Barrel Aged Frosted Frog Christmas Ale - Hoppin' Frog Brewery

jampics2

Ohio

4.6/5  rDev +19.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

22oz bomber into a stemmed Christmas glass. Purchased at Hoppin' Frog earlier today!

The beer is a dark color, somewhere between brown and mahogany with some ruby highlights and a touch of gold on the bottom. I initially thought the beer was opaque, as it was sitting on the table in-front of me, but I quickly learned it is not when I held it to the light and a bright scarlet and plum colored liquid was observed. A nice one-finger white head crowned the beautiful body, but quickly slipped away. Little lacing is left behind. There's some active carbonation noted towards the top. Overall, this is much better looking than the average Winter Warmer.

The first smell scared me. The initial combination of bourbon and cinnamon reminded me of one of two things: red hots or Goldschläger. Upon closer examination, more intricate notes start to emerge. Some ginger and nutmeg start to play more of a role, with the former almost dominating as the beer warms. There is some sweet brown sugar qualities from the malt that leave a gingerbread impression. The typical oak, vanilla and bourbon smells of the barrel are lost to some extent, but the expression from the spice is remarkable albeit slightly one-dimensional.

Frosted Frog is one of the most original and multifaceted tasting holiday beers I've ever had. The dominant cinnamon in the nose somehow takes a backseat to the nutmeg in the taste, which allows the barrel to shine through. Once the initial rush of spices and bourbon dissipates, some sweet malt peaks then the nutmeg serves as the rails on the sleigh, landing this into a snowdrift of oak, vanilla and coconut. Some booze is noted as well, but it's buried in an avalanche of flavor. The beer has to earn a 5 for taste because it's the definition of exceptional.

There's a medium bodied beer with some notable viscosity here, but the carbonation both allows the beer to feel creamy and lightly accentuates the flavors with a mild zing. The duality of the carbonation is something rarely seen, and it allows this beer to feel lighter than it should. Lingering notes of oak, vanilla and toasted coconut make this aftertaste a winner. As for drinkability, I'm making an assumption; this beer is meant to be shared with friends. Finishing a whole bottle by oneself wouldn't be impossible but the spices may go to your head and cause rosiness of the cheeks and a jovial disposition.

Serving type: bottle

12-04-2010 16:08:03 | More by jampics2

paco1029384756

Illinois

4.47/5  rDev +15.8%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Bottle thanks to tapoutjoe.

Pours a dark burgundy color with a small off white head and an even ring of lacing.

Scent of sweet ginger, spicy nutmeg, sugar, caramel, earth, cinnamon, and mild whiskey. This is on par with or better than the base beer. I have never had a beer that has reminded me so much of Christmas, and the mild barrel characteristic adds to the depth. It smells like a craft store; it's unreal how perfectly this matches the holiday.

Taste of ginger and nutmeg initially, more dry spices and faint bourbon come in towards the finish. As with BORIS, the base beer is excellent and the short aging in a barrel makes it even better. The finish is dry with strong hints of wood and a touch of caramel. This beer tastes like Christmas cheer and nostalgia, and the touch of Bourbon is great.

Mouthfeel is medium heavy bodied with a fairly strong carbonation.

Serving type: bottle

12-26-2010 04:13:08 | More by paco1029384756

AdamP_Milwaukee

Wisconsin

4.45/5  rDev +15.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

22OZ bottle I took out of my cellar today and poured into a clean tulip, though I have had this beer several times before.

A- Pours reddish brown, and is a very pretty beer in the glass. White head doesn't last long. Try to get a few sips in while it is there, for sure.

S- I think this is simply one of the best smelling beers there is. The smell may not translate directly to the taste, but the nose is perfect. Ginger, clove, nutmeg, spice, and booze. Wonderful. Smells like a hot toddy.

T-This one was a bit thicker than I remember it. A Xmas novelty that maybe wouldn't translate to a session beer, but a nice treat. Spicy, and boozy...it's Xmas in a bottle. Not bitter at all.

M-Like I said, I remember it being a little thinner and lighter, but this was more like Belgian strong with spices added. A bit thick, but still pleasant.

O-I Really like this beer as a treat. I bought like a half dozen bottles from my local store when they where there to add to the cellar. Every now and then I get a hankering for one, and I will be sad when they are gone. Maybe a little less than "world-class", but still a fantastic beer and a real fun one to drink.

Serving type: bottle

05-19-2013 05:11:13 | More by AdamP_Milwaukee

adamette

Ohio

4.43/5  rDev +14.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Live review. Poured from the 1 pint, 6 oz. bomber bottle that I bought at Save-On Tobacco & Beverage a week or so ago into a clean, clear Voodoo Brewery pint glass. There is no remaining price tag and I do not recall the price. No observed "best by" date either.

