Secret Santa Reviews 2024

[Twostage]

First of my secret Santa's (been hectic over Christmas ).

The Hopfenweiss on the left (one I haven't heard of)...

Poured nicely, reminded me a bit of a saison (which I like) with a hint of coriander and 'wheatiness'. Really liked it.

Thank you Santa

 

[phildo79]

Third secret Santa beer and it is a cider. Not my usual drink but it is crisp, refreshing, tastes of apples and lively. Works for me. Cheers, Santa.

 

[UKSkydiver]

My first review of SS2024

Ruby Mild 4.7%

Little pfft on opening. Had to pour from a little height to get a little head. My preference.

Nice and clear, mid brown colour. Lighter than I'd expect for a ruby.

I'm not great at discerning aromas, very similar to a couple I've brewed. Smells like beer - nothing dodgy.

Great taste. Much like a standard bitter. I'd be happy with this if I were to order in an ale pub.

Thank you so much for sharing.

 

[YeastFace]

Baltic Porter. Thought I'd taken a photo but can't find it.

This may have got shaken a bit en route, otherwise high carbonation, as foam came over the top of the glass when I turned my back after pouring.

Aroma was stewed fruits, chocolate, coffee, and light roast. Flavour was similar. Full bodied, sweet, and some alcohol warmth. Enjoyable beer, thank you Santa.

 

[Stu's Brews]

After spending an enjoyable couple of days with the family, I've now got the house to myself so I can give these the attention they deserve.

First up is an Oatmeal Stout. Very dark brown to black colour with a tan head that retains well. A very inviting chocolate aroma, which carries through to the flavour where it is backed up by some caramel sweetness and dried fruits. Smooth mouthfeel and a good level of carbonation make for a very easy drinking beer.

Thanks for sharing - a very nice beer!

 

[Justin Dean]

View attachment 107388

After spending an enjoyable couple of days with the family, I've now got the house to myself so I can give these the attention they deserve.

First up is an Oatmeal Stout. Very dark brown to black colour with a tan head that retains well. A very inviting chocolate aroma, which carries through to the flavour where it is backed up by some caramel sweetness and dried fruits. Smooth mouthfeel and a good level of carbonation make for a very easy drinking beer.

Thanks for sharing - a very nice beer!

Thank you for the comments. You are welcome

 

[starseeker]

My first review of SS2024

Ruby Mild 4.7%

Little pfft on opening. Had to pour from a little height to get a little head. My preference.

Nice and clear, mid brown colour. Lighter than I'd expect for a ruby.

I'm not great at discerning aromas, very similar to a couple I've brewed. Smells like beer - nothing dodgy.

Great taste. Much like a standard bitter. I'd be happy with this if I were to order in an ale pub.

Thank you so much for sharing.
View attachment 107383

Thank you UkSkydiver & NucBrewer for you kind reviews, glad you enjoyed it

 

[starseeker]

Here is my first secret Santa review for a 5.4 percent, Saison ,

Poured with a nice head and lovely and clear ,first taste is citrus fruits and lovely carbonation ,this is a real thirst quencher and i really enjoyed it ,this is a very well crafted beer ,thank you

 

[allotment_fox]

My first Secret Santa beer tonight it's a Black IPA 6.5%

:- Nice little hiss an a bit of smoke, jug at the ready in case of a gusher after it's post office adventures to the allotmentfox towers, but not needed at all. It's a lovely beer to poor, as seen In photo

A nice little mellow tan head that stuck around till the end with a nice bit of lacing down a straight glass.

Not a sign of the dreaded HB twang anywhere just a warm smell of dark malt & coffee

The beer was well conditioned and spot on for an IPA it's a very dark black beer but also very clear not sure what yeast was used could be something along the lines of S05 made great carbonation spot on

A real strong roast malty toffee / coffee taste that lingers on the dry side all that's missing is the camp fire and marsh mellows on a stick

Thanks very much Santa a 5 star beer I would be proud to have made

 

[Stu's Brews]

My second beer is 'Ding Dong Bells'. No other information on the bottle so I'm going in blind on style and strength.

Pours a hazy red-brown, with a small white head that drops back to a small ring after a while in the glass. Aroma is hop forward, predominantly stone fruits with a little malt character in the background. Flavour is similar, initially a big hit of fruity hops followed up by some caramel/toffee malt. Moderate level of bitterness and a clean, if slightly sweet, finish.

Another nice beer. If I had to guess the intended style then I'd say it was a Red IPA. Thanks for sharing!

