12 Days of Christmas – 2019 Style!

@PA-Michigander is a MAD MAN!! He dropped a box on me this morning with another wrapped bottle AND some killer “extras”. These are headed to the fridge now and I’ll open this with the other Day 6 bottle tomorrow. Thanks, Nick!

 

Both those beers fuck hard! Nice work @RuckIt!!!

 

On Day 9, I invited the local Locals over for a share. Thanks @UcDru, @KyleDavis, @PassMeAZima, @Corriecrafts, and @PeterR for all the beers and great times! Day 9 started off with a bang, courtesy of @dannyfayy. I am sorry for just now posting! But in my defense, last night was a wild night! The beer poured a thiccc black with a quickly dissipating dark tan head.


Based on the bottle size, the glittered gold wax, the fact Pete drank this beer on Christmas Eve, and the fact we had all seen this beer opened on this thread before (@sembo cracked it for sure), we were certain this was Early Times Hot Garbage. And we were right. This beer fucks hard. It had notes of chocolate, dark roast coffee, vanilla, dark fruit and even some anise/spice... so complex and thick.
I also had 2 wrapped bottles that were earmarked for when I drank with Pete (pic 1 below) and Zima (pic 2 below). They were poured and unwrapped before I could get a pic of them wrapped.

Woodford Double Oaked Hot Garbage! We all agreed this one wasn't as great as the Early Times, which is ironic considering we all agree that we like Woodford DO better than Early Times from a whiskey perspective. To me the barrel was just too overbearing for the awesome aspects of the beer I noticed on the Early Times. It still had that thick body and roasty malt characteristics, but wasn't nearly as complex. It was still good, but the Early Times was a notch or 2 above this one. I am glad I got to try them SxS!!! Thanks Danny!


Bourbon Barrel Aged Zangief! Holy shit this was good, even after almost 2 years. This has been a wishlist beer of mine since it released 2 Januarys ago. This beer was also very thick and fudgy. It had notes of dark chocolate, vanilla, caramel and oak. There was some bourbon there too, but I feel like it was less barrel forward (and more balanced maybe) than the port BA I had earlier in the 12 DoX and the rye BA Dru shared with me a few months back at a Bearcats tailgate. This beer lived up to all the expectations I had for it!


A big thanks to you, @dannyfayy, for making this an awesome 12 DoX so far! You are a madman and I love it! Cheers buddy!

 

On the 8th day of Christmas, @robgage gave to me a dirty funky lambic....



I picked up the white grapes at first, but the lower carbonation threw me off the trail. I first guessed Tilquin Squared based on the slightly higher than usual acidity, but then it was revealed to be...



Pinot Gris Tilquin, confirming my original hunch. I really loved this one, and it was a new tick for me. Thanks a bunch, Rob! #L4L

 

As Merv mentioned, a bunch of us from the Great State of Ohio got together with a few heathens from Kentucky to share some beers and low fives.

I brought these dusty old turds from my basement so that I wouldn't have to drink them all by myself.





Neither of these was 12DoX related, but both were delicious and shared by 6 participants @mervmurry @Corriecrafts @PeterR @PassMeAZima @UcDru and myself.

Quick back-story, there was a charity raffle to benefit a brewer in Lexington, KY last winter, and I won these. @PassMeAZima picked them up for me, and I had been looking for a time to share them with friends.

 

Roll was an 8 for Day 9 at @mervmurry 's place with @Corriecrafts @PassMeAZima @KyleDavis and @PeterR



The coconut and chocolate came through as it warmed. Very subtle barrel tons of dark caramelized sugar but not sticky sweet.


Modern times rum ba Chaos Grid yum!

Day 9B

Bottle logic nice barrel in the nose and strong coffee up front. The faintest of vanilla in the finish doesn't taste familiar but it is really good


Bottle logic Mikeller Beer Geek observation another banger thanks @campa86 !

 

And for yesterday's Day 9 beer from @robgage, another SARA banger, this time with all the botanicals.

The aroma here was pretty complex and smelled like Bath & Body Works in the best possible way.



It's another one I wouldn't be able to guess, but revealed to be Birdsong Platitudes.



Excited for Day 10 later today! Thanks, Rob! #L4L

 

When you start to write up your day 5 post and realize you haven't posted day 4 yet...my apologies @MTKAMr on the delay. Without further ado, day 4.

