Sailing Santa
Saint Arnold Brewing Company
- From:
- Saint Arnold Brewing Company
- Texas, United States
- Style:
- American IPA
- ABV:
- 7.2%
- Score:
- 82
- Avg:
- 3.64 | pDev: 14.29%
- Ratings:
- | reviews: 60
- Status:
- Inactive
- Rated:
- Apr 08, 2020
- Added:
- Nov 20, 2011
- Wants:
- 7
- Gots:
- 45
SCORE
82
Good
82
Good
Sailing Santa is a deep copper colored blend of our Christmas Ale and Elissa IPA with spices added. The result is a pleasantly hoppy strong dark ale with spices. The genesis of this beer came from our customers on tours asking to blend the two beers. Eventually, someone came up with the name Sailing Santa. We have now added spices to the beer, changing the mix slightly from year to year, to add to the holiday experience of enjoying a pint. We actually brew a batch of Christmas Ale, then a batch of Elissa IPA and blend them in the fermenter. We add the spices at the end of fermentation.
For the 2015 version, we were able to get our hands on a brand new hop, called Snap, which is actually a blend of hops, spices and botanicals. What exactly is in there? We can't say. How do you blend hops with spices and botanicals? We can't say. We can tell you that the new hop, added at the end of fermentation, adds a ginger snap aroma and a complexity that makes Sailing Santa taste like the holidays.
Our Sailing Santa is pure, with no additives or preservatives. In order to maintain the freshest flavor possible, we do not pasteurize our beer. Many of its subtle flavors are delicate and would not stand up to the heat of pasteurization. We recommend that this product be stored cold to avoid any degradation in flavor. You will notice that the spice notes decrease over time.
For the 2015 version, we were able to get our hands on a brand new hop, called Snap, which is actually a blend of hops, spices and botanicals. What exactly is in there? We can't say. How do you blend hops with spices and botanicals? We can't say. We can tell you that the new hop, added at the end of fermentation, adds a ginger snap aroma and a complexity that makes Sailing Santa taste like the holidays.
Our Sailing Santa is pure, with no additives or preservatives. In order to maintain the freshest flavor possible, we do not pasteurize our beer. Many of its subtle flavors are delicate and would not stand up to the heat of pasteurization. We recommend that this product be stored cold to avoid any degradation in flavor. You will notice that the spice notes decrease over time.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Reviewed by rodbeermunch from Nevada
3.5/5 rDev -3.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
3.5/5 rDev -3.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Red and light brown color, white head, 1/3". An aroma that was a little hoppy, good amount of malt, color and aroma kinda got me thinking Celebration Ale knock off here.
It really follows that mold of a darker, winter kind of ipa. Not quite brown malt, but maybe darker roasting of the pale malts, I dunno how they do it. Its enjoyable. Wouldn't sneeze at this in a 6 pack for $10 or less.
Jan 28, 2016It really follows that mold of a darker, winter kind of ipa. Not quite brown malt, but maybe darker roasting of the pale malts, I dunno how they do it. Its enjoyable. Wouldn't sneeze at this in a 6 pack for $10 or less.
Reviewed by thatche2 from Georgia
3.8/5 rDev +4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
3.8/5 rDev +4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Poured from a bomber into a pint glass.
Appearance is light copper/ruby red with a lot of transparency. Head is moderate one finger thick with little retention. There is also little lacing around the glass.
Smell is spices (clove, cinnamon and allspice) and floral hops. Some caramel is also coming through (no alcohol is noticeable).
Taste is initially lightly roasted malt followed by spice with hops coming through on the finish. Brown sugar, butter and caramel come through moderately as well. There is some bitterness from the hops that adds balance. The overall flavor is pretty good but has average depth and duration.
Mouthfeel is fairly light with a good amount of carbonation (maybe too much).
Overall this is an interesting winter beer that is fairly easy to drink. The combination of the Christmas Ale and the Elissa IPA works well and creates decent balance. I will not actively search this beer out but will probably pick up a bomber or two during the holidays.
Jan 10, 2016Appearance is light copper/ruby red with a lot of transparency. Head is moderate one finger thick with little retention. There is also little lacing around the glass.
