Christmas Ale 2005
Back Road Brewery

Originally reviewed on January 27, 2007. 12 Oz Bottle. A curl of nutty smoke rises from the glass and joins some blows of alder smoked deer meat and a hint of seared caramel. Dark mahogany pour, blended with a tawny rim. Beautiful crisp flavor. Composition bringing in gentle smoky ashes and sweet pig fat candies and barbecue sauce on the grill. Melding into the roast malt is the sweet caramels, infused with musky sage. Sea salt appears in the mix and makes a great dimension component. Hints of charred beef edges and waxy marzipan appear towards the back. A very nicely nuanced and beautifully constructed beer. Fantastic. I’m really glad to have had the opportunity to try this beer.