Jolly Roger Christmas Ale
Maritime Pacific Brewing Company

It's Christmas in February ! This is a find on a number of levels.
First, Maritime is a very interesting. They are the only brewer I know that has an English Strong as their flagship/cash cow. They may be the only micro in the land of the hop-growing Northwest that leans only a little into the AIPA style to stay in business. And Maritime has been doing that for nearly three decades. Now that's Northwest individuality ! And shows significant brewing skill. (And yields very good Overall Hugs.)

Jolly is excellent as a seasonal. While there are traces of holiday spices that contribute to the overall ambience, this Strong is suitable after Ground Hog Day and before Valentine Day (when we are supposed to start to lighten up.) Jolly gives me a big happy head. Smells are mostly malt and holiday spices in the back of my nose. Tastes are well-balanced and interesting and linger with hops playing a minor role... which makes malt-heads like me Jolly. Medium-mouthed to full.

Find Jolly. Drink Jolly. You will enjoy Jolly.

Poured from a 16 ounce can into a snifter.

Look- Deep amber, moderately hazy, no visible particulate, frothy light brown head, above average head retention and lacing.

Smell- Bready, caramel, toffee, piney, grassy, sweet, clove, medium strength of scent.

Taste- Very bready, piney, earthy, sweet, medium strength of flavor.

Feel- Medium body, average carbonation, mildly mouth warming, moderately bitter, moderately astringent.

Overall- Look was a murky deep amber with above average head retention and lacing. Bouquet and flavor was dominated by a bready malt character and a grassy sweetness. Medium body that was mildly mouth warming, but had moderate astringency. This beer was much too malt heavy for my palate.

 

I love this beer. It fills my mouth and is smooth going down. A definite treat!

A solid Christmas/Winter Ale. If I had a complaint, it might be that this beer could pack in a little more flavor. It is definitely a stronger beer than it tastes like though.

 

This is a fantastic regional strong ale for many years now, definitely deserves a higher score. Added bonus to find in cans

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My first impression was that it tasted like a doppelbock or maibock; malty lager with a hint of booze and a crisp finish. I was surprised to see that the brewer classifies it as an English Strong Ale. I was even more surprised to see that they use Chinook, Cascade and Amarillo hops, to the tune of 42 IBU. Can’t taste ‘em. It doesn’t taste like the 9.5% ABV listed on their website, but my buzz after chugging a bottle confirms that it’s a hefty brew.