Stone/Nøgne Ø/Jolly Pumpkin Special Holiday Ale

Brewed by Stone Brewing Co.
Style: Spice/Herb/Vegetable
Escondido, California USA

Bottle. Moderate malt aromas of grain, cereal, and caramel, moderate herbs for the hops, light yeast note of earth, with brown sugar, alcohol, gin and a vague hint of spice. Head is small, creamy, light brown with fair lacing and good legs, and is fully diminishing. Color is slightly hazy brown. Flavor starts moderately bittersweet and lightly acidic, then the extra-long finish is lightly sweet and acidic and moderately bitter. Palate is medium to full, dry, with a soft to lively carbonation and finishes moderately alcoholic and very dry. A great holiday ale with a good malt backbone and perfect hops to balance it out

12 oz bottle from Stone Brewing World Bistro store: Deep burgandy-brown color with a small beige head that fades to a halo of foam. Flavor starts dark fruit (raisin) sweet malt some burnt caramel and a nutty light stout bitterness. Medium-full body iscreamy with moderate carbonation.

Considering my first experience with Nogne-O was memorable in all the wrong ways possible, the prospect of trying yet another Nogne-O beer is rather intimidating. At least, to some people it may. Personally though, a beer I haven’t tried yet is just that, and thus needs to be tested, tried, and hopefully savored with much relish.

Known simple as their Special Holiday Ale, she pours a murky brown with a nicely formed head rich with soft tan hues. Lace speckles the sides of my glass while rustic copper glints at me from the bottom where more light peers through. Quite the romantic first meeting, if I do say so myself. Wafting seductively from her nose to mine is a sweet and spicy perfume of nutmeg, ginger, juniper, prunes, and raisins. Our first embrace is medium-bodied with nutmeg, ginger, and warm winter spices. Mingling throughout her palate is a definite presence of juniper which, even though I am not a huge fan of gin, is most enjoyable in their Special Holiday Ale. Dark prunes moist and fresh soften her spice-forward nature as she slowly dries my palate. Fresh lemon zest and crunchy bitter nuts creep into her finish, nipping playfully at my tastebuds. Each quaff is highly enjoyable, and I have to give the brewmasters at Stone, Jolly Pumpkin, and Nogne-O props for this delightful Special Holiday Ale. As I savor my last quaff, my breath exudes warmth tinged with spice and juniper.

It is easy to understand why Christmas and the winter holiday season is the most anticipated beer season. There is no limit to the quantity or variety of beers awaiting a beer aficionado’s quaffing enjoyment. While a few may disappoint, far too many to count will delight, and I can say with experienced assurance that the Special Holiday Ale is one of those. Made even more special by the three breweries involved, we may not see another Special Holiday Ale next year so if you have a chance to find one, take her home with you to savor and enjoy.

Bottle. Deep dark brown pour. Short tan head. Aroma is very unique. Lots of spices coming out of this. I can pick up the chestnuts, juniper and perhaps sage but I’m not getting the caraway. Yet. I’m not big on overly spiced beers but the aroma on this is rather nice. More like a meal than a beer. Taste is spicy with more sage notes, strong nuttiness, caramel, light chocolate, sweet malts, and some herbal flavors. Would never guess this is 9% ABV. Body is thick and rich. Rather chewy with soft carbonation. Ends with more spices, chocolate, creamy malt, caramel, cocoa, and herbal notes. Very good!

A nice dark brown color with massive brown tinted white head. Aroma of juniper and sage and a mild nuttiness. The chestnuts dominate a malty body with the caraway and sage providing a nice balance. A piney bite on the finish. Easily the best beer from Stone I’ve ever tried that didn’t have a few years of age on it.

Dark brown appearance with an off white head. Aroma is mostly spices with some hops. Taste is prominent spice with some caramel malt. Hops are present but aren’t as noticeable with the spices. A little sweet in the finish, but not too strong for the abv. Overall, pretty good, definitely interesting but I didn’t love it.

12oz bottle. Pours reddish brown with brown head. Aroma floral hops and spice. Taste bitter hops, malt and spice with bitter finish.

Bottle. Pours very dark, near black with a ring of foam. It is pleasingly aromatic. Low level of spices for a beer which is advertised as being spiced. hints of anise, licorice and the good kind of vegetal character are here. What an interesting flavor. The spices are certainly more pronounced now, with caraway most noticed by my tongue, but still not overdone.The palate is kind of fizzy which is weird for the heaviness of the malts and the flavor profile. The finish is light, though it lingers something like gin. Pretty interesting beer. I’d probably like it more during Christmas.