Special Holiday Ale
Stone Brewing

Special Holiday AleSpecial Holiday Ale
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From:
Stone Brewing
 
California, United States
Style:
Winter Warmer
ABV:
9%
Score:
88
Avg:
3.92 | pDev: 10.71%
Reviews:
292
Ratings:
324
Status:
Retired
Rated:
May 08, 2021
Added:
Nov 23, 2008
Wants:
  20
Gots:
  7
A collaboration ale between Jolly Pumpkin / Nøgne-Ø / Stone with chestnuts, juniper berry, white sage & caraway seed and 25% rye malt.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Photo of Sigmund
Reviewed by Sigmund from Norway

4/5  rDev +2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
12 fl. oz. bottle, courtesy of Cardinal Pub & Bar, Stavanger. ABV is 9.0%. Bottle conditioned. Chestnut coloured beer, huge and creamy lasting tan head. Nice aroma of caramel, spices and dark fruits. Rich and full mouthfeel. The flavour is malty, rich and sweet, with loads of spices - but I’d have trouble identifying which ones, if I didn’t know. I would also have guessed that there was some aniseed or liquorice in there. There is a distinct hoppy bitterness and more spices in the finish. Interesting stuff!
May 08, 2021
 
Rated: 3.99 by WOLFGANG from South Carolina

Jan 15, 2018
Photo of strohme2
Reviewed by strohme2 from Michigan

3.88/5  rDev -1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Ruby brown pour with a few floaties. Decent light tan head. Smells like dates, dark fruits. Taste is really great. After the small initial oxidation, the rye and caraway spiciness comes through. Dates, prunes and raisins also. Slick and smooth mouthfeel, no alcohol burn. Medium dry finish. Makes me want another one to try in a couple of years.
Dec 11, 2016
 
Rated: 3.83 by iRun2Beer from Minnesota

Sep 02, 2015
 
Rated: 3.5 by drewone from California

Mar 24, 2015
 
Rated: 3.91 by wethorseblanket from California

Mar 24, 2015
 
Rated: 4 by mrebeka from Michigan

Dec 24, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by Hellpop65 from Kansas

Dec 01, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by olradetbalder from Sweden

Nov 21, 2014
 
Rated: 3.6 by JasonR1975 from Michigan

Oct 13, 2014
 
Rated: 4.25 by bobv from Vermont

Aug 14, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by zestar from California

Jul 19, 2014
 
Rated: 3 by Gonzoillini from Illinois

Feb 15, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by XmnwildX12 from Minnesota

Dec 13, 2013
 
Rated: 4 by Drknight from Virginia

Dec 04, 2013
 
Rated: 4 by GraduatedCashew from California

Oct 16, 2013
 
Rated: 3.5 by moonknight31 from California

Jul 24, 2013
Photo of jvillefan
Reviewed by jvillefan from California

4.55/5  rDev +16.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5
A: Deep amber/brown body with a off white lacy head.

S: There is a bitter bite in the beginning of the aroma. There is a deep caramel and sweet aroma.

T: A nice balance between the bitter hops (citrus and pine) and the malty notes. There is sweet caramel and toffee.

M: Perfect body and carbonation.

O: Great beer. It's a shame it's not going to be brewed again.
Mar 04, 2013
 
Rated: 2.5 by FalconA from Massachusetts

Jan 03, 2013
Photo of jzeilinger
Reviewed by jzeilinger from Pennsylvania

3.9/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Thanks to alelover for sending this one.

A - Pours a cloudy chestnut brown color with a thick, creamy, tan lacing ring and tons of carbonation.

S - Juniper, caraway seeds, mint, mild molasses, plumbs, raisins, and figs.

T - Complex flavor with several layers going on. Juniper and juniper berry stands out the most and is present all the way to the end, light chocolate caramel, caraway, light molasses, dark fruit, and some alcohol effervescence. Everything plays well together and they all hit the palate in layers. Light juniper bitterness plays throughout.

M - Thick, full bodied, rich, and velvety.

O - This one grew on me as I worked my way through the bottle, nice complexity.
Jan 03, 2013
Special Holiday Ale from Stone Brewing
Beer rating: 88 out of 100 with 324 ratings