Craftsman Holiday Brew

Brewed by Craftsman Brewing Co.
Style: Spice/Herb/Vegetable
Pasadena, California USA

Tap at Fathers Office Culver City. A really interesting brew. Aroma of coriander, orange, cloves, very light vinous character. Flavor is very clean for a Holiday beer. Refreshing too, surprisingly.

Draft at O’brien’s. Dark amber with a decent head. Aromas were very sprucy with some banana in there. Flavors were actually quite like banana bread. Yeasty with some banana, nuttiness, and some spice too. Spruce was evident as well. Very good.

On draft at O’Briens. Sits in the glass a dark reddish copper with a thin whitish head that leaves some lacing. Subtle caramel in the aroma, with mor prominent floral and light citrus notes along with a nice spiciness. Rich, spiced caramel malts in the flavor, bitter and astringent spices as well, rich fruitiness, plum, floral and herbal hops. Medium body and gentle carbonation.

Draft @ Father‘s Office A dark golden color with a medium sized off-white head. Big fresh spruce aroma. So fresh like I rubbed my hand on a tree. Very nice. Some spruce in the flavor mixed with good malt. The spruce is strong but it has great balance and flavor. It lets you know it is there but doesn’t overwhelm. That’s what I love about their beers.

On tap at O’Brien’s. This spiced ale pours a medium brown color. Small sized creamy beige head. Aroma is fruity and spicy, touch of banana and clove. A medium bodied spiced ale. Malts are fruity and sweet, touch of root beer, some cinnamon and nutmeg, touch of spruce. Hops are slightly bitter and a touch floral. Nice balance. Very smooth taste. Its a touch crisp and the finish, but mostly fruity and sweet throughout. An interesting winter beer. Mouthfeel is full and round. Finish is clean and smooth. Aftertaste is slightly bitter.

On tap at Pizza Port San Clemente Reddish brown in color this a thin head, this brew has a nice slightly sweet flavor, with hints of spices, along with a nice full moth feel.

On tap at Lucky Baldwins Delirium Cafe 12/3/06: Poursa a transparent deep copper amber with lightly frothy off-white wispy-lacing head. Aroma of sweet caramely malt, some piny spruce and some toasted notes. Body starts with a viscous, full caramel malty sweetness, a touch of grainy notes and a sweeter earthy spruce finish. An interesting and enjoyable holiday brew.

On tap at Lucky Baldwin’s. Pours a brownish golden color with a creamy white head. Sweet and slightly spice aroma with notes of molasses. Tastes of caramel and spice with a nice smoothness. Decent.