Kern River Holiday Ale 2007

Brewed by Kern River Brewing
Style: American Strong Ale
Kernville, California USA

Bottle shared with blankboy, HogTownHarry & garthicus - HogTownHarry’s bottle. Deep copper with a huge off-white head. Aroma of condied tropical fruit, sweet malt, caramel, and some grapefruit. Medium bodied. Flavour of mild spice, grapefruit, pineapple and caramel, with a solidly hopped finish. Quite good.

(22oz bottle) 2007 batch. Courtesy of IrishBoy of California. Pours a lasting, beige creamy foam head with a bronze body. Huge nose of figs. Really a surprise as many "Christmas Ales" are watery duds - this is very flavourful. Very chewy, good bitter orange hop base. Leafy, malt lingers. Liking this brew! 7/4/8/3/16

<i>Bottle (22oz) shared with GregClow, HogTownHarry & garthicus -- courtesy of HogTownHarry.</i> Pours a hazy orange-copper with a large frothy off-white head. Aroma’s a bit stale, sweet and dry along with dark fruit and light spices. Flavour of caramel malt, light spices, hops and dark fruit. Medium bodied. I found this decent.

Bottle in trade from Odeed. Thanks man. Pours a dark brown clear color with a light beige head. Smell is balance red ale like maltiness and hops. Hoppy bright red ale like malty flavor with a solid dosing of hops. Flavorful, yet simple. Alcohol is hidden and doesnt detract at all. Enjoyable holiday beer without a lot of spice flavor.

Bottle (22oz). Shared by blankboy with me, garthicus and GregClow. Clear ruby pour with an average creamy off-white head. Very dry aroma, reminded me of somewhat mouldy leaves - peppery, with a hing of funky yeast, while underlying it all nice sweet malt. The taste does seem a little thin, even stretched (possibly an tad old?) - seemed a bit like sweetened cold tea with funky yeast - still nice. No lack of carbonation, this is one had vigorous, astringency on the tongue, leaving a spicy dry aftertaste. Very good, my notes say "almost like a roasty, mild orval clone"

HogTownHarrys bottle that he got from Irishboy in a trade. Slainte lads. Appearance: Deeo dark muddy brown with a huge white/cream head. Aroma: Wheaty, creamy and some malt in there too. Flavour: Wow - dry, malty, some hops, bitter and with some alcohol, I detected a slight apple flavour in the finish. Very enjoyable.

Dark amber colour. Plummy dark fruitiness but some some apricot in the nose alongside brown sugar and toffee. Mellow, soft malts and strong dark fruit notes. Well-balanced. I didn’t pick up any rye but I almost never do.

22 oz bottle thanks to irish boy... nice rye flavor and now the hops have faded away and tastes like a nice strong ale.....actually kinda nice