Monday, December 21, 2009
The 12 Beers of Christmas: Day 5Great Divide Hibernation Ale
Note: I'm a fan of holiday ales, and I want to use this forum this year to lay out 12 beers that just seem essential for holiday party drinking. Plus, I want to actually see if I can sit down and write for 12 days in a row, a feat I've never pulled off on this blog.
At age 14, Great Divide's Hibernation Ale is reaching its adolescence, but it has a maturity way beyond its years.
A dry-hopped English-style old ale, this dark and dense sipper presents an intriguing combination of flavors. Part of it is is a woody caramel that speaks to its 8.7% ABV strength. And part is the late-building taste of its aging, an almost intangible largeness of body that just makes this rest a little longer on your palate and taste a little heavier going down.
A strong, echoing taste of toffee leaves a signature personality of this beer behind. There are feelings of dark cold nights quenched by a malt-and-hop fire that just resonant with this holiday masterpiece, which is tasting better than ever.
Labels: Great Divide, Holiday beers
