Christmas Ale - Breckenridge Brewery

bensbeers

Maryland

3.7/5  rDev +6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Color of this brew is great - a deep ruby red with a thin, light tan head. Smell was a bit boozy; lots of caramelly malts, somewhat toasty; fruity notes come through with the taste. Taste is not quite as boozy as the smell; mostly malts, some fruity hops, holiday spices - nutmeg, vanilla, cinnamon and a hint of cocoa. Feel is pretty crisp; was expecting a heavy, creamy ale, but it drinks almost like a lager; enjoyable, refreshing, and definitely a warmer.

Overall a pretty good cold weather beer. Would recommend if you are in a festive mood, but don't hurt yourself trying to find it. I wish the spices were more prominent, but enjoyable nonetheless. Cheers

Serving type: bottle

12-30-2012 19:20:36 | More by bensbeers

fitzy84

Massachusetts

3.9/5  rDev +11.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bought a six pack for Christmas, finally opened some tonight. The drink poured with a large head and some patchy lacing on the sides. The drink has a dark brown amber appearance. Aromas of malt and some hints of vanilla. A very slight roasty smell; I could sense some of the caramel and chocolate the beer advertises that it has, but it seemed faint, at least to me. The flavor is sweet with a toffee-ish taste with malt and nutmeg flavors detected. Medium body with a good balance. Overall, a pretty good seasonal drink.

Serving type: bottle

12-30-2012 01:29:19 | More by fitzy84

atr2605

New York

4/5  rDev +14.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A-pours a deep red amber with an off white head with good retention
S-brown sugar, plums, and spice
T-Caramel, toasted malt, brown sugar, and a bit bready. Hops provide a nice balance but dont lend much to flavor
M-Medium bodied
O-Well balanced and very drinkable. Starts a little sweet but the varied malt profile keeps everything in check. Nice beer

Serving type: bottle

12-27-2012 01:02:03 | More by atr2605

brentk56

North Carolina

3.68/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Appearance: A few inches of foam top the clear russet-colored liquid, leaving some shards of lace behind

Smell: Caramel, figgy pudding and some leafy hops

Taste: Caramel and figgy pudding flavors hit the tip of the tongue, followed by leafy hops that spread across the rest of the tastebuds; hints of cinnamon and nutmeg also appear, mostly in the finish, where the hops continue to add an earthy, bitter aspect

Mouthfeel: Medium body with moderate carbonation

Overall: A decent enough Winter Warmer; not crazy about the way the hops and malts blend together but that is a relatively minor quibble

Serving type: bottle

12-24-2012 16:47:22 | More by brentk56

axeman9182

New Jersey

3.1/5  rDev -11.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

12 oz bottle, poured into my Brooklyn Brewery tulip.

Breckenridge's Christmas Ale pours mahogany brown, with a little bit of amber highlights making themselves known as I hold the beer up to light. About a finger and a half of cream colored foam tops the beer, and while head retention is somewhat average, there's plenty of lacing left around the glass. The nose is disappointingly muted. Some caramel and a general spice aroma are appreciable, but neither exactly leaps out of the glass. The flavor profile is similarly dull. There's some caramel sweetness up front, and after seeing the beer's description on Breckenridge's mention chocolate I was able to pick up on a little bit (though maybe just because I was looking for it). There's a moderate bitterness present mid palate, and the finish is light holiday spices. I'm not quite sure if it's ginger or nutmeg, maybe a blend of the two. The body could stand to be a little bit more substantial, but the carbonation has a nice little kick to it. I just wasn't that impressed with Breckenridge's Christmas ale, it's a very ho-hum winter offering.

Serving type: bottle

12-24-2012 02:00:28 | More by axeman9182

ColdWaffles

Pennsylvania

4.2/5  rDev +20.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Served from a 12oz bottle into a standard pint. Was super excited to see this reach me as I really enjoyed their Vanilla Porter a while back. Also, if I may say, give this bottle, the vanilla porter and a glance at their other labels... I LOVE their bottle aesthetic. Someone in design deserves a nice Christmas bonus.

Appearance: Very dark amber color. Borderline black in my current lighting. Not much of a head. Head was cream colored and pleasant.

Smell: Not too strong, but this traveled quite a bit. Sweet, kind of fruity, kind of malty. Almost... figgy?

Taste: Very sweet and inviting, almost too sweet. Almost exactly how I like a Winter Warmer. Maintains that almost figgy taste I thought it would have given the smell. I sense some apple or pear-like flavor too? Its got a nice mix of Christmas-y spices, can't quite pin all of them down. A nice malty brew.