 

[Begbie]

Sorry to Secret Santas for my late reviews - a busy couple of days at the in-laws!

Second review for the second bottle received from one Secret Santa - a Midland Mild at 4%.

Little hiss on opening again, but poured a big fluffy off-white head that reduced, but hung around until the end. Very dark, slight red/brown tint and bright.

I got a little hint of sweetness in the aroma and flavour, maybe toffee and some dark fruit.

Don't think I've ever had this style but I really enjoyed this. Might need to look into brewing this! Again, recipe would be greatly appreciated! Well done.

 

[allotment_fox]

My second Secret Santa beer tonight it's an imperial stout to end the night @ 8.5 %

Nice hiss with light smoke, always a jug at the ready in case of a gusher after it's post office adventures to the allotmentfox towers, but not needed again It's a lovely beer to poor, as seen In my photo.

A nice little light tan head that soon settled down in my bulbous shaped glass. Not a sign of the dreaded HB twang anywhere just a dark malt sweet aroma chocolate light vanilla at the end

The beer was well conditioned clearly a all grain brew very dark black beer but also very clear and well aged in the bottle as an imperial stout should be

A very rich malty toffee / coffee chocolate taste that well rounded mouth feel (I want the recipe for this one ) it's a late night winter fireside drink the sort to finish the night off with.
Thanks very much Santa another 5 star beer I would be proud to have made

 

[dave_77]

First of my beers, Belgian witbier.
Malt and yeast on the aroma, nice fluffy head on pouring. Maybe a little dark for a Wit, looked more like a Belgian pale or Heffe. Not getting much in the way of coriander or orange, fairly mild Belgian yeast character. Nice drinkable beer, tasted like a Belgian pale to me which I liked.thanks for sending.

 

[Libigage]

My first secret santa, Murgy Straight, using citra a talus.Slight haze from the wheat, nice citrus flavour with what seems to be a bit of clove. Perfect carbination. Very enjoyable, thank you

 

[Twostage]

After spending an enjoyable couple of days with the family, I've now got the house to myself

That must be heaven

 

[stubrewworx]

1st review as I was away from home over Christmas itself and I didn’t want to churn the bottles again…

I’m not great on critique as I barely have a sense of smell (Covid), and certainly don’t have the palette or vocabulary!

Due to the cloudy/hazy appearance in the bottle I was expecting a hazy ipa or Weiss beer, but on the pour after a little hiss it proved different.

Golden orange colour, not hazy but not crystal clear. No head but adequate carbonation.

Who knows the aroma?

I didn’t get a lot of malt character, but I did get fruity citrus flavours from the hops, medium bitterness.

Subtly American pale or English golden ale?

Enjoyable beer that I’d definitely drink again

Thanks Santa.

 

[stubrewworx]

2nd beer - an ESB, one of my favourite styles.

Colour is where I’d expect it, a nice copper with excellent clarity. Bottled from keg I think the notes said?

Poured into a nucleated glass but no head (no problem for me!). Carbonation was spot on.

Again, nothing I can note on aroma! (Haven’t smelled a dog fart in almost 2 years!).

Caramel and hints of toast, with notable bitterness that cuts any chance of residual sweetness.

Throughly enjoyable ESB that doesn’t feel 5.8%, although a second probably would.

 

[stubrewworx]

3rd and final ss beer - spiced winter warmer.

I always approach these beers with trepidation as I’m not keen on spiced beers, but this was lovely.

Colour was an ideal reddish brown, pulling you in from the cold and providing a warm reassurance.

Poured into same glass after the ESB and kept a small head, actually enlarged after this photo. Again, carbed just right.

Caramel and toffee with a hint of spices (guessing cinnamon was there?), a bit more hop flavour than the ESB? But certainly sweeter finish as you’d expect.

Nice fire side beer.

Thanks to the two Santa’s

 

[Stu]

Tonight, I'm drinking a Cold IPA.
I've not come across one of these before and had to look up the style. It's a crisp West Coast style, often made with a mix of ale and lager yeasts and made cold like a lager. Very hop forward.

And this absolutely meets the criteria. It's great. Very clean and clear. Not much head, but that's fine.
Lovely. Thank you whoever made this.

 

[pmh]

Tonight, I'm drinking a Cold IPA.
I've not come across one of these before and had to look up the style. It's a crisp West Coast style, often made with a mix of ale and lager yeasts and made cold like a lager. Very hop forward.

And this absolutely meets the criteria. It's great. Very clean and clear. Not much head, but that's fine.
Lovely. Thank you whoever made this.


View attachment 107431

I've not come across this before either, very intrigued