Smell is spices (clove, cinnamon and allspice) and floral hops. Some caramel is also coming through (no alcohol is noticeable).
Taste is initially lightly roasted malt followed by spice with hops coming through on the finish. Brown sugar, butter and caramel come through moderately as well. There is some bitterness from the hops that adds balance. The overall flavor is pretty good but has average depth and duration.
Mouthfeel is fairly light with a good amount of carbonation (maybe too much).
Overall this is an interesting winter beer that is fairly easy to drink. The combination of the Christmas Ale and the Elissa IPA works well and creates decent balance. I will not actively search this beer out but will probably pick up a bomber or two during the holidays.
Reviewed by cdharris from Texas
3.53/5 rDev -3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
3.53/5 rDev -3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Good Christmas beer, but I generally like the Christmas stouts and porters better. I'm a big fan of Saint Arnold beers, but this isn't my favorite. I prefer the regular Christmas Ale over this beer.
Jan 09, 2016Reviewed by awayne56 from Texas
2.78/5 rDev -23.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.75
2.78/5 rDev -23.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.75
Growing up, my mom always made spice tea during the holidays. This is a boozy version of her spice tea. I like the taste but the novelty grows old quickly.I like the citrusy hops but the spices - cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves steal the show. Initial reaction is like, but it gets old quickly especially when drinking a bomber. I was gifted 2 of these and I'm in norush to open the 2nd one. From a taste standpoint this is mostly citrusy hops and winter spices,
Dec 28, 2015
Reviewed by Tuck_leepulin from Texas
4.38/5 rDev +20.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
4.38/5 rDev +20.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
2015 batch poured into a snifter glass.
Pours a deep copper with 1/2 finger of white head with good lacing. This batch is a great improvement with elements of malty complexity from Christmas ale and hop flavor and aroma from Elissa. All of this is enhanced thanks to the holiday spices and Snap hops. Fantastic festive brew.
Dec 16, 2015Pours a deep copper with 1/2 finger of white head with good lacing. This batch is a great improvement with elements of malty complexity from Christmas ale and hop flavor and aroma from Elissa. All of this is enhanced thanks to the holiday spices and Snap hops. Fantastic festive brew.
Reviewed by HipCzech from California
3.85/5 rDev +5.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.85/5 rDev +5.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Serving: 1 pint 6 fl oz bottle (11/09/15) poured into a Saint Arnold nonic pint glass.
Appearance: Near clear, warm copper with a frothy head of white foam and streaky lace.
Smell: Toasty grain, caramel, grass and warm spices (cinnamon, nutmeg).
Taste: Malty body with slight dark sugar. Good hop balance throughout, earth, citrus and grass intermingled with cinnamon and nutmeg.
Mouthfeel: Medium to full body, slightly oily and moderately carbonated.
Overall: Very drinkable; suitable malty base with balance between hops and holiday spice.
Dec 06, 2015Appearance: Near clear, warm copper with a frothy head of white foam and streaky lace.
Smell: Toasty grain, caramel, grass and warm spices (cinnamon, nutmeg).
Taste: Malty body with slight dark sugar. Good hop balance throughout, earth, citrus and grass intermingled with cinnamon and nutmeg.
Mouthfeel: Medium to full body, slightly oily and moderately carbonated.
Overall: Very drinkable; suitable malty base with balance between hops and holiday spice.
Reviewed by deltacoog from Texas
4.37/5 rDev +20.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
4.37/5 rDev +20.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Honestly, this year's version (2015) and ratings should cause for a new name. With the addition of new hops and gingerbread aroma and flavors, this beer underwent a welcoming change. It still has the traditional Christmas Ale and Elissa tones but with something extra and special. I'll be picking up some extra bombers over the next few weeks.
Nov 22, 2015
Reviewed by puck1225 from Texas
3.46/5 rDev -4.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
3.46/5 rDev -4.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Poured from a bomber into a pint jar. Clear golden orange, with a decent head but little lacing. Smell is not very evident. Taste is hoppy, floral with some spicy flavors. It is ok, but better Christmas beers out there.
Nov 20, 2015
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