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| HOLIDAY ALE FROM MISSION BREWERY SAN DIEGO |
From the Beer Writer: Regardless which of the “happy
holidays” you celebrate, ‘tis no style more fitting of current Beer of the Week
status than a Christmas ale. This is Christmas after all and one needn’t align
with the Christian faith to get in on a heart-warming, winter-ready, robust and
flavorful brew like Mission Holiday Ale. Produced by Santa’s little helpers at
Mission Brewery in downtown’s East Village, the beer fits the figgy pudding
bill right off the shelf thanks to a beautiful bottle featuring a gold
Christmas tree ornament adorned with a holly-berry red Spanish warship. Kudos
to the clever artist who added snowflakes shaped like Mission’s cross logo to
the equation. But beyond aesthetics, this beer rings true with holiday ale
appeal thanks to big flavors of dried dark fruits like raisins, currants,
prunes, dates and (Mission) figs, with bittersweetness up-front that gives way
to slight smokiness in the finish. That multi-layered depth makes this quaff a
refreshing alternative to eggnog, spiked cider and mulled wine. Also, the fact
it slides snugly into a stocking cannot be overlooked. Cheers and Merry
Christmas from West Coaster.
From the Brewer: “As the temperatures begin to drop,
we find most of our customers slow down a bit on the lighter beer styles and
prefer a more robust offering. While we offer porters and stouts, when we
decided to brew the Holiday Ale, we looked to a more complex flavor profile
that would both pair beautifully with a holiday meal, but also stand on its
own. Looking to dark fruits, figs, and candied sugar, a dark Belgian ale seemed
to be the natural choice. Our Belgian dark strong ale is a full-bodied beer
that will happily accompany you into the winter season. It is our second
Belgian-style offering—the bigger, bolder brother of Cortez Gold. The higher
alcohol content in this beer will keep you warm during those frigid San Diego
nights. That 8.6% alcohol-by-volume is
balanced by a hefty grain bill featuring a plethora of roasted malts.
The Belgian yeast gives this beer an incredible flavor profile that features
plum, dried cherry, raisin and fig. It’s dark, smooth and rich—our version of
the perfect cold weather beer.”—John Egan, Head Brewer & Operations
Manager, Mission Brewery
From the Bottle: This Belgian-style Dark Ale
delivers the promise of the holidays, both indulgent and delicious. Dark, rich
and smooth, this ale is sure to delight the senses. Complex aromas of raisin,
plum and fig, with light Belgian-style spiciness, Mission Holiday Ale proves to
be an indulgent treat for the holiday season. Here for a limited time; give a
little, keep a little.
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