Mouthfeel: Nice carbonation, not too heavy, a little sticky. The only complaint here is that I'd like more of wherever the head came from!

I thought this was pretty much how I like the style. Really liked this beer. Hope more Breckenridge beers make it out to Philly area.

Serving type: bottle

12-19-2012 03:40:12 | More by ColdWaffles

kangarooAdam59

Maine

4/5  rDev +14.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Into a pint glass:

A: dark amber colored body with a one finger white foamy head that lasts for a half a minute before dieing to a one finger film that sticks around for most of the rest of the beer. While dieing to the one finger film, some nice clingy lacing graces the pint glass. Since the body is slightly transparent, some light carbonation is seen slowly rising.

S: hops, caramel and spices up front. Some chocolate comes out slightly after warming up a bit.

T: pretty much the same as the smell leaning closer to sweet.

M: medium with a smooth almost nice creaminess that comes out.

O: hey, I like this one. I would definitely come back to this. Good for the style, pretty good for me, I might be seeking more of this one out before the season is over.

Serving type: bottle

12-15-2012 18:26:23 | More by kangarooAdam59

wvsabbath

West Virginia

3.35/5  rDev -4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Serving Type - Bottle

Appearance - Dark copper/tan brown. Minor 1/8 inch head, minor lacing.

Smell - Fruity hops, some added sugars, malts, a little mix of chocolate, cinnamon and toffee.

Taste - Sweet caramel and toffee notes upfront with some added spices and some hops. Some apple and cinnamon come out along with some bready/buttery malts. Some alcohol warm in the finish. A little bit of dark fruits and cherry is mixed in as well.

Mouthfeel - Malts caot tounge, along with some hops and spices. Palate gets more malts and fruits, along with some spices and added sugars. The aftertaste is malty, fruity and warm.

Overall - Average, not terrible but many better beers of this style out there. Needs some more flavor, too weak fruit wise. Malts are good and bold but not balanced very well. Nothing i need to ever try again.

Serving type: bottle

12-08-2012 02:41:32 | More by wvsabbath

stewart124

Ohio

3.75/5  rDev +7.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Orange to mahogany with a nice lacing.

Breast/toasty note in the nose with some caramel.

Breast and chewy but it is a medium mouthfeel. Some decent spicy bitterness but this a malt forward beer. Lots of caramel and a nice figgy character. A very solid winter warmer.

Serving type: bottle

12-08-2012 02:11:59 | More by stewart124

BEERMILER12

Maine

3.68/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Pours a dark amber/mahogany color with a fingers worth of tan head that leaves a wall of lacing that follows the beer all the way to the end of the glass

S: Has some solid caramel and chocolate malt notes with a very light spice note as well

T: Follows the nose. Some good maltiness that brings the caramel and chocolate notes, with a hint of nutmeg and cinnamon as well as breadiness towards the back end

M: Medium-full bodied with moderate carbonation. Chewy and smooth

O: A solid Christmas ale with very nice malt flavors and not too much spice. Definitely preferable to over-spiced winter beers, thats for sure. This one will definitely warm you up on a cold winter night

Serving type: bottle

12-07-2012 05:29:08 | More by BEERMILER12

horshack7

Massachusetts

3.05/5  rDev -12.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Appearance: It pours a dark chestnut with some amber hues and a head about a finger thick that is smooth in texture.

Aroma: Clove, allspice, caramel malts that have lots of breadiness to them. Faint cinnamon, a little bit of apple.

Taste: Caramel malts in the front, clove, cinnamon that's quite faint, light citrus hops with a light crispness. Allspice in the tail end and a bready finish.

Notes: A decent and drinkable Winter Warmer. Cheers.

Serving type: bottle

12-07-2012 04:26:52 | More by horshack7

Brad007

Vermont

3.15/5  rDev -9.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Bring on the winter warmers. Oddly enough, I haven't reviewed too many examples in quite a while.

Burgundy with a frothy white head that fades along the sides of the glass. Nothing interesting to note here.

Sweet with some caramel notes. Very little if any spice. I'm not sure what it's supposed to be?
Solid otherwise.

Lingering sweetness and caramel make up the mouthfeel.

A simple, unpretentious example of the style. At least it's not overloaded with spice.

Serving type: bottle

12-03-2012 02:30:48 | More by Brad007

bum732

Maryland

3.3/5  rDev -5.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

S: Very fruitcake like, nutmeg, brown sugar, dark fruits

L: Very dark crimson red, white head that dissipates.

