Hoppy Holidaze - Marin Brewing Company

sweethome

Illinois

3.3/5  rDev -7.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Pour is a hazy, limp gold. A little white head.

Nutmeg jumps out on nose. Sweetness of applesauce.

Smooth and creamy entry. Hints of ginger...honey. Sweet maltiness, some hops in the back help cleanse the finish. Long spicy flavors on finish - cinammon comes in on finish.

Lacks complexity of flavor and hops backing that I like from this style.

Serving type: bottle

11-12-2011 06:52:21 | More by sweethome

jvillefan

California

3.5/5  rDev -1.7%

02-08-2013 17:36:46 | More by jvillefan

popery

California

3/5  rDev -15.7%

02-03-2013 18:32:11 | More by popery

Gobzilla

California

4/5  rDev +12.4%

01-17-2013 06:07:39 | More by Gobzilla

ChanChan

California

3.75/5  rDev +5.3%

01-15-2013 17:24:41 | More by ChanChan

sandiego67

California

4/5  rDev +12.4%

12-22-2012 04:13:35 | More by sandiego67

CEDAMA

California

5/5  rDev +40.4%

11-03-2012 08:33:36 | More by CEDAMA

beerpadawan

California

3.75/5  rDev +5.3%

08-27-2012 16:25:18 | More by beerpadawan

KevdoggNasty

3.75/5  rDev +5.3%

03-30-2012 06:39:27 | More by KevdoggNasty

rand

California

3.65/5  rDev +2.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

From 650 mL bomber to Mikasa pint glass

A: Spot on apricot in color, clear and quite pretty. Forms a small wispy head that dissipates quickly, leaving scant lacing.

S: The bouquet is the highlight of the brew as it gives off distinct aromas of orange-chocolate candy, nutmeg and clove, with a doughy, pastry-like malt sweetness that works as a backdrop. There isn't much in the way of hop or alcohol presence to speak of, but this smells lovely.

T: At the front of the sip your palate is met by the array of described holiday spices, with a touch of earthy, tea-like hop flavors to break up the festive sweetness. But then, "pfft', gone. It's like the flavors neutralize each other and your palate is left with a subtle citrusy malt flavor that rapidly retracts.

M: And the relatively light body contributes to this flavor-vanishing act. I didn't notice it at first, but the beer lacks weight and viscosity for its attempted style and flavor-profile.

Hmmm, strange beer. When you pop the cap you smell nothing but holiday goodness, but flavors just don't go far enough. This isn't to say it's not drinkable. In fact, far from it - this goes down pretty easy. But it's as if the subtle hop presence nukes the tasty holiday flavors, and the back of the swallow is almost...watery? Well, not watery, but tamed, and the brew would do so much better if it aimed a little "bigger".

Serving type: bottle

03-16-2012 07:15:00 | More by rand

UCLABrewN84

California

3.55/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Pours a slightly murky light orange with a 1 inch foamy bone colored head that fades to a film on the top of the beer. Thin rings of lace line the glass on the drink down. Smell is of malt, citrus fruits, and a blend of spices. Taste is of slightly sour citrus fruit, bubblegum, and the spice flavors (although nothing stands out on its own). There is a very mild sourness that lingers on the tongue after each sip. This beer has a crisp mouthfeel and is a bit drying on the palate. Overall, this is a pretty good Winter beer from Marin that is easy to drink.

Serving type: bottle

01-10-2012 03:44:41 | More by UCLABrewN84

quantumcipher

California

3/5  rDev -15.7%

01-07-2012 22:40:22 | More by quantumcipher

brotherloco

California

3.9/5  rDev +9.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

22oz bomber. 2011 vintage. Served in a tapered 22oz glass.

Pours a cloudy gold with a finger of white foam. Head settles, but doesn't disappear. Moderate amounts of lacing in the glass.

Aroma is mostly of bold christmas spices. Cinnamon and nutmeg come on strong with a touch of orange peel. Grainy malt in background. Hops seem fairly neutral, or are just buried by the spices.

Taste is very sweet, spicy, and a little fruity. There's an initial tartness that is quickly overwhelmed by sweet malts. Spices emerge in the middle along with some citrusy fruits. Finish stays sweet and spicy and lingers for quite awhile. No sign of the moderately high ABV in the flavor. Really nice flavor and better than the nose.

Medium-full body with medium-low carbonation. A touch thick but seems good for a winter warmer.

I really like this beer. Obviously the name is more of a pun than an indication that this is an amped-up hoppy beer, but I'm not going to hold it against them.

Serving type: bottle

01-02-2012 05:04:33 | More by brotherloco

leprakhan

California

4/5  rDev +12.4%

12-28-2011 05:29:46 | More by leprakhan

Beerandraiderfan

Nevada

3.38/5  rDev -5.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Comes out looking like liquid caramel, but there is a ton of haze in the beer. Small white head. Aroma was very sweet, that was the most obvious thing. For having hoppy in the name, it was one of the least hoppy beers aroma wise.

Taste, still not much in the way of hops, but who jacks up a bunch of hops in their winter warmer anyway? More big time caramel sweetness. Pretty sticky stuff. Legitimate amount of malt heft to this one. Not overly spicy, just a bit of cinnamon and mint in very low leves. Might as well round that out with a pinch of nutmeg and a somewhat peppery aftertaste given how sweet the initial sips were.

