Nutcracker Ale - Boulevard Brewing Co.

Hopswagger

Oklahoma

3.79/5  rDev +1.6%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.75

P: A brown/ruby red effervescent body with lush tan micro bubble head.

S: Holiday spices, soapy hops, molasses and rich roasted syrupy malt. Spiced rum and dark fruits followed by a bready base.

T/M: Roasted caramel malts, sweet cherries, prunes, dates and a bitter floral and pine profile with a touch of citrus. Nutty with holiday spices that bring a warming holiday sensation to the palate. Heavy doses of malt but a nice hop bitterness to round it out. Body is medium-full and sticky with a gentle sting of carbonation. Finishes dry with lingering caramel and nuts.

O: A great holiday warmer that really packs a flavorful punch. The alcohol is present but does kill the palate. Can't wait to go back to Oklahoma were I can drink this yearly. Cheers!

Serving type: bottle

03-10-2013 20:22:51 | More by Hopswagger

johnkale

Wisconsin

3.84/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

12 oz bottle, 2012 vintage, poured into a Sam Adams Perfect Pint

A - hazy chestnut, two fingers of rocky beige head with good retention, leaves moderate lacing

S - caramel and toffee up front, pine resin, some mint and dried fruit (prune/raisin)

T - lots of caramel, raisin, grapefruit and pine coming through from the hops with a solid bitterness at the back end

M - medium bodied, moderate carbonation, a little coarse in the finish

O - nicely hopped for a "winter warmer," good depth from the malt, definitely a nice Christmas-themed beer

Serving type: bottle

01-17-2013 02:36:32 | More by johnkale

tut2528

Illinois

3/5  rDev -19.6%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

2012 release

A: pours a nice murky brown, with a nice fingers worth of frothy beige colored head formation. moderate lacing is seen as well. just a couple of swirls in the glass re-creates a nice slick creamy looking film

S: hops right up front with a massive alcohol burn. behind the alcohol lies some subtle spices, a sweet malt and a slight touch of fruit (possibly berries), nuts, and interestingly i pick up on celery (like how celery tastes)

T: very underwhelming. hops, nuts, spices, and alcohol. just a slight touch of fruit in there, but I not enjoying this balance

M: medium bodied, leaves hops and a slight nutty character on the palate. slight alcohol presence is also felt as it warms up the gums.

O: usually I enjoy Boulevards offerings, but I could easily do without this one because I dont find this one all that well balanced, and the alcohol keeps all the other aspects of the brew at bay

Serving type: bottle

01-06-2013 21:02:11 | More by tut2528

schleprock

Illinois

4.03/5  rDev +8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Poured from a 12 oz. bottle into a pint glass

A: Beer pours a nice reddish brown color with a decent foamy head. The lacing doesn't last but leaves spots as you drink.

S: Caramel, citrus, cinnamon, raisin and dark fruits are my take aways from this beer.

T: Toffee, caramel, cinnamon and a bit of citrus along with some spices I just couldn't define, and in a good way.

M: Complex flavors don't disappoint, it's a party in my mouth.

D: This beer is very drinkable. Is it the best holiday beer, no, but it's worthy of buying again and considering it as one of your twelve beers of Christmas each year.

O: I've been disappointed by several Boulevard beers I've tried. I am happy that they have redeemed themselves in my eyes with this one. I'll be a buyer every year if they keep making it.

Serving type: bottle

01-06-2013 08:38:12 | More by schleprock

bmwats

Louisiana

3.45/5  rDev -7.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a 12 oz bottle into a standard pint.

A: Cloudy amber hue. Pours about a 1 finger, foamy, white head. Settles fairly slowly leaving a blanket of foam on the surface. Sporadic, but persistent beer ring lacing

S: Light malt, tea, raisin, sourdough bread, and a little spice.

T: Sourdough bread, with some bitter pecan shell, and sweet raisin.

M: Light body, pungent throughout through the bitter and sweet combo.

D: Goes down easy, but the aftertaste puckers the palette a bit.