T: Big dark fruits up front with some holiday spices. Low bitterness with slightly sweet caramel malt. Slight fruitcake like spiciness with some dark fruits near the finish. A burnt toffee like finish.

M: Medium thin body, medium carbonation.

Not bad for a light X-mas ale. The spicing is pretty high in this beer, but nice to have every once in a while.

Serving type: bottle

12-03-2012 02:30:27 | More by bum732

ksimons

New York

3.68/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A-a clear chestnut with a thin layer of cream head that sticks to the glass

S-malt, caramel, raisins, but not getting much spicy aromas

T-a little on the weak side, malt, caramel, and a very small amount of hop bitterness

M-mouthfeel is actually pretty decent, medium body, light carbonation

Overall it is hard to believe this is a Christmas ale, the spice profile is basically non existent. Nice maltiness though.

Serving type: bottle

11-30-2012 00:12:15 | More by ksimons

XenonX

Ohio

1.55/5  rDev -55.6%
look: 4 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 1 | feel: 3 | overall: 1.5

Appearance is very nice, caramel in color. Looks to be a nice heavy ale. Very citrus hoppy smell. Taste, Lemon pledge mixed with hairspray...almost synthetic . Mouthfeel is full however and actually a little pleasant! Overall however, I really tried to get through the entire bottle. Alas, I had to cast the last third to the polluted depths of the lake that caught on fire to be with its kind. I am not a fan.

Serving type: bottle

11-18-2012 03:30:51 | More by XenonX

oberon

North Carolina

3.65/5  rDev +4.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured a clear rich tawny color with a half finger creamy off white head atop,nice broken lace left behind as it settles slowly.Dark fruit leafy somewhat spicy hops in the nose,a little cakiness in the background as well.Decent flavors but they lack depth,a decent leafy hoppiness goes pretty well with mild caramel and dark fruit sweetness,drying in the finish.The problem is the flavors all end abruptly,it's close to being really damn good,it's still a pretty decent winter warmer as is.

Serving type: bottle

11-13-2012 21:07:05 | More by oberon

CFHMagnet

Ohio

3.48/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A normal pour netted me about a finger of creamy head whose color was somewhere in between light yellow and light tan. This quickly dissipated but left a little froth and lacing over the copper body.

Smells of sweet malt, christmas spices including cinnamon and nutmeg and a faint whiff of alcohol at the end.

Sweet malt says a quick 'hi' to your tongue before being inundated with a peppery holiday spice mix. There is a faint banana flavor that mixes with the spice near the end, until a bit of alcohol takes that over. Dry, spicy finish.

Serving type: bottle

11-13-2012 18:56:28 | More by CFHMagnet

Kendo

New York

3.28/5  rDev -6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A: Poured from the bottle into a pint glass. Body is clear chestnut-brown with a small whitish head that's gone fast.

S: LIke a brown ale - sweet malt (toffee) and a touch of nuttiness.

T: Caramel malt, toffee, brown bread and spices - maybe some cinnamon, otherwise the spices fall in the "nondescript" or the "I can't quite make them out" categories. Slight metallic aftertaste does battle with the sweetness and spices for supremacy. Not loving the overall effect.

M: Light-to-medium in heft.

O: OK, far from great.

Serving type: bottle

11-04-2012 22:18:07 | More by Kendo

ujsplace

Pennsylvania

4.03/5  rDev +15.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured into a pint glass.

This is a deep brown colored ale with a bright white head that is foamy. The head fades and leaves a nice thin layer on top. Descent lacing.

Smells of roasted caramel, sweet malt, fig, nutmeg and allspice.

Has a really nice buttery malt middle with a hint of hops. Good, interesting flavor.

Creamy and smooth mouthfeel.

I enjoyed this brew. The spices are not too overdone, the brew goes down nice and easy. Thanks for the brew bro...

Serving type: bottle

05-18-2012 01:21:33 | More by ujsplace

TheManiacalOne

Rhode Island

3.18/5  rDev -8.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Acquired via trade from MilwaukeeCrusher, so a big “Thank You” goes out to him. Poured from a 12oz bottle into a US tumbler pint glass.

A: The beer is a medium brown color, with a thin off-white head that fades quickly and leaves a thick lace on the glass.

S: The aroma contains fruit, spices, caramelized malts and some hops.