A Dark copper/amber translucent body under a nice, 1.5 inch very light brown creamy head after a vigorous pour (a gentle pour was leaving no head initially). Good look. 4.0

S Sweet malt and "Christmas" spices under a Whiskey canopy. Very little hops detected here. Smells delicious. 4.0

T Big, sweet beer with all of the qualities detected in the smell. Big malt sweetness, "Christmas" spices under the influence of the whiskey. It is an interesting, very big beer. 4.5

M As mentioned, this is one big beer with big sweet malt which is syrup like in its size and scope. 4.0

D/O Drinkability is actually pretty good for such a big beer and elevated ABV (to 8.6% mind you). Overall this is a fine beer. 4.5

Serving type: bottle

12-09-2012 03:57:39 | More by adamette

schoolboy

Ohio

4.28/5  rDev +10.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

I first tasted this along with the regular Frosted Frog and some others at a tasting a little while back at Save On in Mentor. It impressed me and I bought a couple bottles for today.

It pours with little head or lacing. The color is a nice clear dark brown.

It smells like a Christmas desert. Lots of cinnamon and nutmeg. At the tasting I felt that the bourbon taste helped balance the sweet and spicy taste. Today that seems less so, but on that previous tasting I was comparing it with the non-barrel aged, which was very sweet and spicy.
I don't normally like barrel aged beers, but this one works.

The aftertaste is overbalanced with the sweetness, but that doesn't detract from the treat. Overall this is a wonderful xmas ale and a great holiday treat.

Serving type: bottle

12-25-2012 19:24:21 | More by schoolboy

mikesgroove

South Carolina

4.22/5  rDev +9.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

brown with only slight bits of light coming through to change it from a back note. a huge tan head then rose up from the depths and settled across the top of the glass. really just a thick look to it.

the aroma was boozy, with lots of peat and smoked malts that really filled the air. hints of molasses, chocolate, rich caramel and dark fruits all make their presence known. with the thickness of a milkshake the first sips slide over the palate doing their best to coat it

Serving type: bottle

11-23-2011 23:44:59 | More by mikesgroove

deuce9259

Ohio

4.2/5  rDev +8.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

A: Amber/copper color, not much head. Poured from a 22 oz. bottle.

S: Good smell, a lot of spices in the nose along with the whiskey.

T: Haven't had the regular Hoppin Frog Christmas Ale, but I enjoyed this bottle a good bit. Lots of spices and I thought it blended well with the whiskey.

M: Medium body. You can get different flavors out of it as it warms up.

O: I enjoyed this beer. Haven't had anything sub-par from Hoppin Frog. Others don't seem to enjoy the spices as much, but I though it was pretty standard for your Christmas Ale.

Serving type: bottle

01-15-2012 16:55:29 | More by deuce9259

mcallister

Ohio

4.1/5  rDev +6.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Hazy chestnut with a minimum off white head that fades quickly leaving little lace, but a nice layer of foam.

Wonderful aromas. Still huge amounts of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and more like the non barrel aged version. But this has a wonderful layer of bourbon, vanilla, and wood. Just huge spicy nose, loads of effervescent complex aromas.

Delicious medley of basically what the nose suggests. Huge spice, with a great aging quality of the bourbon and wood. Thick chewy malt, toffee and caramel, baked bread, fruit bread, slightly sweet on the finish. Good carbonation and a creamy moutheel. Anxious to see how one ages down.

Serving type: bottle

12-22-2011 22:06:56 | More by mcallister

womencantsail

California

4/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours sort of a murky amber color with a small off-white head. Nose is quite fruity with lots of plums and raisins. It’s also very spicy. Great nutmeg, all spice, and cinnamon. Plenty of caramel, brown sugar, and some vanilla. The flavor is rich and sweet. Huge caramel and brown sugar flavors, tons of dark fruit notes, and a wonderful spice character. The cinnamon and all spice really come through nicely.

Serving type: bottle

08-07-2012 16:12:04 | More by womencantsail

bittermestupid

Ohio

4/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours dark ruby brown with a nice 1/2" thick beige head. Smells of nutmeg, cinnamon, brown sugar, vanilla, oak and touch of raisin, it reminds me of french toast and a hint of booze. The flavors are nicely balanced and the barrel isn't over bearing. Cinnamon, brown sugar, vanilla, raisin, slight cherry note and some booze. Palate is medium and it finishes spicy but well rounded with a nice vanilla notes from the barrel aging.