Atmosphere is pretty good. Interesting hue, nice foamy head, and some reasonably nice lacing. Nose is sweet and bready with a little spice. Flavor is a pungent combination of bitter nut and sweet raisin. Overall, this is a good quaff.

Serving type: bottle

12-31-2012 02:56:02 | More by bmwats

MattyG85

Minnesota

4.2/5  rDev +12.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a 12 oz. bottle into a Sam Adams "Perfect Pint" glass.

Appearance: Pours a somewhat hazy copper amber orange with a lot of rising bubbles. Huge five finger off white head with good retention. Leaves a lot of lacing around the glass.

Smell: A spicy hop driven aroma with a solid malt backbone. Lively mix of hops with hints of citrus orange, pineapple, mango, and grapefruit. A good amount of earthy and spicy pine resin. Not to be outdone, the bready malts add a nice balancing sweetness with hints of caramel, toffee, biscuit, and soft cracker. Also a little brown sugar in the mix. A really nice and unique aroma for the style.

Taste: Like the aroma hints, a solid mix of spicy and citrus hops along with a sweet bready malt presence. Upfront is a taste of earthy, spicy piney hops and some citrus orange, mango, pineapple, and grapefruit. Hops are lively but not overly bitter. Some brown sugar is tasted. Solid toasty malt presence with a taste of sweet caramel, toffee, crackers, and biscuit. Its a really nicely balanced beer with some nice hop and malt flavors.

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied with a moderate amount of carbonation. Creamy, juicy, and fairly slick. Very smooth.

Overall: A really good and interesting take on a Winter Warmer. Good hop spice and fruit esters with a solid malt balance.

Serving type: bottle

12-25-2012 07:59:05 | More by MattyG85

scruffwhor

Illinois

3.95/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Bronze and deep, ruby, nut color. Decent bubbling. The head and retention of this off-white colored foam is pretty good. The film of foam lasts for all twelve ounces.

Smells spicey, but not nutmeg and cinnamon and XMAS spicey. That has to be the hops. Spicey with some citrus notes thanks to the hops. That blends with a great biscuit and bread malt bill. Well toasted of course.

Spicey, toasted bread crust with notes of herbal and toasted citrus peel spicing. This is a hoppy, XMAS ale. All the XMAS spicing comes from the hops. Thats awesome. A hop forward Winter Warmer worth a try for any beer enthusiast.

Serving type: bottle

12-22-2012 00:21:45 | More by scruffwhor

CHADMC3

Connecticut

3.9/5  rDev +4.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a walnut colored body beneath the frothy light tan head which slowly dissolves yet maintains a constant presence atop the beer with a sticky ring of lacing.

Sweet caramel, nutty, and biscuit malt accompany the Cristmas spices and yeast.

The flavor is a bit nuttier than the aroma, again biscuity and sweet with hints of spices.

The mouthfeel is medium in body with generous carbonation.

A tasty winter warmer with just the right amount of spices which do not dominate the palate.

Serving type: bottle

12-21-2012 01:51:29 | More by CHADMC3

rlee1390

Indiana

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

A-Translucent ruby, some carbonation, one finger head that tries to leave behind some lacing

S-Spices, nuts, some roasted malt, vanilla, sugar.

T-Spices, nuts, some malt that balances nicely with the spices, not much bitterness. Pine and brown sugar.

M-Light to medium bodied, nice carbonation, smooth.

O-A nice spice forward Christmas brew.

Serving type: bottle

12-16-2012 19:30:26 | More by rlee1390

Flightoficarus

Washington

4.23/5  rDev +13.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

It's that time of year for winter ales again! Finally giving this one a shot.

A - Pours a copper-mahogany hue, with a nice two-finger tan head. Lacing is pretty minimal after the head is gone though.

S - Smell is of molasses, candied fruits (orange is most prevalent), caramel, and various spices.

T - Mmm..taste is of rich, bready caramel malts, with candied plums, oranges, cinnamon, and nutmeg, with a hint of nuttiness. Finishes with just a hint of hoppiness. This is one complex, and very tasty winter brew!

