Bad Santa
Third Street Aleworks

 

 

This is a fairly tasty, evenly balanced beer that is pretty easy to drink and has something other than the usual grapefruit character.

Deep red-brown, it has a small pale tan head that lasts, slowly shrinking to a thin ring and leaving only a hint of lace.

The aroma is malty, caramelly, with hitns of citrus - orange and grapefruit. It's a bit subdued and simple but quite pleasant.

The taste is rather similar, rich caramelly fruity malty with hints of raisin, grapefruit, and orange, alcohol noticeable in only a smooth, warming way. It has definite malt and hop character in good balance and is easy to drink.

Appearance – This is a dark, brownish orange in color but very clear with a nice, dangerous head that left good lacing.

Smell – The West Coast hops are big and fruity but doused with giant malt aromas. They are super-thick and malty, like oodles of caramel, with a noticeable alcoholic bent. It really is one of the most caramelly malt backbones to a DIPA that I’ve had.

Taste – Yes, mouthfulls of caramel with a strong orangy hop bite. The flavors carry on long after the swallow. The sweetness is pure malty goodness.

Mouthfeel – This is a rock solid medium in the body and oily slick along the teeth, picking up chunks of enamel as it passes through the mouth. It’s not overly bitter.

Drinkability – Boy, did this go down well. It is so slick and smooth, and the sharp caramel sweetness glosses over the fact that this is a monster hop bomb over 8% ABV.

Comments - This is a 2005 Reserve.

Strong IPA brewed up for winter holidays on the west coast? Sounds familiar, but this one is a little different.

Mostly orange and red in color, this didn't have any head worth mentioning. The lacing is minor. The smell is subdued and consists of a nice hop and malt balance. Citrus and grapefruit are notably absent. Hops definitely pull through strong in the taste.

This one hides its substantial alcohol content very well.