Rogue Ales Santa’s Private Reserve 2017 Belgian Strong Dark Ale at 7.8% ABV | 36 IBU (C$10.29 at Quarry Park Calgary Co-Op, 650 ml, no packaging date or best before, acquired 12-Dec-2017, reviewed 18-Dec-2017)
Appearance: clear amber-brown with a thin rocky beige head, good retention and soapy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: tart cherry & raspberry, candi sugar, Belgian yeast esters and mild phenols. (7/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate bitter, mild tart. (7/10) Palate: medium body, moderate carbonation, off-dry mildly tart finish. (4/5)
What? I’m trying to get into the spirit of the season, OK? (Or, barring that, get the spirits of the season into me.) And this is *miles* better than the last vintage I had of this, an anaemic American Amber in 2014. Cleanly tart cherry and raspberry dominate, with a candi sugar character that doesn’t come through as overly sweet on the tongue. The finish tends dry and mildly tart, inviting the next sip. Really solid seasonal beer. (15/20)
7.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
