Christmas Ale
American Brown Ale
Goose Island Brewery
Chicago, IL

A

22 oz bottle poured into large pilsner glass. Beautiful golden brown and reddish color with a thick creamy head that stays around until the last drop and sticks to the glass in large bands. The aroma is so complex that it took many smells to decide on what was there. Hints of dark fruit like cherries and plums supported by a grassy and earthy backbone that reminds me of northeastern forests. Medium mouthfeel with high carbonation when fresh from the bottle. Just thick enough to support the heavy flavors that follow. An appetizer of crisp hoppy freshness followed by the main course of deep malty and roasty character. For dessert, a medley of hoppy bitterness swirled with fruity prunes leaving a delicious dryness that beckons for another sip.

I would have liked to see a little less carbonation right at the beginning, but after the beer was sitting for a few minutes it was just about perfect. Mmmmmmm