I went shopping at Jungle Jims the other day and as I was walking out of the humidor, I noticed two guys standing at the tasting counter. One was pouring a beer I’ve never seen before into two glass chalices and the other guy was smiling. I butted in with a polite “Hi, that looks interesting.” (nothing like intruders, huh?) The gentleman behind the counter was very hospitable and poured a glass for me. We had a very informative conversation about this beer. Very seldom do I buy a beer where the employees know what they are talking about. In this case, I was the student and the employee was the professor. I wish more beer retailers were like this.
The beer was a YuleSmith Holiday Ale from AleSmith brewery in San Diego, California. (birthplace of the lovely Mrs. Porch) It poured a somewhat cloudy (but not as cloudy as a wheat beer) dark amber. I always like to sniff the beer before I take that important first drink and I could smell the hops as I was lifiting it up to my nose. It had a nice thick tan head that left a fair amount of lacing until the final drink. Most “winter warmers” have a good amount of spices that balance out the malts, but this one seems to have more hops than spices. As it warms to room temperature, the hops and spices come alive and it actually gets better. Next time I think I’ll not put it in the fridge before I drink it. It does leave a dry taste on the palate, more common with IPA’s BUT it held on to the malts and spices that make it a winter beer.
It seems to have the characteristics of many craft brews. A bit cloudy like a wheat beer, very hoppy like an IPA, malty and spicy like a good wintertime beer. There are so many situations for this one, but my recommendation is a good book, a snowy night and a warm fire in the fireplace. I know, I know, you are saying “but they brew it in San Diego.” Well, there are plenty of mountains in southern California, find one. I might suggest Big Bear. This is one of the best Ales I’ve had in a while. I hope they have some left when I go back to Jungle Jims this week, this just may make the Porch dinner table on Christmas eve. It packs a lofty 8.5% ABV so it might be an early turn in for me and Santa would have plenty of time to fill my stocking.
The only foods I can think of that would go with this holiday ale is finger foods. You know, cheese and crackers, a veggie tray, popcorn chicken and definitely shrimp.
P-O-R-C-H rating: H
P.S. Jungle Jims is a multi-cultural grocery store in Fairfield, Ohio, just north of Cincinnati. If you are ever in the area, I would strongly suggest you make the trip there. They have more beers and wines than anywhere I’ve ever been. If it can be got, they will have it.
Posted by Mr. Porch