T: The taste starts out with sweet flavors of caramel, spices, figs and dark fruit. Then a hearty malt character comes in along with background flavors of chocolate and smokiness. The hops presence is decent for the style and brings a little balance. The after-taste is slightly sweet.

M: Crisp and a little smooth, medium body, medium carbonation, finish is slightly sticky.

O: A little tasty, goes down ok, not too filling, decent kick, decent representation of style, there is some complexity to it but overall it’s just a mediocre beer.

Serving type: bottle

04-12-2012 23:58:53 | More by TheManiacalOne

mountdew1

New Hampshire

3.9/5  rDev +11.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured into an imperial pint glass. Color was a dark orange amber with a 1 finger bubbly white head. Head didn't last long at all. Aroma was of sour fruit, with a bit of alcohol if you got up close. A very small touch of sweetness. Taste was sweet to finish, but started off with very mild and well balanced. A hint of spice, but also traces of a chocolate. Interesting, but very mellow flavors. A bit under stated. Intensified the longer it sat. Felt good in the mouth, coated well with the right amount of carbonation. Not a bad winter warmer, just a bit more subtle than I normally expect.

Serving type: bottle

03-10-2012 00:15:42 | More by mountdew1

CuriousMonk

Virginia

3.28/5  rDev -6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured from 12oz bottle into a pint glass. Pours a dark burnt orange/reddish hue body with a medium sized foamy beige head that has decent lasting power. Aroma of wet bread, some burnt caramel, and yeast. The flavor is basically malts with some notes of gingerbread, caramel, toast, and some light fruit rinds. I was disappointed as I expected more spices and maybe creaminess as well The body has a medium mothfeel and lighter carboantion but a sort of slimy feel as it coats your mouth. Wanted more out of this one after a long search for this one.

Serving type: bottle

02-14-2012 20:39:48 | More by CuriousMonk

Zachtheporter

Wisconsin

3.73/5  rDev +6.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

poured from a 12 oz bottle.

A- Pours a Dark ruby with a thick white frothy head that lingers.

S- Smell reminded me right of the bat of an old ale. Fruity notes coalesce with hints of hops and barley. Smells somewhat like strawberries.

T- Tastes is malty and sweet. Very sweet, with a hint of hops near the end. You can taste the earthy barley notes. Hints of rhubarb and strawberries along with citrisy orange notes that hit you at the end. Strong carmaley malty overtones at the beginning.

M- Thick but clean. smooth on the tongue and mouth.

Overall a very good winter warmer very reminiscent of an Old Ale. Would definitely buy again.

Serving type: bottle

02-01-2012 08:43:58 | More by Zachtheporter

hopfacebrew

Colorado

3.23/5  rDev -7.4%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Note: This review was a re-post from my former account, jmkratt, which was hacked and I lost all my reviews...sorry for the redundancy.

Poured from bottle to Schooner glass.

A - Translucent Dark Red/Amber color. Half finger white head with very little retention of lacing.

S - Holiday spices are slightly present but I was not able to detect anything else.

T - Tastes starts with a pleasant blend of caramel malts mixed with spices that seem to be cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg. Continues through a sweet malty flavot with a hint of fruit.

M - Medium mouthfeel. Very little warmth and and after taste of spice. Seems to finish soapy.

D - Its drinkable but it will hit you with the higher alcohol.

Overall it was an average beer IMO. Nothing too outstanding to report though I am glad I tried it.

Serving type: bottle

Reviewed on: 01-15-2011 20:18:47

Serving type: bottle

01-28-2012 17:35:51 | More by hopfacebrew

Microbrewtaster

Indiana

4.03/5  rDev +15.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured into a Cigar City Snifter

A- This beer pours a dull brown in color with a white head that is small, maybe a half finger, and dissipates rather quickly. The lacing is also sub par as there is barely any to speak of.

S- There is a real heavy malt, with some spice notes, and a slight toffee, and booze smell.

T- There is some cinnamon, some roasted malts, and a very slight hint of booze, nothing near the 7.4% ABV that it says it is. there is also a caramelized sugar taste that makes for a terrific finish.

M- This is a medium bodied beer that has a good amount of carbonation. it is nice and crisp as the finish goes, not quite the way this style is meant to be but it works for me. U

O- While I did not expect much from this beer I enjoyed it more and more as time went on, while its taste is rather mild it is pleasant and while not considered a sessionable beer It is one i can see myself enjoying a couple of.

Serving type: bottle

01-18-2012 01:04:10 | More by Microbrewtaster