Serving type: bottle

11-17-2012 15:56:27 | More by bittermestupid

akk101

Ohio

3.98/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Overall a good combination of barrel age and Christmas ale. Barrel age flavor is up front followed by the spices of the Christmas ale. I would've liked to see those two flavors blend together more. Little to differentiate between their regular Christmas ale label wise. Sometimes it's easy to mix up the regular and barrel age versions of Hoppin Frog on the retail shelf. Nice twist to the typical spiced Christmas ales.

Serving type: bottle

11-26-2011 05:15:04 | More by akk101

Hopdaemon39

Massachusetts

3.98/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a 22 oz bottle into a pint glass- pours a clear, dark mahogany color with a reddish tint. Pours with very little head (mocha colored while in existence), leaves no lacing and no retention.

Smell is very round, sweet and spicy. Smells like a gingerbread house with some booze and vanilla frosting. Ginger comes through more than the other spices.

Taste is interesting- almost doesn't taste like newer to me but the bourbon notes and slight booziness remind me that this is a malt beverage. Lots of bready malt, ginger, nutmeg, cinnamon, vanilla, bourbon-esque booze notes. Finished sweet.

Mouthfeel is typical for the style. Medium fuller body, moderate carbonation, smooth feel. This is a nice one, better than the regular variety. However, too much spice for my taste.

Serving type: bottle

11-22-2012 05:04:09 | More by Hopdaemon39

superspak

Michigan

3.95/5  rDev +2.3%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

22 ounce bottle into tulip glass, 2012 bottling. Pours fairly clear deep red amber color with a 1 finger foamy off white head with good retention, that reduces to ring of lace that lingers. Minimal spotty lacing on the glass. Aromas of caramel, raisin, brown sugar, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, bourbon, toast, light oak, and light herbal. Damn nice aromas with great balance and complexity of malt, spices, and barrel notes. Taste of raisin, caramel, brown sugar, toast, cinnamon, bourbon, ginger, allspice, nutmeg, light oak, and herbal. Lingering notes of dark fruit, caramel, brown sugar, cinnamon, bourbon, ginger, allspice, nutmeg, and herbal on the finish for a good bit. Very nice flavor balance and complexity of malt/spice/barrel notes; with zero cloying flavors present after the finish. Medium carbonation and fairly full bodied; with a slick and fairly creamy mouthfeel that is good. Alcohol is very well hidden with only a slight warming noticed after the finish. Overall this is a damn nice Christmas ale. Great balance and complexity of malt and spice flavors with moderate barrel character; and very smooth to sip on. A very enjoyable offering.

Serving type: bottle

01-31-2013 04:01:16 | More by superspak

PittBeerGirl

Pennsylvania

3.93/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Picked up a case of various Hoppin Frog brews with a hop of getting back into reviewing. This is a very appropriate Christmas brew for today.

A- Body is a medium reddish brown hue with ruby showing through. Uniform moderate cloudiness/translucency. Pours with a minimal creme brulee colored head that almost immediately fades to a thin collar. No lacing is left down the glass.

S- Nose is heavy on the nutmeg. Cinnamon is moderate. The whiskey barrel nose is there but it is overpowered by the christmas spices.

T- Whiskey and cinnamon blend pretty nicely upfront with a very mild malt and barrel backbone initially. These flavors fade slowly and a lot of nutmeg an oak barrel smoothness come through for the finish to blend nicely with the whiskey. Some nutmeg, oak, and a mild alcohol warmth are left to linger.

M- Very high fizzy carbonation with a medium weight body that is on the dry side due to the nutmeg but that still offers that oak smoothness.

O- Overall this is a very good Christmas Ale. Its obviously a seasonal novelty but you don't see a barrel aged Christmas Ale around too often so this is a nice touch. The whiskey barrel definately adds complexity and smoothness to the original version of this beer. Overall a job well done by Hoppin' Frog

Serving type: bottle

12-26-2012 02:33:09 | More by PittBeerGirl

nrbw23

Ohio

3.9/5  rDev +1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A- Pours a murky reddish color with a very thin off white head. Head has pretty much no lacing and leaves no lacing.

S- Quite a bit of spices here. Cinnamon ginger, and nutmeg are front and center. Just a tiny bit of wood and bourbon.

T- Pretty spicey beer here. Follows the nose well. A bit of a malt base in bready and caramel, but no hops at all. Again just a tiny bit of bourbon and wood. Not much different at all over the regular version.

M- Medium in body and carbonation.

D- Again not much different than the regular version. I'm not really sure I'd grab this one again.

