Frostbite Spice Ale
Beach Chalet Brewery and Restaurant

Enjoyed this one at the Beach Chalet in San Francisco, watching the Pacific crash into the continental shelf. Excellent spot for a beer and a good memory.

Frostbite Spiced Ale is described on the tasting sheet as : "Strong dark ale brewed with barley, wheat cardamom, orange peel and juniper berries."

This beer really picked Beach Chalet up after a string of mildly disappointing crap. Cloudy amber body with a frothy off-white head that showed good retention and lace. Huge spicy aroma, like sniffing a bag of mulling spices before adding it to the wine. Orange peel, ginger, cinnamon and cardamom leap out, and are complimented by caramel and chocolate. The flavour follows suit, and is extremely bold. I'm tempted to say the spicing is overdone, but its the festive seasons so I'll give it a pass. In summary, mulling spices with caramel and bready malts create a good seasonal beer. The body is full and nicely carbonated.

This is a very solid seasonal - intensely spicy, warming and satisfying. The pick of their line-up on my visit.