Coborn's Tasting Today!

I fell behind schedule and didn't get this post up as early as I would have liked...  Oh well, better late than never, right? This is very short notice for any of you who read the blog, but here goes:

Today, from 2 - 6pm, I'll be pouring some delicious samples at the Hastings Coborn's Liquor. What's more, this will be my first time sharing delicious brews with you since I officially became a Certified Cicerone®! Stop by the store and have a taste from these options:

• Bell's Christmas Ale
• Green Flash Le Freak Belgian IPA
• Samuel Adams Merry Maker Gingerbread Stout
• Summit Unchained Batch 14 Biere de Garde

Also be sure to enjoy a little beer talk with me while you're there. I can help you find the perfect brews for gifts and/or pairing with your holiday meals!

I hope to see you there!

Beer Brief #53 - Old Friend Holiday Ale

Brewery - Indeed Brewing Company, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Beer - Old Friend Holiday Ale

Style - Winter warmer brewed with honey and fresh ginger

ABV - 7%

Color - Red with some copper and a light tan frothy head

Aroma - Toffee, ginger, biscuity malt, hint of nuttiness

Flavor - Very similar to the aroma, biscuity nutty malt, caramel, very faintest hint of chocolate, ginger, touch of berry fruitiness, herbal hops, nice balancing bitterness

Verdict - Quite the enjoyable winter warmer. The malt and hop profile reminds me a bit of an ESB, while the ginger adds a nice complementary spice. Moderate carbonation does a great job of amplifying the ginger, and the pleasant medium-body mouthfeel is capped off nicely by some alcohol warmth after swallowing. I'd definitely be happy to call this brew an "Old Friend".

P.S. - So far, this is the seventh beer I've had from Indeed. I must say, I haven't been disappointed by a single one. If you have an opportunity to try any of the brews from their line-up, I highly recommend you do so! I know they are ranking pretty high on my "favorite Minnesota breweries list" these days...