Serving type: bottle

12-20-2010 03:50:49 | More by nrbw23

MasterSki

Illinois

3.85/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Thanks to ChrisPro for sharing this one - thanks for indulging Nate's love of winter warmers. Served in a Hair of the Dog tulip.

A - Quick-dissolving white foam settles to a thin ring and wisps on top, but no lacework. Mostly transparent ruby body.

S - Nutmeg, cinnamon, light oak and bourbon, and some red licorice. I'm wondering if these were second-use barrels from BA B.O.R.I.S., as most Hoppin' Frog barrel-aged offerings are far from subtle.

T - Taste is more sugary and malt-forward, with notes of Twizzlers, candy canes, vanilla, and less overt Christmas spice in comparison to the finish. There's a faint spruce note in the finish that I can't tell if I'm imagining.

M - Zesty carbonation, medium body, tannic and dry texture, and some light warming that is part alcohol and part cinnamon.

D - For a spiced Christmas beer this was actually pretty decent. It's not my favorite style of beer, but it was far better than I expected and might appeal to loves of Christmas spice. One of my favorite Winter Warmers, I suppose.

Serving type: bottle

01-03-2012 00:49:11 | More by MasterSki

ffejherb

Pennsylvania

3.65/5  rDev -5.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Thanks to Cmurren25 for sharing a bomber on 12/26/10.

A - Poured a dark toffee brown liquid with a creamy tan head that diminished to a thin ring and flimsy patch, leaving benind a bit of spotty lacing.

S - Toffee, peppermint and cinnamon with a gingerbread cookie dough malt character. Aroma is intensely spicy and sweet.

T - Initial flavor is quite spicy with a definite cinnamon and peppermint character. Toffee and caramel notes add more sweetness to the mix. Reminds me of spicy gingersnaps or holiday cookies. Finishes with a tinge of earthy hop bitterness.

M - Medium bodied with a smooth, creamy texture and minimal carbonation. Finishes spicy on the palate with some mild hop bitterness and residual sweetness.

D - I didn't mind this one as much as everyone at the table. While I likely couldn't finish an entire bomber of this on my own, perhaps I was in the Christmas spirit on this particular day. Definitely an intense Winter Warmer for sure, but not bad.

Serving type: bottle

01-11-2011 19:58:47 | More by ffejherb

TheHoppiest

Ohio

3.65/5  rDev -5.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a 22 oz bomber into a pint glass. Pour a mahogany-rub color, with minimal head quickly disappears until this has the look of flat soda.

Has a very spiced smell, similar to HF's regular Christmas Ale. Plenty of cinnamon, clove, allspice, and apple flavors.

Tastes peppery, and not as sweet as HF's regular Christmas Ale. Definitely hoppier and more bitter than the other. Plenty of spice in this, cinnamon, clove, and a "spiced" apple, like a wassail or spiced cider. Plenty of winter warmer in this one. Ends with definite pepper-bitterness.

Medium to full bodied, like a typical winter warmer.

Fairly drinkable, though I find the spiciness to pretty intense and almost overpowering. Unless you're looking for intense spice, I'd choose another Christmas ale.

Serving type: bottle

01-29-2011 03:05:16 | More by TheHoppiest

Ryan011235

Ohio

3.58/5  rDev -7.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured into a snifter on 1/7/11

Shared by Spider889

Coppery, amber-brown color; pretty clear. Minimal head retention; just a filmy layer & a small ring around the inside of the glass. A few drippy splotches of lace.

Smells like Christmas retail season; a mish-mash of candle shop aromas & holiday potpourri. Crisp whiskey overtones & hints of vanilla. Lots of cinnamon & spice. Nutmeg & ginger. Hints of toastiness with a faint yeast notion in the back, when swirled.

While the whiskey is strong in the nose, it doesn't taste so strong. More like dull, warmed, watery whiskey with a mild charred character. Moderate spice notes aren't too biting. Toasted cinnamon bread. Hints of earthy hops. Slight mustiness as it warms.

Medium body with reasonably low carbonation. Said carbonation become appreciably lower throughout. Nips of whiskey & spice on the finish.

Not bad by any means but the taste doesn't live up to the aroma.

Serving type: bottle

01-19-2011 01:15:28 | More by Ryan011235

Thorpe429

Illinois

3.58/5  rDev -7.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Bottle courtesy of jale. Amyliz4 very much appreciated it. Served in a mini snifter. Reviewed from notes.

Pours a fairly-dark brown color with a nice off-white head with a bit of lacing on the way down. The nose carries a good dosing of bourbon plus plenty of cinnamon and spice. Much better integrated than the non-barrel aged version. Flavor falls along the same lines -- bourbon out front with a bit of underlying spice. Medium body with a smoothness to it. Good spice and booze. Tasty.

