 badgerben (3584), Blaine, Minnesota, USA
Jan 30, 2009 Growler courtesy of Skyview. Murky brown color with no head. Nutty and toasted malt aroma. Very light spruce flavor. Plenty of sweet malt and some toastiness. Not as bombastic with the spruce as I was hoping for, but an decent porter and a solid send off for the brewery.
JK (2945), Richfield, Minnesota, USA
Jan 9, 2009 Brown color. Some malt and pine. Thin palate, but the pine is there. Good flavor, but not quite up to Alba Pine. They pulled it off well. Thanks to Bob for sharing.
Skyview (4007), Papoose Jct., Minnesota, USA
Dec 14, 2008 On draught at the brewpub in Wausau, Wisconsin. Pours a semi-clear dark cooper brown brew with a creamy off-white head that has some excellent retention and nice lacing. Aroma of roasted nut brown malt, some caramel, roasted hazlenuts, and a touch of pine. Taste is medium bodied, very light carbonation with flavors of roasted caramel malt, some light citrus zest, and a touch of grapefruit. Finish is when I detected the spruce tree seasonings that the brewmaster added for flavor. Of all the Christmas beers I have tried over the years, this is the first and only Christmas beer that actually has a Christmas tree flavor included. On a side note, Hereford and Hops, Wausau location will be closing on December 31, 2008 making this beer their last specialty beer.
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