21st Amendment Brewery 'Fireside Chat' Winter Spiced Ale. 7.9% abv. 45 IBU. Dark red color with thin ivory head that falls to a sustaining collar. Fair retention, moderate lace. Nose of caramel, cloves. Front taste of amber malt, caramel, bright tangy fruit, mild herbal hops. Aftertaste is bitter botanical, cloves, juniper, astringent sustain. Medium body. Mouthfeel is warm, creamy, sticky.
This is a fine winter brew, my first of 2016. Fall and winter beers are usually a treat, and this beer surely comes across as such. It's caramel flavor is supplanted with bright bitter spice notes, all in a body that's sticky, clingy, and a touch boozy. This is not the best nor last winter beer I've had, but it is memorable and worthy of having again. Recommended.
From the brewery:
"Like FDR’s Depression-era radio addresses, which were like a kick in the butt and a hug at the same time, our Fireside Chat is a subtle twist on the traditional seasonal brew. We begin with a rich, dark, English-style ale and then we improvise with spices until we know we have a beer worth sharing with the nation. Fireside Chat is our early winter seasonal brew available from October through December in six pack cans and on draft. Brewed like a classic, warming Strong Ale but with a subtle blend of hand-selected spices for just the right festive flair."
[source: 21st-amendment.com]
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