LaConner Tannenbaum Ale

Brewed by LaConner Brewing Company
Style: English Strong Ale
LaConner, Washington USA

2003 vintage. Has an exceptionally nice aroma full of juniper, scotch, light alcohol apparency, with some resiny, grassy porter-style roasted malts. Resiny coating, super rich and peaty up front, slightly buzzing the tongue. Great flavor, and the hops are quite evident. Rich and structured and robust without being chewy. 2.5 years old at the time of sampling, and it held up very well. I don’t buy that most mid-to-high strength American ales improve with age, or even hold up well, but this one was amazing with a couple of years.

First rating the numbers were considerabley lower, about 3.7 overall. It was a different experience.

The perfect winter beer. I have been looking hard for a winter beer that actually contains some winter-time qualities, not some overly hopped seasonal brewed for those long winters in Southern California. I'm from the Northwest dammit, I need something to warm my ass. This is initially bitter with a nice flavorful hop presence, but this is soon overshadowed by a wonderful swell of rum and caramel that is reminiscent of egg-nog. My compliments go out to the little brewery over there in LaConner.

A very rich slightly burnt/toasty flavor dominates. Deep red with a lasting head and a nice fruity backbone to offset to toasted malt. Hop are secondary but nicely placed. Thanks Bakersfield Cali Santa

Bottle- Not for the weak of heart. Forgot one opened bottle and next morning the taste was very dampened (like the Chrismas Tree on Boxing Day morning) --- but the hops were completely uneffected (undrinkable but interesting)<g>

Aroma: moss, brown sugar, dark dried fruits, figs, carmel, vanilla, and plums
Appearance: murky brown, small white head, lacing
Flavor: cinnamon, nutmeg, alcohol, dark fruits, plums, dried figs
Palate: smooth, slightly bubbly, brown sugar and carmel aftertaste

12 oz. bottle from 2003 quaffed Jan 2004. Beautiful opaque dark brown hue with a thick viscous head. Very nice lacing. Strong smell of roasted malts, bittersweet chocolate, with a whiff of fresh hop flowers. Medium bodied. Taste is first of dark roasted malts, smoked almonds, with a caramel sweetness. Finishes bittersweet with a blackened malt - alcohol dryness. This brew tastes better closer to room temp than fridg temp. A most excellent old ale. Scores reflect the 2003 bottle. 12 oz. bottle from x-mas 2000 enjoyed Feb 2004; Has a roasted malt and caramel smell. A burnt, sweet caramel, toasted dark malt flavor followed by a bittersweet chocolate alcohol tang . Thick, chewy mouthfeel. Finishes dust bowl dry. This brew was worth the four year wait.

dark brown. malt and sweet sprucy flavors. pretty hoppy - but an even mix between spiciness and bitterness - works out to a nice bite on the finish. some alcohol taste. splits the difference between the malty-sweet seasonal beers and the hopped-over-the-top ones. very warming. excellent winter beer.

Re-Rate 12/7/2002 - Had this beer on tap. This time it had carboation and everything about it was better. Rate 12/5/2002 -Dark amber in color, no head. A thick malty aroma grabs you by the nostrils and screams Christmas! Damit Christmas! Very intersting toffee aroma that can be broken doen into vanilla, caramel, and spice. Sweet flavor with a bitter finish and aftertaste. The low carbonation turns me off a bit. Interesting winter beer. If it had better carbonation I would think everyone should try it.