Secret Santa Reviews 2020!

[samale]

Not sure about international, but mailing 'non taxed/unlicensed' alcohol is frowned upon in may places

Not in my house, send away I will give it a good home

 

[phildo79]

Russia's greatest f*ck machine - 8.9%

Appearance: good hiss on opening with a bit of smoke from the bottle. Jet black with a thin tan head that fades quickly.
Taste: dark fruit like fig and plum. Subtle chocolate. Alcoholic kick on the backend.
Aroma: dark fruit with possible hint of chocolate.
Mouthfeel: smooth and unxous. Carbed appropriately for the style.
Overall: pretty effing good RIS. I would be happy if I made this.
Thanks Santa

 

[Mrhandsome]

View attachment 38306
Russia's greatest f*ck machine - 8.9%

Appearance: good hiss on opening with a bit of smoke from the bottle. Jet black with a thin tan head that fades quickly.
Taste: dark fruit like fig and plum. Subtle chocolate. Alcoholic kick on the backend.
Aroma: dark fruit with possible hint of chocolate.
Mouthfeel: smooth and unxous. Carbed appropriately for the style.
Overall: pretty effing good RIS. I would be happy if I made this.
Thanks Santa

That's mine, glad you liked it! It's still quite young so I'm hoping it'll improve with age too.

 

[samale]

View attachment 38306
Russia's greatest f*ck machine - 8.9%

Appearance: good hiss on opening with a bit of smoke from the bottle. Jet black with a thin tan head that fades quickly.
Taste: dark fruit like fig and plum. Subtle chocolate. Alcoholic kick on the backend.
Aroma: dark fruit with possible hint of chocolate.
Mouthfeel: smooth and unxous. Carbed appropriately for the style.
Overall: pretty effing good RIS. I would be happy if I made this.
Thanks Santa

You did well this year with two imperial stout's

 

[Oneflewover]

The second of my beers from the very generous Santa who sent me a bonus bottle; Silly Old Sod Bitter.
As with the other offering, this is carbonated perfectly to style, and a vigorous pour again gave a good foam that hung around with attractive lacing. There's not so much going on with this beer, but do you know what it's just a damn good ordinary bitter. That sounds a little like a back-handed compliment, but it's only meant in a positive way. This is, I've found, such a difficult style to get right, and you - dear Santa - clearly know how to brew a bitter. After a day of gluttonous over-indulgence this is just the ticket

 

[samale]

The house has calmed down a bit so it's time to try my imperial stout
Pours like thick black tar, really good carbonation. Nice tan head which lasts the full glass
Aroma I am getting dark chocolate, roast malt, some light sweetness.
Taste: full of body as expected, nice roast malt, dark nutty chocolate. It's like velvet, well judged bitterness.
Overall I am more than happy with this beer. It warms the throat half way down the glass. This is a real sipper, thank you for sending. I think I might know the sender of this one. Well done

 

[phildo79]

That's mine, glad you liked it! It's still quite young so I'm hoping it'll improve with age too.

Well done, fella. That's a pretty good imp you brewed.

 

[phildo79]

You did well this year with two imperial stout's

Certainly did. Love an imp and I got two good'uns.

 

[alefric LeHendz]

Thank was quickly followed by a best bitter, version 7. Lovely mid day drop. Someone must like making bitters. If you are making version 8 you may need to drop the carb slightly.

Thanks, glad you enjoyed it!

 

[DocAnna]

There's going to be a wee bit of a delay with the review of my second Santa beer, I've not had the pleasure of opening it yet and I'm working in the hospital all day tomorrow (Boxing Day) till late. If I'm in any fit state at the end of the day I'll try to review it tomorrow.

Anna

 

[Dads_Ale]

So my second beer was an Imperial Stout at 9.5%

Nice hiss when opening and poured really well resulting a beautiful light brown head.
The aroma reminded me of chocolate and raison and a bit of sherry. Carbonation was spot on and the taste was complex, giving notes of chocolate, molasses and raisons. the alcohol was definitely there but did not overpower the other flavours.
Not a style I try very often but this one was definitely a winner. Great flavour and a lovely balance.

 

[dan125]

First up, this beautiful beer.
View attachment 38286
After popping the top I get a big fruit aroma, which when smelt turns into a white grape and gooseberry, with hallertau blanc really putting in the work.

Body is smooth and soft but not chewy, well rounded finish. All round a really great beer. Very nice
Thanks sender

View attachment 38276
Appearance: light straw and slightly hazy. Looks like the kind of beers I enjoy on the regular (when I can go the pub).
Smell: hoppy, citrussy, lovely HB hops, lightly malty, you can really smell the wheat actually
Taste: citrussy, light, very subtle wheat on the palate, definitely my kind of drink!

