Kris Kringle - McMenamins

Murrhey

Montana

3.38/5  rDev -7.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

On-tap at McMenamins Grand Lodge in Forest Grove, OR. Reviewed from notes.

A- Finger and a quarter off-white head. Dark amber cherry coloration. Minute long retention and some spotty lacing.

S- Hoppy and dark with brewing spices. Walnut tones. Possibly some caramel.

T- Heavy hops and medium bodied malts. Some spices but not very prominent.

M- Well carbonated. Medium bodied. Sticky linger.

O- Nice, tasty seasonal. Hoppy and malty, very nice!

Serving type: on-tap

02-06-2012 07:19:26 | More by Murrhey

HuskyinPDX

Washington

3.08/5  rDev -16.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

First beer of 2012.

A - Served a slightly hazy dark orangish-brown. A thin tan head fades to the edges leaving a thin film on top.

S - Not much here. Pretty nutty and slightly roasted malts.

T - Similar to the smell, some Christmas spices come through, but pretty mild.

D - Average body and carbonation.

O - I liked where this was going, but pretty underwhelming all around.

Serving type: on-tap

01-02-2012 02:29:30 | More by HuskyinPDX

flagmantho

Washington

4/5  rDev +9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Had this beer on tap in a pint glass at McMenamins in Mill Creek, WA.

Appearance: murky brown hue with a finger of creamy tan-orange foam. Pretty attractive.

Smell: nice, richly malty aroma. There's a nice yeast character here, giving the impression of a fulfilling wintry beverage. I like it.

Taste: rich malt flavor with plenty of yeastiness and breadiness. Bracing citrusy hop bitterness rounds it out well -- kind of like a strong Northwest pale ale.

Mouthfeel: medium body with a good level of carbonation and smooth creaminess. Good!

Overall: I quite like this beer as a winter warmer. like I said, it reminds me of a strong pale ale; it is warming and tasty. Kudos.

Serving type: on-tap

12-07-2011 18:00:05 | More by flagmantho

Docer

Washington

3.68/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

On tap at their east Vancouver joint..

- Nice cloudy caramel brown... thin layer of fluffy off white head... leaves a nice touch of lacing in the glass...

- Nice caramel malt... grainy.. barley... slight sweetness mixed with a big piney hop punch... grassy... earthy..

- Hops up front for sure... big bitter... pine... grassy.. earthy... sweet caramel...

- Heavy hitter... drying bitter... chewy.. well carbonated... slightly sticky..

- Drinkability is tough... it's a great taster of a beer... but quite heavy in the gut... lovely hops... great flavors without over sweetness ..

Serving type: on-tap

11-21-2010 07:02:16 | More by Docer

johnmichaelsen

Oregon

3.88/5  rDev +5.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at the West Linn Mcmenamins.

The beer pours a dark ice tea color with fair head retention and lacing. The nose is pretty mute on this beer, though I get some attrative brown sugar, nutmeg and allspice. Given the nose, I wasn't expecting all that much on the palate, so I was pleasantly surprised by the nicely balanced hoppy bitterness, sweet malt and spice. The beer is still on the hoppy, dry side, and you can tell the abv. is fairly low (a good thing). The beer is medium bodied and is pretty drinkable. It's not tiring or heavy on the palate, and I enjoyed the dry, hoppy finish.

While nothing to write home about, this was a nice enough offering from McM. Seems to me that past versions have had a bit more spice, but this was nice enough. Not bad...

Serving type: on-tap

11-30-2008 03:47:09 | More by johnmichaelsen

Magpie14

Michigan

4.03/5  rDev +9.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

grabbed a pint at the Market St. location, I asked the bar tender if he had tried it and he said that he "had not, let alone poured very many." Not sure of a release date, but it seemed very fresh

A:cloudy crimson color, thin creamy head paired with sporadic lacing

S: light floral hops, a kiss of candied fruits and malts

T: very nice full expression of botanic hops. Mellow caramel sweetness and creamed malts. Sweet finish leads way to a malty touch of soft raspberries/red fruits. I was taken back by this brew and ended up having three in a row...unplanned!

M: mild body and creamed grains (wheat and malt) feel with a lingering light oily hop finish. Well rounded overall, very pleasing

D: great beer, just friggen great. I have had a run with a few Mcmenamins brews since my tenure out west and was hardly impressed. However, this beer cradles my feelings toward McMenamins. Very tasty and seemed to really hit the spot, I truly enjoyed this comprehensive brew. Not so much a winter warmer, but none-the-less a great drinker

Serving type: on-tap

11-22-2008 09:23:19 | More by Magpie14

Reidrover

Oregon

3.58/5  rDev -2.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Ok pint at Thompsons Brewpub, Salem.
In appearance this is a nice hazy hazelnut brown beer,nice sized frothy off white head.
Subdued aroma..like many McM brews but what there is si slightly spicy ( ginger) and malts.
Creamy chocolaty smooth malt taste to start then the bitterness ..some hops some of it spices take over,,nice spicy aftertaste.
Very smooth and creamy on the palate a pleasure to drink.
Nice drinkable semi-light Christmas beer.

Serving type: on-tap

12-07-2003 02:46:05 | More by Reidrover