Bestefar - HaandBryggeriet

avalon07

South Carolina

4.35/5  rDev +12.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A: Poured from a bottle to a pint glass. Had a brownish color with ruby tints and a cloudy consistency. There was an inch and a half of foamy, long-lasting head. Very good lacing.

S: A great aroma of spices, malt, and a slight herbal quality.

T: Tasted of malt, spices (nutmeg), a little chocolate, and the advertised juniper. An interesting and complex take on the Winter Warmer flavor.

M: A well-carbonated beer with a dry finish. Medium-bodied.

D: A well made, tasty, drinkable beer.

Serving type: bottle

11-30-2010 14:10:53 | More by avalon07

rtepiak

Poland

4.13/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

had this after the jolly pumpkin/stone/nogne collaboration and it was just as well placed but more savory.

pour is on the dark side. actually similar in nose to the collaboration but the palate is somewhat smokier than most winter warmers i've had. nose is brisk and christmasy. clove, pine tree, this is all there in the palate with a noted juniper berry and sage. the juniper comes out more as it settles. not brisk but rather dry. not as creamy as some but sort of in the realm of a well spice dry stout... with 9% abv. velvet bone dry and the abv well place. palate is a bit of coffee and chocolate but predominant smoke that fades and maintains a dryness with a mild sweet herbal. hints of licorice, raisin as well. great beer. great label.

Serving type: bottle

11-28-2010 17:18:25 | More by rtepiak

khiasmus

South Carolina

4.5/5  rDev +16%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A flip dark chill winter bastard, of course. Muddy snow settles atop the dark brown earth, small clouds, as it were being tossed aside as we trudge through the winter haze and slush. Thick dark brown muck on the paths, with as thick light tan muck atop it, and we look forward to the warmth that awaits us at Grandma's house.
We crest the hill and can already smell the gingerbread wafting towards us, the notes of nutmeg and cider and egg nog and the Christmas tree that's sure to be next to the roaring fire in the cozy old bungalow.
We tramp up to the porch and knock the ancient brass lion on the door, and there's the old familiar shuffle coming towards us as we blow into our hands and stamp on the porch, trying to restore feeling in our bemittened hands and booted feet.
Hugs all around and "I've got a smattering or two of some cakes and such, would you like some cider? cocoa? Coffee?"
And out comes the drink, the aromas of the place wafting all about us, the Christmas tree and pumpkin spice and port wine, and now we take sips.
It's a blend, of course. A spicy, warm, Christmas blend of the highest order. We snuggle into the couch and kick off our boots before the fire as the snow falls outside and the fire crackles before us. Nutmeg and egg-nog, gingerbread and robust roasted coffee, sweet and spice and roasted grain and a little warmth in the finish.
Thick, this one. Like a Baltic porter with tremendous holiday spices and a clean, nutmeg-filled warm roast on the finish. A winter warmer of the highest order, perfect for nights such as this, perfect for relaxing before the fire in the Christmas-tree excitement that only comes for a few weeks of the year, but constitutes some of life's best moments.
Cheers. And Merry Christmas.

Serving type: bottle

11-26-2010 20:43:12 | More by khiasmus