Pretty Things KK Black Ale

Pretty Things Beer and Ale Project, Once Upon a Time KK Black Ale:
The flavor of this 1901 re-creation brew reminds us of Young's SLA (RIP Ram Brewery, sigh).  We note vanilla ester, a bouillon background, and a tart yeast finish. Also, we get an attenuated treacle flavor,  some pine/spruce notes, and a lasting dry bitterness. Viva beer anachronism science !

HopScholar on flickr

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Find us and join up at http://www.flickr.com/groups/hopscholar/

2012 Holiday Beer Tasting Party

The 2012 holiday beers were sampled, and we are non the worse for wear this morning! Steve reminded me that last night was at least the 12th year for this seasonal brew tradition!



Favorites included Christmas Ale by Brouwerij St. Bernardus, Père Noël by Brouwerij De Ranke, and Three Cranes by local heroes Mystic Brewing. The Noel de Calabaza, an intense sour brew by Jolly Pumpkin, was a pucker-y surprise for several tasters, but there really was no Grinch in the pack of 22 beers.

Here is the full beer list:
5 Golden Rings by The Bruery, CA USA
Celebration Ale by Sierra Nevada Brewing, CA USA
Christmas Ale by Anchor Brewing, CA USA
Gift of the Magi by Lost Abbey, CA USA

Holidale by Berkshire Brewing, MA USA
Three Cranes by Mystic Brewing, MA USA
Winter Ale by Wachusett Brewing, MA USA
Winter Ion by Element Brewing, MA USA

Noel de Calabaza by Jolly Pumpkin, MI USA

Beach Haus Winter Rental by East Coast Beer, NJ USA
Belgian Freeze by River Horse Brewing, NJ USA

Black Chocolate Stout by Brooklyn Brewery, NY USA

Christmas Ale by Sly Fox Brewing, PA USA
Mad Elf Ale by Tröegs Brewery, PA USA

Christmas Ale by Brouwerij St. Bernardus, Belgium
Christmas Ale by Corsendonk, Belgium (inescapable music on this webpage)
Noël Des Géants by Brasserie Des Géants, Belgium
Père Noël by Brouwerij De Ranke, Belgium

Very Bad Elf by Ridgeway Brewing, England UK
Santa’s Swallie by Inveralmond Brewery, Perth UK

The homebrews we poured for this little beer fest:
CC -- our Christmas Belgian triple with Coresndonk Yeast (9%)
BSD -- our Belgian strong dark ale with Brasserie Ellezelloise Yeast (11%)