Serving type: bottle

12-27-2011 03:14:14 | More by Beerandraiderfan

TGS

California

4/5  rDev +12.4%

12-19-2011 01:58:02 | More by TGS

kojevergas

California

3.5/5  rDev -1.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Served on-draught into a Spaten halbelitre glass in low altitude Orange, California. Reviewed from notes. I didn't know what to expect. I didn't pair it with food.

A: Pours a 2.5 finger head of fair cream, decent thickness, and good retention. Colour is a hazy orange-gold.

Sm: Orange peel and barley. A mild strength aroma.

T: Orange peel, clean barley, and light malt. Simple but pleasant. Balanced well and decently built.

Mf: Smooth and wet, suiting the flavours. Not too thick or too thin.

Dr: Very drinkable and pleasant. Lovely on draught, but it might be too sharp out of the bottle. I'd have it again.

Serving type: on-tap

12-18-2011 23:29:52 | More by kojevergas

whatthehull

California

3.68/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Tulip

A - nice semi cloudy orange/amber, one finger off white head and some decent lacing

S - seriously smells exactly like it tastes.

T - winter spices, super sweet, nice wheat note, some bready yeast, slightly nutty, cinnamon, a bit of citrus zest, sugar cookies, pumpkin pie, lots of sweet and toasted malt flavors, a nice crisp hop, some earth and a fresh rainy day smell/taste

M - full bodied, very low acidity, nice balance and complexity and medium plus finish

D - drinks awesome! One of my favorite winter warms, it tastes like Christmas and thanksgiving, reminds me of home and tastes just great. I think anyone can get into this one

Final thought - at $4 a pop, a 7% abv this is a great starter for craft brew and just fun and yummy

Serving type: bottle

12-13-2011 09:40:03 | More by whatthehull

Halcyondays

California

3.63/5  rDev +2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

22 oz. bomber,

A: Pours an amber orange with a medium white head. Good retention, with spots of lace.

S: Cinnamon and orange, with some pale malt, like a light spiced cookie.

T: Good winter spicing, orange, cinnamon and mace with some bready malt character. Wishing the malt could be a little darker, this is really more like a spiced ESB, but it still works.

M: Medium-bodied, soft yet crisp carbonation. Frothy at times.

O: A solid winter beer and one I haven't had in a long time. The flavours are good, they don't mesh as well as I would have hoped, but it's still well made.

Serving type: bottle

12-08-2011 02:49:08 | More by Halcyondays

MareInfinitus

California

4/5  rDev +12.4%

11-29-2011 02:15:15 | More by MareInfinitus

mactrail

California

3/5  rDev -15.7%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Sweet and reeking of cinnamon. Not to mention cloves and nutmeg and Karo syrup. Gummi worms and Red Hots. Looks nice with the brownish golden color and lots of foam and lacing. Plenty of carbonation and a little slick in the mouth. Light body. A dirty hop taste on the back of my tongue. Very long nose of the spice mix followed by the bitterness.

I can't think why this is a Winter Warmer-- should just call it what it is-- seriously spiced beer.

Who started this spiced ale-pumpkin pie thing in the US? I blame Anchor. At least they have had some subtlety most years.

Serving type: bottle

11-26-2011 06:40:51 | More by mactrail

Rempo

Indiana

3/5  rDev -15.7%

11-20-2011 23:35:31 | More by Rempo

mikechance

California

3.58/5  rDev +0.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Reviewed from a 22 oz. bottle

A --- nice straw color (almost Kellerweis like)

S --- hops, hints of honey, spices and sweetness

T --- nutmeg, orange, honey and sweet

M --- medium body, smooth, oily, and creamy

O --- This is a delightful beer. It's very sweet, but goes down very smooth. A bottle now and then is perfect (22 oz. is about my max on it). A little something to spice it up would be nice. At it's price point it's worth buying --- I will add it to my yearly holiday beer buying list.

Serving type: bottle

11-18-2011 02:07:40 | More by mikechance

beagle75

Iowa

3.83/5  rDev +7.6%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a bomber into a tulip glass.

A: Slightly hazy, medium amber color with less than one finger of diminishing eggshell foam head. No lacing remains on the glass.

S: Syrupy fruitcake, caramel, cloves, orange peel, and vanilla.

T: Begins surprisingly dry, mild-flavored with peppery spice and slight toffee. Flavors become more acidic in the middle, revealing cloves and vanilla as malt turns strongly toasty. The finish is brief and very mild, with low bitterness and baking spices.

M: Medium viscosity, stays fairly labile on the palate, with low carbonation.

D: As a winter ale this one delivers all that it promises. Sensory qualities stay enticing without fatiguing the palate. This is a holiday seasonal to look forward to; like other noteworthy representatives of this style, it changes in small ways every year.

Serving type: bottle

12-08-2010 16:10:56 | More by beagle75

BretSikkink

Mexico

3.55/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Light golden orange color with nice hazing. Bland white hand without much character, lacing doesn't do much either. Lots of orange cleaner in the nose, with other light fruity sweetness. Pale malt only.

The spicing is a bit exotic, but not necessarily in a fantastic way. Hops are only mildly present (disappointing given the name) and the malt backbone is quite thin and weak. Sweet trumps here, with the vanilla and nutmeg eking out cinnamon and whatever else on the spice front. To me, this is a strange mix of flavors without a lot of body to drive it home.

Serving type: bottle

11-30-2010 04:01:38 | More by BretSikkink