Claus
Braxton Brewing Company - Braxton Covington

Initial aroma solid with coffee and deep caramel. Clean smooth taste with an ever so subtle peppermint to round out the heaviness of the coco and coffee. Lingers slightly before fading away. Very good beer.

If you ever wanted a peppermint mocha but in beer form, ya got one right here

Who says December is the only time to drink Christmas beer? The brewers at Braxton take the senses back to the best parts of that holiday with a milk stout that creates a stir with peppermint candy from Doscher's for a wintry drink that seems to fit the season all year long.

Dark brown and topped with a creamy eggshell lather, Claus teases the senses with the scent of peppermint that dances gently above the expected chocolate, coffee and fresh roasted nutty aromatics. Sweet on the early palate, its creamy upstart carries a velvety texture across caramel, toffee, chocolate and heavy whipping cream sweetness.

Flavors simmer in the middle palate with the sweetness latching onto the tastebuds with sweet cream, vanilla and caramel. The chocolate and peppermint flavors tie together beautifully, careful not to allow one to get ahead of the other. A slight bitterness arises with the mildest earth, roast and wood flavors from hops pretending to be coffee-like or cocoa-like. A mild kahlua flavor soothes the late palate while the taste trends dessert-like, but its body is remarkably drinkable.

Full bodied but still highly palatable, the senses want to slow down in full appreciation of the savory, rich chocolate and cream flavors. Cookie-like at times, the finish is minty cool and spicy warmth simultaneously for a unique but controlled take on Christmas Ale. A long afterglow of chocolate and peppermint are no surprise.