
- 26
- Gots
- 205
SCORE
81
Good
81
Good
Notes:
The chill of a Colorado high-country winter calls for a beer with extra flavor and strength. Here it is. At over 7% alcohol, with a sturdy texture and rich flavors of caramel and chocolate, our holiday seasonal is the fermented equivalent of a good fire.
Reviews: 473
| Ratings: 1,220
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Reviews by Bierwolf:
Bierwolf from Missouri
3.11/5 rDev -12.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3
12 ounce bottle poured into a pint glass.
Appearance: Pours dark with one finger of light tan foam, not cloudy but not clear. A little carbonation.
Smell: Sweet, apple, floral, malt.
Taste: Light fruity taste with a little bit of malt in the background. Very little hop bitterness.
Mouth Feel: Smooth and medium bodied. Easy to drink.
Over All: An easy drinking beer but I was a bit disappointed as it was not what I expected for a winter warmer. The beer just did not give me a satisfying finish for the style. Not a bad beer but not what I expected.
Jan 28, 2014
3.11/5 rDev -12.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3
12 ounce bottle poured into a pint glass.
Appearance: Pours dark with one finger of light tan foam, not cloudy but not clear. A little carbonation.
Smell: Sweet, apple, floral, malt.
Taste: Light fruity taste with a little bit of malt in the background. Very little hop bitterness.
Mouth Feel: Smooth and medium bodied. Easy to drink.
Over All: An easy drinking beer but I was a bit disappointed as it was not what I expected for a winter warmer. The beer just did not give me a satisfying finish for the style. Not a bad beer but not what I expected.
Jan 28, 2014
More User Reviews:
AlCaponeJunior from Texas
3.75/5 rDev +5.6%
Has a kind of wintery feeling to it, good for those family gatherings you really hate. But - it isn't so high in alcohol that you'll be stumbling around, tripping over a string of christmas lights, embarrassing your wife and validating the dislike the inlaws have always had for you. Plus the label is nice and festive! It's a must-have for late november and all of december.
Dec 09, 2014
3.75/5 rDev +5.6%
Has a kind of wintery feeling to it, good for those family gatherings you really hate. But - it isn't so high in alcohol that you'll be stumbling around, tripping over a string of christmas lights, embarrassing your wife and validating the dislike the inlaws have always had for you. Plus the label is nice and festive! It's a must-have for late november and all of december.
Dec 09, 2014
ksimons from Illinois
3.68/5 rDev +3.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
A-a clear chestnut with a thin layer of cream head that sticks to the glass
S-malt, caramel, raisins, but not getting much spicy aromas
T-a little on the weak side, malt, caramel, and a very small amount of hop bitterness
M-mouthfeel is actually pretty decent, medium body, light carbonation
Overall it is hard to believe this is a Christmas ale, the spice profile is basically non existent. Nice maltiness though.
Nov 30, 2012
3.68/5 rDev +3.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
A-a clear chestnut with a thin layer of cream head that sticks to the glass
S-malt, caramel, raisins, but not getting much spicy aromas
T-a little on the weak side, malt, caramel, and a very small amount of hop bitterness
M-mouthfeel is actually pretty decent, medium body, light carbonation
Overall it is hard to believe this is a Christmas ale, the spice profile is basically non existent. Nice maltiness though.
Nov 30, 2012
thedrewski86 from Indiana
3.23/5 rDev -9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Poured this into a pint glass, left 1/2" of off-white head that reduced to a film leaving good lacing. Smells malty, maybe a little peach(?). Color is a dark amber. Taste is smooth with a bitter finish, some spices suitable for a Christmas ale. Body is thin to medium. Mild carbonation. I wouldn't drink a six-pack of this in one go, but it's certainly not bad.
