Elise Navidad
Schnitz Ale Brewery

Poured from a twelve ounce can , the body is a medium brown with a light tan head. Modest lacing.

Aroma and taste are dominated by the spice mix: lots of cinnamon, clove and nutmeg. The malty base is sturdy but a bit overpowered by the spices.

Mouthfeel is medium with strong carbonation.

12 oz can, pours a deep, dark chestnut brown with a TON of activity. That is some vigorous bubbling, like a science experiment. The head was short and didn't last for me. No doubt that was my fault. The aroma, however, is where it's at if you like winter warmers. It's all cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, the works. Taste is similar. It features a prominent spice mixture atop a solid, malty backbone. It is quite warming when it hits the stomach. It finishes with a touch of earthiness and vegetation that rounds out the sweetness a bit. Mouthfeel, it's mid in body and carbonation, which is ideal here. Feels a bit sticky despite being so smooth and crisp.

This is a good addition to a local scence that tends to be dominated by two particular brews.

Poured out of a 12 oz. can into one of my goblet glasses, this beer pours a clear, dark amber/copper color w/ an off-white head that's about half an inch thick when first poured. Head eventually settles to a thick ring lining the inside of the glass along w/ a thick ring lining the inside of the glass along w/ some cluster swirls of surface foam on the beer's surface. Not much lacing here. Aromas of some toasted, caramel, bready malts along w/ hints of cinnamon, nutmeg , and ginger. The taste is quite similar, with the aforementioned toasted, bready caramel malt sweetness that gives way to nice notes of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and a bit of spruce tips. Rounded out w/ a touch of earthy hops. The flavors are well balanced. Has a crisp, also smooth, somewhat frothy, slightly sticky, medium bodied mouthfeel with moderate carbonation. All of the flavors linger nicely on my palate for awhile after each sip. A good beer here.

Eric

 

 

 

Poued a medium amber into an imperial pint from a pint can. Lovely 2 inch frothy head with great retention and nice lacing.

The smell is really nice. The allspice, cinnamon, nutmeg , and ginger are all prominent and nicely balanced. It just smells festive.

The taste comes with a caveat. While the can says "keep cold," this is best enjoyed at just below room temperature. Consumed cold, the spices all but vanish, despite the strong aroma. Warmed up, they're present without overpowering the beer. Not sweet, not bitter. Just enough of a hop kick to give it some personality.

Mouthfeel is medium, as is the carbonation.

Overall, a very good Christmas brew if you like the traditional baking spice profile - and the brown ale base is a departure from 12 dogs or Great Lakes Christmas Ale.