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Christmas Ale
Gritty McDuff's Brewing Company
- From:
- Gritty McDuff's Brewing Company
- Maine, United States
- Style:
- Extra Special / Strong Bitter (ESB)
- ABV:
- 6.2%
- Score:
- 85
- Avg:
- 3.79 | pDev: 12.93%
- Reviews:
- 125
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Jan 16, 2018
- Added:
- Jan 11, 2002
- Wants:
- 8
- Gots:
- 12
If it looks like Ed just got merrier, you're right. Every November heralds the return of our holiday seasonal, Christmas Ale – available on draft and in six-packs. Our Christmas Ale is a robust E.S.B. (Extra Special Bitter) full of holiday cheer. Christmas Ale has a lovely, dark red/amber color and a rich, full-bodied, malty taste with a slightly roasted undertone. We brew our Christmas Ale to an original gravity of 1064 (about 6.2% alcohol by volume) using only the finest English Pale and Crystal Malts, with a touch of Roasted Barley as well. A blend of Clusters, Styrian Goldings, Saaz and Yakima Goldings leaf hops round out this hearty brew. Gritty's Christmas Ale has no additives, fruits or spices. It's just a good honest ale, perfect for the season. And to top it all off, it's already gift-wrapped! Happy Holidays!
28.5 IBU
28.5 IBU
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Reviewed by mnredsoxfan69 from Minnesota
3.76/5 rDev -0.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
3.76/5 rDev -0.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Poured from a 12 oz. bottle into a tulip.
This is not what I was expecting, based on the name. I was looking forward to a big, spicy, malty, winter warmer of an ale, but discovered a nice ESB instead. This English style bitter pours dark brown, yet clear, with a one-finger cap of foam that quickly dissipated to a thin ring. The aroma wafting from the glass is light and malty with hints of caramel. The taste boosts the caramel flavor, balanced by the earthy bitterness of English hops. It is medium bodied with a light prickle from the carbonation. Overall, a very good, but not outstanding brew, but definitely worth a try. I enjoyed it and would buy it again. Very enjoyable.
Jan 16, 2018This is not what I was expecting, based on the name. I was looking forward to a big, spicy, malty, winter warmer of an ale, but discovered a nice ESB instead. This English style bitter pours dark brown, yet clear, with a one-finger cap of foam that quickly dissipated to a thin ring. The aroma wafting from the glass is light and malty with hints of caramel. The taste boosts the caramel flavor, balanced by the earthy bitterness of English hops. It is medium bodied with a light prickle from the carbonation. Overall, a very good, but not outstanding brew, but definitely worth a try. I enjoyed it and would buy it again. Very enjoyable.
Reviewed by scotorum from Massachusetts
4.01/5 rDev +5.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
4.01/5 rDev +5.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Poured from the 12 oz. bottle into a Samuel Adams English nonick.
a: Clear dark ruby with a finger thick offwhite head which receded to thick surface foam and patchy lacing.
s: Mainly caramel malt.
t; Strong caramel malt with a slightly tangy hop bite.
m; Medium, good body and carbonation tingle.
o: A fine holiday ESB in the British tradition, substantially malty and warmly satisfying.
Dec 26, 2015a: Clear dark ruby with a finger thick offwhite head which receded to thick surface foam and patchy lacing.
s: Mainly caramel malt.
t; Strong caramel malt with a slightly tangy hop bite.
m; Medium, good body and carbonation tingle.
o: A fine holiday ESB in the British tradition, substantially malty and warmly satisfying.
Rated by Bestinyourgirl from Maine
2.85/5 rDev -24.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.75
2.85/5 rDev -24.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.75
Taste like a chardonnay. Great if you love bitter things, horrible if your palate lies elsewhere.
Jan 03, 2015
Christmas Ale from Gritty McDuff's Brewing Company
Beer rating:
85 out of
100 with
197 ratings
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