The Twelve (New) Beers of Christmas, Day 10-Smistletoe, Smuttynose Brewing (NH)

Written By: Dion on 12/23/2014

Possessing probably the only bottle of this beer in the state of KY, I couldn't very well sit at home and drink it myself. So I shared it with some friends at Country Boy Brewing. Hands down the best looking bottle I've had all year. Incredible screen printed ceramic with a corked and caged top. Served initially a little colder than optimal, the nose is fairly subdued, with mostly a tart berry note coming out. On the tongue is an overall nice sour tone, with the berries and plums melding to produce (as noted by Chris Vandergrift) an almost cranberry note. Didn't get quite the oak influence I was expecting, but that may have changed had it been allowed to come up to temp a little more gradually. Super easy drinking with virtually unnoticeable alcohol. An interesting take on the Biere de Garde style, and one I'm really happy that I got to try. Cannot thank my friends Julie and Troy Williams enough for bringing this one back directly from the brewery. One of my favorite seasonal beers I've tried this year.