Pours jet black with minimal carb, heavy barrel presence, floaties likely indicating coconut, and chocolate aromas.

https://imgur.com/a/J5IswYu

Drinks beautifully with the aromas moving right to the palate. Sweet, bourbon, coconut for sure. And the reveal

https://imgur.com/a/9EXv822

German chocolate Helms Deep by Three Taverns. Incredible, decadent, and delightful day 4

 

Okay FedEx finally delivered a 3rd box with more extras which all could have been days from @treznor after a couple of weather related delays.



This is way over the top. Thanks so much Mike!

 

Glad you've enjoyed all so far Eddy. I like to think I saved the best for last, but we all know beer can be subjective! Cheers

 

Day 10 brings two wrapped 12 oz bottles. Both are wrapped in the same paper, so it’s a game of eenie meenie minnie mo to choose the bottle.


The cap is covered in tape, so no hint there. I’m getting some vanilla on the nose and taste as well as some barrel, but have no idea what @PassMeAZima has in store for me.


Blackstone Black Belle with Coconut. I didn’t get coconut...even after knowing, I swear I’m getting vanilla. Thanks Jason!

 

Bruiseberry is phenomenal! I almost sent one of those to my DOX recipient. Yeah honeypot has made some real bangers.

 

That looked like a really fun party! I was jealous because you were having way more fun than I was.

 

Sorry @Dan_K for only slacking.

day 7 was awesome. Jammy b1. Incredible beer.

 

@Dan_K day 8

delicious. Straight barrel no adjuncts.

 

Day 9 big time want. Weldwerks and Casey collab!!

 

The Burial beers were released to late to include as Days. The Noches I wanted to but ran out of room/forgot I had them set aside to go in the box. Sorry the weather didnt cooperate. I'd hoped to have them to you by day 7 to give you some options!

 

Day 9. Drank these yesterday but didn't post the pics.

FIrst up is 9a. Nose was definitely peanut butter and the taste followed. Very smooth and silky. Peanut butter is tough to do well and this was enjoyable.

Next up is 9b which turns out to be an imperial stout with sponge candy. Even drinking the beer, I'll be honest, I can't tell you what sponge candy is or tastes like beyond tasting like a stout.

Thanks @timmy2b

 

Day 10.

Given the bottle size and the nose, I can tell what this is from the smell alone. Northwoods without a doubt. Taste starts as almonds and the blueberry comes out even more as it warms.

Bingo!! thanks for sharing @valrxman

 

It's really a strong ale because it's BB Neckbeard Nectar stout blended w/Parker Heritage Rye aged barleywine so it's stout adjacent

 

Okay I'm on to Day 10 from @treznor. I can say it's a 750ml bottle with a plain black cap.
So we are on to the first pour, after popping the cap it hit right off this isn't a dark beer. This has that Saison nose. First pour is light and well fermented. The nose is clean I'm not getting any fruit that I can find.

Okay I'll say Saison no fruit but thats where I end. Have no clue to the beer or the brewery. So on to the reveal.

Okay I got the beer right. This is Jealousy and Murder a Colab between Burial and Blackberry Farm Brewery. A great change of pace Mike and much enjoyed!

 

That 2010 Fou was the tits! Thanks for sharing @KyleDavis

 

Today's beer poured blind.

Stout with definite chocolate, pastry most likely. Really thick and enjoyable. Don't get any barrel but man this is good. Can't quite pin down what the brewery or beer is. After asking for a hint girl friend. "collaboration from 2 breweries we've visited". Roladex running through my head and o come up with "our cake is a lie" from parish/the answer.


This is a surprise coming from @Bum4ever and a pleasant one. Thanks!

 

Figured I would finish off the last of the canned extras (only an 18% stout that scares the crap out of me left). All of the hops were great, thanks again @Franfab



Hey @Dad_of_Rad hope me and @tsgooch79 didnt bury you. It looks like the 12 sided die selected all the lower abv the first 5 days, and you haven’t been heard from since.

 

Moved on to an extra from the new box from @treznor This Houtenhammer from Burial Brewing. Really good double barrel aged stout.

Thanks Mike this is really good!

