Krampus
Sleeping Giant Brewing Co.

473 mL can from the LCBO; dated Nov 7 2024 and served barely chilled. It has been a long time since I last reviewed a barleywine.

Pours a relatively clear reddish-copper colour with orange-amber highlights; situated atop is one finger of tight, creamy, light beige-coloured head. Within three or four minutes, it has been whittled down to a modest collar and a filmy cap; a few strands of stringy lace cling to the perimeter of the glass. Malty aroma with notes of toffee, caramelized sugars and maple syrup, together with toasted, biscuity malts, earthy/herbal hops and figs.

It drinks more like a mash-up between a barleywine and a winter warmer vs. one or the other. Flavours of caramel, bruised apples and toasted malts come through early on; hints of coffee, fig, honey and biscuits are next to join the fray. The oak comes through later on, alongside some earthy, herbal hops and a touch of maple syrup (presumably from the fenugreek). Mildly boozy-sweet finish, with a resiny note persisting on the tastebuds well into the aftertaste. On the fuller side of medium-bodied, with weak carbonation that barely registers on the tongue; its mouthfeel is smooth and satisfying. Reasonably drinkable, though one serving is enough for me.

Final Grade: 3.82, a B+. Krampus is an interesting strong ale: probably the most creative/unique product I've tried from Sleeping Giant, and arguably some of this brewery's best work. It starts out like your typical winter warmer, malty and sweet, but the combination of hops, oak and herbs that come through on the back end is more suggestive of an American barleywine. Too light to be an ideal representative of its style, and not necessarily a beer I'd search high and low for - but if it shows up next autumn or winter, I'd take it for another spin.

Dec 27 2024

Listed as a Barleywine, it also says Christmas Ale, which is more Winter Warmer in style. Canned 07/11/24. Served cool into a pint glass. LCBO purchase.

Appearance - Dark ruby colored with auburn. Fairly clear with a finger plus of off-white head. Some lacing left behind after the short-lived head recedes.

Smell - Muddled blend of hops with a deep caramel base and some earthy notes.

Taste - Dark and malty with some nuttiness, earthiness then some hops shine through with a oak burst and a pinch of pine. Interesting combo and complex. Good for a sipper. Apparently there is some fenugreek in here too. Dark fruit such as figs / prunes muddled in as well.

Mouthfeel - Medium-full bodied, dry finish, low carbonation. Pretty easy drinking for a bigger beer.

Overall - Not a typical barleywine, but interesting and bridges the border with a winter warmer with some roasty malts and some caramel. Probably the best beer I've had from these guys and would gladly go back for another.