AdAmAn Holiday Ale
Pikes Peak Brewing Company

It tastes like a pine tree and I worry for myself that I find that a positive

 

 

I've really not been into the other beers from this place and I hated the thin feel on this one but the taste was done really really well actually. If it had at least a medium body I'd be like WOW.

 

 

 

 

this is one of my favorite christmas beers of the year, and while its a little late for the holidays, its a great winter seasonal that is still drinking just beautifully. who cares about a few weeks anyway? i mean, sam adams probably has sam summer on shelves already. this is a cool dark amber colored brew with a nice frothy khaki head with great retention. the nose is definitely a spiced ale, some anise and cinnamon in here i think, but there is also a cool honey sweetness to it. its not heavy in feel like other christmas beers, and is carbonated super well. you would never know its as strong as it is either, the alcohol is extremely well hidden. the honey is really evident in the flavor, and there is a bitter citrus element in the back there too with the hops. fun beer, one of my favorites from these guys so far, and just a very tasty holiday brew, different from the norm.

 

 

 

 

This is a rather unique take on the winter warmer style. The flavor is an intriguing balance of sweet and malty, with plenty of hop flavor but not too much bitterness. I don't pick up any spices on the nose, and they are very subtle in the flavor. I am not even sure if I would know they were there if I were not looking for them. Despite the possible under-spicing, the beer is wonderfully drinkable and has a pleasing sweetness derived from the juicy hop notes and nice warm malty presence. Very American in feel, and not like the typical English style winter warmers. I personally prefer more spices in a Christmas beers, but this is really nice in its own way and I think the brewers intend it to turn out as it does.

Another visit, December 16th, 2023 (in conjunction with the BA Holiday Beer Tasting - 2023)

Clear yet dark mahogany color; moderate carbonation; fair head, bone-white color, semi-sticky and creamy. Solid roasted grain aroma; hazelnuts; light spiciness. Moderate malt base amped up with spicy ginger (primarily) and other hard to describe herb and spice notes; fairly bold bitterness. Medium body; generally smooth with just a touch of crispness and lingering velvety stickiness.

A local holiday beer that I always look forward to, this edition doesn't disappoint. More malt-forward than holiday spicy, yet has notes of anise and blue spruce wrapped into the mix.

Pouring temperature: 49.1 ℉; canning info: CANNED ON 11/03/23
Source: local purchase (Weber Street Liquors)

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2nd revisit December 19th, 2021

3.75 4.25 4.0 4.0 4.0; BA weighted overall score: 4.05; rDev: +8.9%

Dark mahogany body, clear yet hard to see through; somewhat thin head, lasting. Heady pine-like aroma; blue spruce and pine boughs; subliminal smokiness. The taste follows along with the smell attributes; spruce and anise; roasted malts; slight phenols and bitterness. Heavy body; mildly sharp and prickly on the palate; moderate residual sugar feel; a touch of dryness midway through and into the finish.

This local beer remains a favorite of mine. It's generally malt forward with more pine-like qualities as opposed to holiday cookie spices. This year's edition is a fine one.

Pouring temperature: 45 °F; canning data: CANNED ON 11/16/2 HOLIDAZE

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Revisited December 19th, 2020 (original review December 02nd, 2014) - 12/19/20 ratings and score: 3.75 3.25 3.75 4.0 3.75 (overall score: 3.66)

Clear, beautiful dark amber body topped with a moderately lasting off-white head. Very little aroma, certainly no notes of holiday spices, honey, or fruit; just a trace of sugary malt. The taste brings back some holiday spice notes; anise and cinnamon, a trace of ginger. Heavy body; sticky with residual sugars; somewhat sharp and prickly on the palate; mild dryness at the finish.

Well, this certainly does not compare to the beer I reviewed six years ago. The look and, especially, the smell are way degraded. The aroma in particular is odd in that there is little to detect, especially with the adjuncts used. The taste certainly fits the bill of a holiday ale yet seems heavier and more on the sweeter side of things rather than any kind of holiday spice overtone. Well, things change. This still is a decent beer, just not as awesome as I seemed to think it was years ago.
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Original December 02nd, 2014 review and ratings: 4.25 4.0 4.25 4.0 4.25

Can info: brewed with cinnamon, ginger, orange peel and local honey.

The color is a deep, golden brown with a thick, lasting off-white head. Mildly spicy aroma, primarily of cinnamon with a mild brown sugar undertone. The flavor resembles a mixture of brown sugar, ginger, and cinnamon all backed with a mild, soothing bitterness. Heavy without feeling syrupy; semi-dry finish.

This holiday ale does an excellent job of blending and balancing all its ingredients. Rich without being too heavy, flavorful with subtle restraint, and very easy drinking for a big ABV beer. A very fine holiday ale for the winter months.