M - Full bodied, with just the right, modest amount of carbonation. Pretty easy to drink, and satisfying at the same time.

O - This one was a pleasant surprise for sure. Very good winter ale for a very cheap price! I'm going to have to hunt some more of this down, and very soon!

Serving type: bottle

12-10-2012 10:36:11 | More by Flightoficarus

JMad

Texas

4.05/5  rDev +8.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Pours a dark brownish gold color with a foamy off white head. Surprisingly I could smell fresh peaches, lots of caramel and some citrus. The taste is very piney with followed by a candy like sweetness and lots fresh hop flavor. The beer is medium bodied and the carbonation makes it feel soft and silky with a nice dry finish. I thoroughly enjoyed this winter warmer and plan on buying some more.

Serving type: bottle

11-24-2012 20:38:45 | More by JMad

BikingDutchman

Iowa

4.2/5  rDev +12.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

A - Pours a dark reddish copper color with a thick fluffy off white head. Lacing is pretty and the head retention is really good.

S - Smells balanced between caramel notes and fruity hop scents. Some brown sugar smells come through too.

T - Very balanced between the Chinook hops and the sweet malt flavors. The malt tastes like brown sugar, kind of like a Christmas cookie. Sweet, but definitely not cloying. The sweet taste covers up any alcohol flavors.

M - Medium bodied with an almost slick feel.

O - One of my favorite winter seasonals that I buy every year. I absolutely love the fresh hopped Chinook flavor and aroma. It fits perfectly with the sweet malt flavors.

Serving type: bottle

11-17-2012 04:41:01 | More by BikingDutchman

IPA1978

Missouri

4.03/5  rDev +8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A. Cloudy copper brown, avg lacing.

S. This beer smells great, brown suga, dry tea, fruity, awesome.

T. I homebrew and use dark brown sugar alot, lends an earthy molasses sweetness that stands out in this brew. Light phenol, fruity alcohol. Medium hops.

M. Typical blvd beer mouthfeel, lots of fine co2, medium body.

O. A go to holiday staple. Great at room temp.

Serving type: bottle

11-17-2012 04:02:11 | More by IPA1978

billab914

Virginia

3.75/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

12oz bottle poured into my Devil's Backbone glass. It poured caramel brown in color with a frothy, bubbly head covering the top. Good head retention.

The aroma has a good amount of malty, caramel flavors to it with some notes of brown sugar as well. I get some herbal spices to it as well, which compliment the maltiness pretty well.

The taste shows a little more of a herbal hoppiness to it with a touch of pine and citrus. The malty, caramel and brown sugar flavors come out as well, especially in the finish. It comes together pretty well.

The mouthfeel is medium bodied with carbonation being a little above average. Overall it was a pretty good beer. Pretty flavorful and easy drinking. There wasn't really anything really outstanding about it but it was a pretty solid version of the style.

Serving type: bottle

03-10-2012 23:51:12 | More by billab914

TheCondor

Missouri

4.23/5  rDev +13.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I really enjoyed this brew when I had it around Christmas time. Lo and behold, I’m in this ghetto little liquor store I’ve never been in the other day, and I ask the guy for some Boulevard. He points me in the right direction and says “I gotta get rid of this Nutcracker Ale s*it, or it’ll go bad. I’ll give you half price.” Ok. Did you really have to twist my arm? Poured from bottle into pint glass.

Appearance – Pours an awesome looking dark amber/toffee color with a nice three finger head and excellent lacing for the entirety of the glass. It’s everything I remembered this beer to be.

Smell – The nose on this brew is interesting. At first whiff it kinda smells like a pale ale, but after a few sniffs there is certainly a malty presence and even a subdued spice in the smell. Got a nice pine, citrus hoppiness.

Taste – Malts and spices up front, on target with the winter warmer style. What I really like about it is the citrusy and pine hops at the finish to balance it out. A good combination, not like many other winter warmers I have had. I really enjoy this brew, kinda wish they did it year-round.

Mouthfeel – Light bodied with some decent carbonation to it. Not too bad at all. Finishes with some bitterness that will stay with you a minute.