Serving type: bottle

10-29-2011 15:25:59 | More by Thorpe429

jale

Michigan

3.55/5  rDev -8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Big thanks to Renee and Bill for this.

A: Pours a light brown with only a dime of tan head.

S: Allspice, cinnamon and light clove aroma.

T: Allspice upfront followed by clove and a hint of cinnamon. Some oakiness in the middle. Slight pepper and small amount of hop bitterness at the finish.

M; Medium body with decent carbonation.

O: Would like to have tasted more malt upfront to balance the spices.

Serving type: bottle

03-31-2011 22:31:17 | More by jale

FosterJM

California

3.45/5  rDev -10.6%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

1462nd Review on BA
Bottle to Great Lakes Snifter
22oz

2011 Vintage

CA Gang Bang BIF

App- Just a flat old pond water looking color with maybe a whisp of head and 0 cling in the head. Not sure where color comes from but its a white/brown mix. Just off.

Smell- I wished it was Christmas in August. Such a holiday beer. Cinnamon, nutmeg, peppermint for days. Smelled like liquid potpourri to me. Best part of the beer.

Taste- Drops WAY off. Its just an off spiced malt bomb. Not sure why flavors dont integrate better but seems to all pull apart. Spice note is very prevalent making it hard drinker. Malts almost overpower.

Mouth- A thicker medium body with a low medium carbonation. Residual Christmas spice.

Drink- It's not the best beer, but because of the nose I rounded up vs. down. Probably wouldnt have this one again.

Serving type: bottle

08-18-2012 21:24:17 | More by FosterJM

Spider889

Ohio

3.25/5  rDev -15.8%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5

This was a Christmas gift from my wife. Shared with MbpBugeye and Ryan011235.

The beer was mostly clear; a deep gilded ruby color. There was a very small cap of cinnamon cream colored head. There was no lace. Mild visible carbonation.

My first impression upon smelling this beer was that I had walked up to a Cinnabon stand at the mall. Lots of spicing - not much different than in the non-BA version. Nutmeg and cinnamon play the dominant role. There was also a mild minty aroma that some of us detected and I even picked up on a little chocolate. I got very little evidence of the barrel aging/whiskey in the aroma apart from meager traces of vanilla.

The flavor was much less pleasing than the aroma was. Certainly, the barrel did manage to smooth out the harsh spiciness of the base beer (though it is still much stronger than in many warmers), but once again, the whiskey barrel aging seemed to have little other effect. I really believe that these were not fresh barrels.

There was still a ton of dryness from the spices. The beer was slightly hot but not really boozy. Sweet vanilla and cinnamon, and lots of dry oak.

Drinkability is low - this was an expensive brewery only release combined with insane amounts of holiday spicing; the beer just wasn't that amazing. I would rather have this over the non-BA version any day of the week, but there are much better winter warmers out there at a fraction of the price.

My final notes were that the smell was fantastic, but I would have preferred a MUCH larger barrel presence. It was worth a try if you have the disposable income, but I won't be seeking this out again unless I hear that the brewery makes some big changes.

Serving type: bottle

01-20-2011 19:33:43 | More by Spider889

LeRose

Massachusetts

3.23/5  rDev -16.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Poured a reddish brown with a quick fizzy head that didn’t last. Aroma was Christmas cookie kitchen. Cinnamon, nutmeg, slightly fruity on the nose. Taste seems a bit out Of balance. Spice heavy and needs to be sweeter to balance. Clear cinnamon, nutmeg, hint of clove, gingerbread. Picking up some raisin or prune notes. Drying on the palate, not thick on the mouth feel. Some aftertaste that persists and gingerbread like, some molasses sweetness, flavor of dates, warmth, a. But of whiskey. Better as it warms. It was OK, not a fave

Serving type: bottle

12-27-2012 16:50:45 | More by LeRose

MbpBugeye

Ohio

3.2/5  rDev -17.1%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Big thanks to Spider889 for sharing this bottle.

The color of this one is somewhere in between cinnamon and cola brown. Nary a head is formed as spotty lacing is left behind. The smell is undoubtedly big on cinnamon with nutmeg vying for attention. Combining the cinnamon and the barrels creates a cinnamon roll with vanilla-sugar icing type smell. Whiskey booze is perceivable, but kinda buried. The barreling is very, very light. Strong cinnamon, light vanilla. This is a pretty straight forward beer. I bet the barrels were already used for beer, perhaps second use after BA BORIS.

Serving type: bottle

01-20-2011 04:21:33 | More by MbpBugeye