November 27th, 2006 by Andy
Ladies and gentleman, you’ve heard it here first– not only does Santa make wonderful toys for children, but Jolly Old Saint Nick also brews an excellent beer to boot!
The Rogue Brewery’s Santa’s Private Reserve is a fine belly wash that pours a copper-brownish color with a beautiful head that slowly dissipates revealing a pleasant spicy nose accentuated with sweet malts. The beer has a wonderful roasted malt flavor with a slight peppery taste, which also reveals subtle hints of juniper in the finish. The spicy sweetness of the beer works well and gives it a warming character, which one expects from winter ales.
Santa’s winter wonderland must have an influence on this fine brew as the juniper hints portray a piney mouth feel that is warming and pleasant too. Indeed, for Christmas this year, I’ll be asking Santa to leave a few cases of his Private Reserve under my tree!