Overall – Like I said, I really like this beer, and wish they would do it year round and just call it something else. It’s got a decent ABV, tastes good, just presents a taste and style combination that you don’t see every day, which I think is what makes it so fun. I could easily drink a copious amount of this brew while I read a book by the fire in between runs for logs. Awesome.

Serving type: bottle

02-25-2012 04:02:03 | More by TheCondor

Treebs

Illinois

3.13/5  rDev -16.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

12 oz. bottle served in a DFH signature glass. Best by 2/28/2012.

A: Pours a light plum color with some mixes of brown also. The head is very large on the pour, about two inches in height, that sticks around for quite some time and leaves some sticky sheets of lace.

S: Caramel malts, some dark fruit, light sweetness and yeasty spice all mix in the nose. Doesn't really smell like the typical winter warmer.

T: The toffee malts are the base for the taste, but the yeast really comes through giving it a little spice. Some clove and sweet fruits round it out.

M: Medium bodied with medium carbonation. Slighty chewy texture. It just doesn't seem to work with this style.

O: This isn't your typical winter warmer. I thought it was more of a weizenbock type beer than anything else. Not a bad beer, but nothing special by any means and don't go in thinking you're going to get a boozy and sweet winter warmer.

Serving type: bottle

01-18-2012 14:43:48 | More by Treebs

StonedTrippin

Colorado

3.95/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

pours a mellow cherry red color with a gentle haze. huge white fluffy head sits atop this holiday looking beer. smells a but fruity, with plums, cherries, and maybe even figs in the nose. a slight sour smelling as well, which isnt entirely enticing. taste is surprisingly complex for what is billed as a winter warmer. i taste none of the usual alcoholic sweetness i ascribe the this genre of beer. theres a definite malt profile to this one tempered by some fruity yeasty things. mild honey and allspice flavors in the background too. mouthfeel is very nice, with an almost belgian style vibrancy to the feel, with a lovely dried fruit finish. i could wish for a higher abv here, but this one works just as it is.

Serving type: bottle

01-16-2012 18:41:49 | More by StonedTrippin

icecube

Minnesota

3.6/5  rDev -3.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Appearance: A little cloudy reddish color

Smell: A mix of maltiness and cedar hops

Taste: Sweet, bready malts with a medium hoppy finish.

Mouthfeel: Light to Medium bodied with medium carbonation. Aftertastes linger slightly.

Drinkability: I enjoyed this beer for a winter seasonal. It has a nice balance of malt and hops. There are so many bad Winter beers this falls in the good but not great category. I like a little spice in my Winter brews but not too much.

Serving type: bottle

01-02-2012 20:01:14 | More by icecube

tykees88

Indiana

3.33/5  rDev -10.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A- nice two finger head. Pretty nice golden color.

S- Smells like fresh hops. Very interesting. Not what you would expect from a winter warmer.

T- Taste is like a pale ale with a slight bit of spice to it.

M- Light bodied. Just the opposite of what I would expect

O-It's avg. to above. Just a fresh hop ale that I would like more under a different name and style

Serving type: bottle

01-02-2012 17:09:23 | More by tykees88

chilidog

Ohio

3.85/5  rDev +3.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Picked this up in a samplar pack in western Indiana, surprised and glad i got this beer.

Pours a nice dark amber hue, tanny head that does disapate and spots to lace.

Aroma os spice, pine and hoppy floralness.

Taste is allspice, cinnamon with clove and then a citric hop wave rolls over it all. A bready toast or biscuit malt backs things up nicely.

Mouth is left with a hoppy, leaf like finish.

Overall a surprised holiday ale indeed. The hop is the surprise for there is alot more than expected for a holiday ale.

Serving type: bottle

01-01-2012 15:47:37 | More by chilidog

imasloth

Texas

3.73/5  rDev 0%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A- Poured into a glass goblet, the ale is brown with a reddish-orange twinge. The pour gives a thin almond-coloured head that recedes quickly into a rim around the top of the liquid. Sediment (yeast) remains at the bottom of the bottle.