Dec 21, 2009
3.23/5 rDev -9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Poured this into a pint glass, left 1/2" of off-white head that reduced to a film leaving good lacing. Smells malty, maybe a little peach(?). Color is a dark amber. Taste is smooth with a bitter finish, some spices suitable for a Christmas ale. Body is thin to medium. Mild carbonation. I wouldn't drink a six-pack of this in one go, but it's certainly not bad.
Dec 21, 2009
jeremy3311 from Ohio
3.72/5 rDev +4.8%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Jan 14, 2015
3.72/5 rDev +4.8%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Jan 14, 2015
ZimZamZoom from West Virginia
3.9/5 rDev +9.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Thanks go out to BA dmamiano for this one.
Pours a beautiful deep copper color, with a tan head that is very dense. Lacing is fair to good as this head slowly fades Really a nice look here.
A nice spicy aroma, whether from hops or added spices I do not know. Some alcohol evident with a nice fruity pear sweetness as well. Taste is a nice mix of malt and spice. Burnt caramel and some dark fruit notes. Nice. There is a bit of alcohol warmth.
Nice body to this winter warmer, as expected. Lightly carbonated and more than sippable. Could see this one creeping up on an unsuspecting imbiber. Well done.
Dec 31, 2009
3.9/5 rDev +9.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Thanks go out to BA dmamiano for this one.
Pours a beautiful deep copper color, with a tan head that is very dense. Lacing is fair to good as this head slowly fades Really a nice look here.
A nice spicy aroma, whether from hops or added spices I do not know. Some alcohol evident with a nice fruity pear sweetness as well. Taste is a nice mix of malt and spice. Burnt caramel and some dark fruit notes. Nice. There is a bit of alcohol warmth.
Nice body to this winter warmer, as expected. Lightly carbonated and more than sippable. Could see this one creeping up on an unsuspecting imbiber. Well done.
Dec 31, 2009
Abrahaam from Czech Republic
2.81/5 rDev -20.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.75
Jan 09, 2016
2.81/5 rDev -20.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.75
Jan 09, 2016
JohnnyMc from Ohio
3.07/5 rDev -13.5%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 3
This is an extremely subtle beer compared to most Christmas Ales. There is a very big and distinctive malt taste with hints of spices.
The aroma also has a hint of spices and maybe slight chocolate. While not a bad beer, this is underwhelming compared to most Christmas Ales and seasonals out there.
The carbonation level is also too high for this style and there isn't much going on beyond the the malt backbone.
Feb 16, 2012
3.07/5 rDev -13.5%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 3
This is an extremely subtle beer compared to most Christmas Ales. There is a very big and distinctive malt taste with hints of spices.
The aroma also has a hint of spices and maybe slight chocolate. While not a bad beer, this is underwhelming compared to most Christmas Ales and seasonals out there.
The carbonation level is also too high for this style and there isn't much going on beyond the the malt backbone.
Feb 16, 2012
Lucas1000 from Illinois
3.71/5 rDev +4.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Appearance:
Nice ruby color. Pretty clear. Head is ok, with a decent retention.
Smell:
Smells a bit like spices and nuts. Nothing too overpowering.
Taste:
Nice hearty taste. Like the spice and hops aftertaste.
Mouthfeel:
Pretty smooth on the intake, nice medium body.
Overall:
I wouldn't seek this out to drink on my own again, but a good beer to share with friends during holiday festivities.
Definitely a christmas gift for a buddy you're hoping to introduce to craft beer culture.
Dec 04, 2013
3.71/5 rDev +4.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Appearance:
Nice ruby color. Pretty clear. Head is ok, with a decent retention.
Smell:
Smells a bit like spices and nuts. Nothing too overpowering.
Taste:
Nice hearty taste. Like the spice and hops aftertaste.
Mouthfeel:
Pretty smooth on the intake, nice medium body.
Overall:
I wouldn't seek this out to drink on my own again, but a good beer to share with friends during holiday festivities.
Definitely a christmas gift for a buddy you're hoping to introduce to craft beer culture.