Would I be happy if I paid pub prices for it?

Definitely!

That one is from me. Thanks both for the kind reviews and glad you enjoyed.
I was trying to get close to the flavour profile of Duration's excellent Turtles All The Way Down.
Didn't quite nail it but quite pleased for a first attempt.
Enjoy the rest of your Xmas

 

[dave_77]

My first beer, in my excitement I forgot to take a picture

American amber

This beer poured a deep amber colour (as per the name), however my steady pouring gave it no head. But it did give off a beautiful aroma of sweet malt and bright orange scents. With very low carbonation, this beer looked a bit dull in the glass, however it was the complete opposite in taste. The hops came through first, very brightly, as orangey, if it’s not Amarillo then I’ll be damned. And is quickly followed and replaced by a Rich caramel maltiness, but still light, and quit a bit of residual sweetness which all blends together nicely. Overall it’s a very clean finish with just enough bitterness left in he mouth to round it all together. A very well made beer and one I would be proud of. Hats of to the brewer and many thanks for sending me one.

Merry Xmas

Pretty sure this was one of mine even without the photo going by your name and location
Glad you enjoyed and thanks for the review

 

[NPi]

That one is from me. Thanks both for the kind reviews and glad you enjoyed.
I was trying to get close to the flavour profile of Duration's excellent Turtles All The Way Down.
Didn't quite nail it but quite pleased for a first attempt.
Enjoy the rest of your Xmas

Not tried it, but yours was great. What was the thought behind your yeast?

 

[dan125]

Not tried it, but yours was great. What was the thought behind your yeast?

My first time using it (Safale k-97).
I bought a couple of packs after hearing it was a clean neutral yeast from @dave_77 and it just seemed like a good time to try with the German H Blanc hops.
I'd definitely use the yeast again but if I rebrew the beer I'll probably go with us05 or similar

 

[Leon103]

That one is from me. Thanks both for the kind reviews and glad you enjoyed.
I was trying to get close to the flavour profile of Duration's excellent Turtles All The Way Down.
Didn't quite nail it but quite pleased for a first attempt.
Enjoy the rest of your Xmas

Yes turtles is a lovely wheat beer.

 

[Benfleet Brewery]

My second secret Santa is a Quadruple. This is not a style I’ve ever tried before so wouldn’t know how true to style it was from experience. However, a quick skim through the BJCP guidelines seemed to suggest it was a very good example. The top opened with a hiss followed by some foam trying to creep out of the top. Poured with quite a lot of fizz and was very effervescent in the glass but with very little if no head. I hope I didn’t have a dirty glass that killed it but this didn’t spoil anything about the beer apart from appearance. Im not the best at describing aromas and flavours usually but this had Christmas cake all over it for me. Dark fruits, brown sugar and alcohol, but all coming together to make a very nice drop of beer indeed. The alcohol content was very evident which ensured this was sipped and not gulped which is just how it should be. Even my wife commented that it lasted me a long time! Having tried this I would now quite like to brew this myself in a small batch just to have a few bottles put aside for those special occasions. I loved it. Thanks Santa.

 

[pmh]

My second secret Santa is a Quadruple. This is not a style I’ve ever tried before so wouldn’t know how true to style it was from experience. However, a quick skim through the BJCP guidelines seemed to suggest it was a very good example. The top opened with a hiss followed by some foam trying to creep out of the top. Poured with quite a lot of fizz and was very effervescent in the glass but with very little if no head. I hope I didn’t have a dirty glass that killed it but this didn’t spoil anything about the beer apart from appearance. Im not the best at describing aromas and flavours usually but this had Christmas cake all over it for me. Dark fruits, brown sugar and alcohol, but all coming together to make a very nice drop of beer indeed. The alcohol content was very evident which ensured this was sipped and not gulped which is just how it should be. Even my wife commented that it lasted me a long time! Having tried this I would now quite like to brew this myself in a small batch just to have a few bottles put aside for those special occasions. I loved it. Thanks Santa.

Starting with a quad at this time, I'm liking the dedication

 

[SteveH]

My second was a very tasty "Groundswell English Porter"

Nicely packaged in a can with label, poured with thin head that persisted and low/moderate carbonation that's well suited to the style.

Subtle roast aroma, and rich malty flavour, roasty with dried/ripe fruit and burnt toffee notes. Well balanced with moderate bitterness.

I really enjoyed this, and compared after with a similar abv Porter from our local brewery, I definitely preferred the homebrew, great job! :hat:

Thanks Santa and merry Christmas!

 

[Benfleet Brewery]

Starting with a quad at this time, I'm liking the dedication

Ha ha, I should explain. I’m just posting my review from notes taken yesterday. I’m not that hard