S- Sweet, piney, citrus. Malt, hops, and hops respectively. Some very light spicy notes.

T- Good-balanced upfront with both malt and the citrus hops. Followed by strong bittering, piney flavor that finishes. Mix of citrus and piney aftertaste.

M- Fairly light bodied and smooth, until the bitterness hits your salivary glands and makes them pucker a bit. Some dryness in the after-feel.

O- Good, hoppy addition to the seasonal ale rotation. Nothing overwhelming but decent enough.

Serving type: bottle

12-29-2011 00:03:42 | More by imasloth

Docer

Washington

3.63/5  rDev -2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Appearance: (4.0)
- Semi-cloudy amber brew with a couple fingers of slow forming light tan head. The head has settled leaving some bubbly lace behind with a thin pillowing blanket above the ale. Solid.

Smell: (4.0)
- Light zingy spice, a pleasant citrus zest and almost orange peel character, light brown sugar, and a touch of molasses. Overall a unique and pretty good smell.. almost like a fruitcake without being overwhelming. Perhaps some light bitter grassy hops.

Taste: (3.5)
- Indeed like a waldorph's salad of sorts. Fruity canned mandarin orange, grape peel, and light sweet bready grain with a hint of molasses and/or brown sugar. Very interesting and unique brew. Love the bitter earthy hops to balance it out.

Mouth Feel: (3.5)
- Lightly creamy and smooth medium bodied brew. Plenty carbonated and easy to belch. Bit chewy and drying, and has a very tart bitterness that leaves a little zingy feel on the tongue. Not bad.

Overall: (3.5)
- I like this better than most winter beers that seem too sweet and loaded with spice. This one takes on a whole different spectrum of winter flavors. Seriously, we all know those fruity salads with mayo and walnuts. This is much like that, an amber with all those flavors without the dank mayo and nutty flavor. Not bad.

Serving type: bottle

12-27-2011 04:12:13 | More by Docer

tsauce2

Indiana

3.93/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

P: 12 fl oz bottle in to a globe glass.

A: SRM is deep amber. Cloudy but without particles/sediment. Head is off white, 1 in, dissipates to 1 cm. Medium carbonation. Light lacing.

S: Very fragrant. A lot of things going on, but all are well balanced. Light citrus (orange), nuts (cashew?), hops, and malt.

T: Follows nose. Many levels to this beer, but all blend well. Initially, hops and citrus additions hit, followed by malt and a touch of nuttiness and spice. Aftertaste is slightly bitter, slightly acidic/citrusy, and malty.

M: Medium body. MF is multifaceted due to diversity of ingredients. At first, this beer gives a hoppy and citrusy mf, but then malt hits with a light sweetness and nuttiness. Finishes semi wet.

O: Very interesting and complex. Easy drinking and quite fun to think about all of the things that go in to this beer. Will buy this beer again.

Serving type: bottle

12-26-2011 14:48:31 | More by tsauce2

KDawg

Illinois

3.53/5  rDev -5.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

poured from bottle into a pint glass. Pours a nice medium amber color

very good aromas of christmas spices, malts and some roasted nuts along with some resiny hop aromas as well.

medium bodied with a good attack, but lacking on the mid and back palate. Good flavors of spices, caramel, and malts

a very good christmas ale. Straight forward, but lacking a slight bit of the taste and feel.

Serving type: bottle

12-26-2011 02:13:00 | More by KDawg

match1112

Illinois

3.93/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

a: pours out the color of liquid caramel with alot of floaties in there, guess that's the unfiltered part. a thin tan head left within seconds and just a small thin layer is left on top.

s: rather inviting. hints of roasted nuts, spice, malts and hops.

t: a nice spicy and nutty taste before it gives way to a well blended hop finish.

m: full body and a little chewy. carbonation tickles the tongue and the hops provide a nice dry finish.

o: not a big fan of winter warmers, but this is one i can and will drink more of. everything is well blended and balanced.

Serving type: bottle

12-25-2011 15:28:53 | More by match1112