Father Christmas Highland Ale
The Olde Burnside Brewing Company

Father Christmas Highland AleFather Christmas Highland Ale
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From:
The Olde Burnside Brewing Company
 
Connecticut, United States
Style:
Scotch Ale / Wee Heavy
ABV:
9.2%
Score:
87
Avg:
3.88 | pDev: 10.57%
Reviews:
30
Ratings:
58
Status:
Retired
Rated:
Dec 30, 2017
Added:
Jan 27, 2004
Wants:
  7
Gots:
  4
Legend has it that Father Christmas wandered through Scottish villages gathering a merry following and distributing sweets to children and "wee heavy," a cheery libation, to adults. Like its predecessors, Father Christmas is heavy and potent, tremendously and uniquely satisfying and flavorful. The aroma of toasted grain and mocha are mouth-watering. Father Christmas Ale is ruddy and ruby-brown, topped by a thick, loose, tan head. Sweet, roasted malt and mild smoky tastes merge into a phenomenal finish. The tall, cobalt-blue bottle, brightly labeled, makes for a wonderful presentation and host's gift. Delightful in every respect, Father Christmas Highland Ale is a Yuletide staple and Santa's favorite. He enjoys a pint at my house annually and never spares a drop.
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Ratings by kingcrowing:
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Reviewed by kingcrowing from Vermont

3.75/5  rDev -3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Big swing top poured into a tulip.

pours a nice dark ruby red with a small white head with no lacing. Nose is sweet, a bit fruity like cherry.

Taste is pretty dry and fruity but not over the top. Mouthfeel is pretty crisp and sharp and smooth. Overall very easy drinking.
Dec 27, 2010
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 4.01 by TheManiacalOne from Rhode Island

Dec 30, 2017
 
Rated: 4.24 by CTaleMan from Connecticut

Aug 19, 2016
 
Rated: 4.25 by RickyRecord-oh from Connecticut

Aug 08, 2016
 
Rated: 4.02 by rorjets from Connecticut

Feb 24, 2016
 
Rated: 4 by Homebrew from Connecticut

May 16, 2015
 
Rated: 4 by sgregory from Connecticut

Dec 12, 2014
 
Rated: 4.12 by Ryanpro from Connecticut

Dec 06, 2014
 
Rated: 3.5 by slim2043 from Connecticut

Oct 31, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by N1Nkasi from Connecticut

Mar 13, 2014
Photo of KelsoSaaz
Reviewed by KelsoSaaz from Maine

4.19/5  rDev +8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Poured into snifter

A: Pours a deep mahogany brown that shines amber when held to light. Thin, quickly dissipating, khaki head.

S: Woody, peaty and rich cherry aromas up front. Caramel and other sweet malt tones are apparent as well. Earthy and boozy notes too.

T: Sweet and rich malts up front dominate flavors. Not as much cherry flavor as I would have expected. Very soft, medicine and cherry flavors are what you taste here. Earth and slightly tart dark fruit flavors lurk in the background.

M: Very slightly viscous body. Moderate to mild carbonation.

O: A nice winter treat. Malty and sweet with deeper cherry flavors than other similar beers this beer sets itself apart from the pack in a good way. Not your typical scotch ale; this beer is great for philosophical evenings in the dead of winter.
Mar 04, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by edhizdeid from Washington

Feb 16, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by Mess from Massachusetts

Jan 20, 2014
Photo of tigg924
Reviewed by tigg924 from Massachusetts

4.4/5  rDev +13.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
Appearance: high carbonation, 1/4 inch head, clear, brown in color

Smell: peat, caramel, and berries

Taste: big time caramel and cherries, light chocolate and bread

Mouthfeel: very sweet, medium body, moderate carbonation

Overall: I loved this beer and is now one of my favorites coming out of Connecticut. This is a malty dessert beer and not an everyday drinker. The caramel works perfectly with the cherry for a holiday treat. I will be getting this again.
Jan 06, 2014
 
Rated: 4.25 by JTomczak from Connecticut

Dec 29, 2013
 
Rated: 3.5 by Robtobfest from Connecticut

Dec 25, 2013
 
Rated: 4.75 by ejane from Connecticut

Dec 23, 2013
Photo of PicoPapa
Reviewed by PicoPapa from Connecticut

3.71/5  rDev -4.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
12oz bottle. Part of the ever so popular 2 pack.... Pours a dark brown color with some medium brown ruby hues and a half inch of head. Minimal lacing. Aromas of caramel and butterscotch. Malty and boozey. The taste is more of the butterscotch with lots of caramel malts. Slightly watery with lots of alcohol flavor. Earthy towards the end. Slightly medicinal. Butterscotch finish. Mouthfeel is a bit thin. Overall, a decent Scotch Ale I'd buy again, but I'm not a big fan of the 2 pack format.
Dec 02, 2013
 
Rated: 3.75 by Atomicskis5 from Connecticut

Apr 11, 2013
 
Rated: 3.75 by thegerm87 from Massachusetts

Mar 16, 2013
Father Christmas Highland Ale from The Olde Burnside Brewing Company
Beer rating: 87 out of 100 with 58 ratings