3 Ho's
Country Boy Brewing

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The color is deep amber to nearly brown with a thick off white head that was foamy and fleeting.

The scent is spicy with tons of nutmeg. The overall malt body is discernible but lost by a tempered spiciness.

The flavor is reminiscent of Country Boys Pumpkin as it has a strong nutmeg, lesser cinnamon and a caramel malt body. The flavor is more festive than Halloweenish as the spices lend to Christmas cheer.

The feel is nicely easy, not particularly thick, but the carbonation is not too high.

I like this beer and it's an easy 8 pct ABV so it makes this a very Merry Christmas.

 

 

 

A: Pours a clear, brownish amber with a thick, compact off-white head.

S: Aromas of Christmas spices, dark bread, caramel, toffee, and mild hops are present on the nose.

T: Notes of Christmas spices, bitter orange peel, caramel, toffee, mild pepper, dark bread, and earthy hops fill the mouth. The finish is spicy and warming with the notes of bread, toffee, and Christmas spices really coming to the fore.

M: Medium-to-full in body with crisp, firm carbonation. Relatively dry with mild alcohol presence.

O: This is a very solid, likable winter warmer. The spicing is relatively heavy, but is not overpowering. I would definitely recommend this to fans of spicy and/or sweet strong ales.

Screw milk and cookies! Country Boy knows what Santa wants best- a fortified amber ale that's decorated with all those Christmasy spices that makes the taste of the holidays so worthwhile!

And with that deep amber hue in mind, the nearly chestnut brown beer carries an unadulterated haze that gives the beer a richer, breadier look. Capped with a creamy off white sheet of foam, the beer retains much of the session before succumbing to the beer's malty weight and provocative alcohols; leaving light pocketed lacing in its wake.

Toasted biscuit malt starts things off with its notes of crusted bread, roasted nuts, seared toffee, and starchy baked barley scent. Decorated with spice additions of ginger, cinnamon, and perhaps a dash of clove and allspice- the amber ale takes a very merry twist.

But with a calmer and saner taste, its the amber ale part of the beer that provides the leadership in taste. Grounded with the savory flavors of baking bread, medium toast, and nutty toffee; the beer never looses focus as the sane additions of Christmas spices add a touch of perfume and a pep of spice that complements the beer without dominating its base. It simply gives an added level of complexity that gives the beer a kiss of something special that strikes the fancy in beer aficionados.

Medium bodied from start to finish, the beer's moderate sweetness and malty weight is smoothened by creamy carbonation that gives the beer a slight lift. The mild residual sweetness continues to dissolve into a dry nutty taste as the spices and alcohols provide a tepid warmth to finish. But the beer in no way reveals the heat of 8+ percent.

Simple in its design, yet showing restraint in execution- 3 Ho's is everything that's great a about capturing the essence of the holiday in sudsy form. I'm sure Santa would love to take 3 Ho's back to the north pole. But knowing what the Country Boys mean by the name, I don't think Mrs. Clause will let him in the door with them.