12 Beers of Christmas: St. Bernardus Abt. 12

Posted at 1:12 pm by Patrick under 12 Beers of Christmas

You like your beers strong and spicy? You might consider giving this one a taste.

I first discovered this beer on one of my trips to western Belgium, back in 1998. Tasting it in a small pub in Bruges, I remember it being a torrent of maltiness and dark fruit. Complex. Spicy. Juicy. Yummy.

Fast-forward to 2004, when I can pick up a 750ml bottle from my local bottle shop for around $10. Popping one open with a friend last night after running some elfin errands, we discussed our impressions.

We poured them into red wine glasses, and a tan mousse-like head sat atop this 10% abv butt kicker of a brew. It dissipated quickly, giving way to an aggressive aroma. I noticed the alcohol before the rest of the clove and cinnamon spiciness, but was not scared off by this warning flare. The body was drier than I remembered, but still had a distinctive dark fruit character. Plums? Yes. Raisins? Definitely. Figs? Perhaps.

This one will stand up to the average holiday buffet of noshables and makes a dandy sipping beer as well. With its screen-printed and corked presentation, the 750ml bottle also makes a nice gift option.

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12 Beers of Christmas: Ommegang Hennepin

Posted at 12:14 pm by Patrick under 12 Beers of Christmas

Until now I’ve been presenting beers on their own merits. Today’s selection is a suggestion for pairing with an upcoming holday meal.

Hennepin Ale is brewed by Brewery Ommegang in upstate New York. It is a farmhouse style ale in the saison tradition. Saisons are brewed primarily in the rural regions of southern Belgium and northern France and are known for their spicy, earthy chracteristics. It is exactly these characteristics that make it able partner for almost any meal.

When poured, Hennepin is a deep gold colored ale with a pillowy white head. The aroma is quite spicy — white pepper, coriander and ginger come to mind — and inviting. The first sip is an explosion of spicy hoppiness, malty body and spritzy carbonation. The 7.5% abv is not readily apparent, but provides the backbone necessary to work its food-pairing magic. As you work through the rest of the glass, it continues to ride the delicate balance of complementing the meal and refreshing the palette.

It is indeed a versatile brew: strong enough for a rich meal, yet refreshing enough to sip on your deck during summer. It’s also one of my favorites for introducing my wine-drinking friends to the world of quality beers. And at $5.50 per 750ml bottle, it is also a great value.

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