Dec 04, 2013
3.58/5 rDev +0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
12oz bottle.
Poured a clear, dark amber. Covered with a medium sized, creamy, sand colored head.
Aroma included caramel, pine/spruce, and an unidentifiable spice.
Taste was much sweeter than expected, kinda like toffee. Spicy hops, some pepper - quite a bit, actually! Pine. Minty finish/aftertaste.
Medium to full body. Medium carbonation. Quite dry.
A nice, well hopped, spicy winter warmer. I probably wouldn't want too many at one time, but a couple certainly hit the spot.
Nov 20, 2007
Kendo from New York
3.3/5 rDev -7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
A: Poured from the bottle into a pint glass. Body is clear chestnut-brown with a small whitish head that's gone fast.
S: LIke a brown ale - sweet malt (toffee) and a touch of nuttiness.
T: Caramel malt, toffee, brown bread and spices - maybe some cinnamon, otherwise the spices fall in the "nondescript" or the "I can't quite make them out" categories. Slight metallic aftertaste does battle with the sweetness and spices for supremacy. Not loving the overall effect.
M: Light-to-medium in heft.
O: OK, far from great.
Nov 04, 2012
3.3/5 rDev -7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
A: Poured from the bottle into a pint glass. Body is clear chestnut-brown with a small whitish head that's gone fast.
S: LIke a brown ale - sweet malt (toffee) and a touch of nuttiness.
T: Caramel malt, toffee, brown bread and spices - maybe some cinnamon, otherwise the spices fall in the "nondescript" or the "I can't quite make them out" categories. Slight metallic aftertaste does battle with the sweetness and spices for supremacy. Not loving the overall effect.
M: Light-to-medium in heft.
O: OK, far from great.
Nov 04, 2012
schoolboy from Ohio
3.8/5 rDev +7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
I thought that I might have tried this a while back, but maybe not (that's why I write these reviews). It's a pretty good value - not too expensive. There is a lot going on here. It's a bit like a brown ale, with plenty of malt underneath all that spice. The aftertaste is good.
I would recommend this warmer for when you don't want so much spice and crazy xmasness. This one is more like a real beer, and a good one.
Oct 30, 2011
3.8/5 rDev +7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
I thought that I might have tried this a while back, but maybe not (that's why I write these reviews). It's a pretty good value - not too expensive. There is a lot going on here. It's a bit like a brown ale, with plenty of malt underneath all that spice. The aftertaste is good.
I would recommend this warmer for when you don't want so much spice and crazy xmasness. This one is more like a real beer, and a good one.
Oct 30, 2011
oline73 from Maryland
3.16/5 rDev -11%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3
I had this on-tap at Max's. Poured into a standard pint glass.
Appearance: Pours a clear dark amber with a finger of off white head and leaving some lacing.
Smell: Very mild smell to this one. Bready malt with some fruit notes and spices.
Taste: Bready malt with a mild spice profile. Not very sweet and there is a slight bitterness in the finish.
Mouthfeel: Medium body with tingly and smooth carbonation and a dry finish.
Overall: This is an alright Christmas beer. I would have either liked more spices or to clean up the taste a bit if they wanted to go the other way.
Dec 04, 2011
3.16/5 rDev -11%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3
I had this on-tap at Max's. Poured into a standard pint glass.
Appearance: Pours a clear dark amber with a finger of off white head and leaving some lacing.
Smell: Very mild smell to this one. Bready malt with some fruit notes and spices.
Taste: Bready malt with a mild spice profile. Not very sweet and there is a slight bitterness in the finish.
Mouthfeel: Medium body with tingly and smooth carbonation and a dry finish.
Overall: This is an alright Christmas beer. I would have either liked more spices or to clean up the taste a bit if they wanted to go the other way.
Dec 04, 2011
Christmas Ale from Breckenridge Brewery
Beer rating:
81 out of
100 with
1220 ratings
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