 

@Lazhal Its a local delicacy that I personally don't like as a candy but do like in the Imperial Stout I sent ya! Cheers.

https://watsonschocolates.com/product/sponge-candy/

 

Antoinettes is better

 

Day 10 brings lambic.



This is incredible. I get tart cherries, my wife got raspberries. We argued.

Ended up we both were right.



Hommage! It's pretty damn awesome and crazy generous. Thanks @sj3324

 

Day 10 is a weird shaped bottle but I've seen this cap before


It's been quite a while since I've had Yellow Rose which this must be since it's an IPA & I don't know anything else that Lone Pint makes


Boom, got that one correct! Thanks @sirhc3034

 

Bottle #2 for Day 10 brings another 12 oz bottle which I’m going to assume is another Blackstone


I’m pretty sure there’s an adjunct but I can’t quite place it. After doing some research, there appears to be a Black Belle with honey, which I guess is the adjunct I’m getting.



I guess I got it, but would’ve never guessed it had honey. Thanks again @PassMeAZima !!

 

Cheers @Kylo76 , just going to move this over here...

I felt bad about all the delivery delays, so I included a couple of extra days for you.

 

Haha I posted in the wrong page of course...

 

@mnbearsfan Day 10 offering is a 750ml bottle. Solid black top. No hints again. Pours dark with little head retention. Got to be a stout, right? The nose totally has me thrown off. Some barrel and something else. Maybe peanuts? I’m totally confused with this one. First sip is very in line with the nose. As it warms I get much more peanut and subtle barrel notes. Only guess is a Peanut better Stout of some kind? I only guess this because a brewery in Austin makes one and this has some minor resemblance. Reveal time...
Montgomery Brewing - Yippie Skippy Barrel Aged Peanut butter porter. Very cool beer. Thanks @mnbearsfan !

 

Still playing catch up, starting with day 9 from @Nichols33:

Plain silver cap so I grab my Hill glass, but no plastic stopper, so maybe I am off. Pour brings a little funk and a little tart, and something else I can't place. This definitely has that HF feel and smell to it. Not sure which one it is, but its delicious.


Damn, should have guess this one. Now that I know to look for honey, its pretty obvious. I am drinking this slow and really enjoying it, thanks a ton Jeff!

 

My Day 9 was another wish list bottle! I had a good idea this was the Voodoo Maple Baltic Porter as soon as I saw the wax.

one sip and I knew I was right. This was even better than the other version I had on day 8. So good I forgot to take a picture with beer in the glass.

I had my day 9 spirit pour to celebrate the 49ers division title. It was Willet 4 year rye. It was a bit harsher than some of the other pours, but still tasty. I also forgot a pic. I’ll do better on day 10. Thanks again @Swcreed013 ’

 

Day 10 stout from @core42



Dark pour, chocolate, vanilla, maple, so much going on here! Definite barrel character as well!



Sitting back and watching the new season of Letterkenny, so Hello Barkness My Old Friend really fits in with Letterkenny's dog logo. This is some good drinkin! Cheers Jeff!

 

I can't see the wax so I can't see if it's BA or not. Either way a great beer!

 

Whatever it is, it's pretty damn good!

 

Day 10 from @Dicers , he is really spoiling me as I see the plain silver cap and feel like another Hill Farmstead bottle is coming. Pop the cap, yep cap checks out, funk is coming through.

I’m not getting any fruit, but tons of wine barrel coming through. Given my lack of inexperience with the brewery I cannot venture a guess as to what this is, but it’s very good!


Civil disobedience blend 24. This beer is awesome. Thanks Seth!

 

Day 10 courtesy of @NJB145

Rip off just the tip and reveal purple wax.



Get some vanilla on the nose. First sip, a little bit of bourbon, then heat. Lots of spice. Going to let this sit and warm.

After a bit of a rest, come back and heat is still very dominant. Outside of vanilla on nose, I’m not picking up anything else other than heat and a little barrel. I saw at least one of these earlier in the bif and reading the description of Grand Negro Voodoo Papi, I’m confident it’s one of those. But I can’t pick out which barrel.



Grande Negro Voodoo Papi Aged in Maple Syrup Bourbon Barrels. Nice treat! Glad I was able to share, would have been tough to do whole bottle.

Thanks Nate!