:: Best of Show

:: Runner Up

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This was a new adventure for us and we didn't have the audio nailed down. We apologize for the poor quality, but we hope you enjoy the content.

Winter Brew Tasting 2005

The holidays are here and the celebration brews are on the shelves for you to enjoy. We got together with a group of friends, BJCP judges, and family members to taste the best that brewers have to offer this year. We tasted blind, wrote some comments and discussed what we were experiencing. Here are the results and some commentary.

Best Of Show - He'Brew Jewbelation 5766

I think it is safe to say this was a surprise for most of us, but this beer had it all. The malt character was rich, full and everything you'd look for in a beer. The color was on the dark side, deep amber. The head retention was there, holding up well minutes after the pour. The hopping on this beer provided a wonderful balance while not being bitter. This beer should be appreciated by anyone looking for a nice winter warmer this season. Heck, if you're planning on celebrating Hanukkah this year you can probably have eight! You can pick it up at BevMo.com or various distributors around the US. Props to the brewers on this fine offering.

Visit their website: http://www.shmaltz.com/

Honorable Mention

Anderson Valley Winter Solstice - Runner-up - A wonderful offering from brewers who know how to brew. Fruity, spicy, wonderful. A great beer for those looking for something different this season. Light, refreshing with a clean finish. Golden color. Congratulations to the folks at Anderson Valley.

Anchor 2005 Christmas Ale - The folks at Anchor have figured a few things out in life (and brewing), but our personal favorite is a seasonal offering that is different every year. This year's brew is made with spruce and appears to be a Porter base - that was the general consensus anyway. What a great beer, all around. If you haven't yet tried this you owe yourself the treat.

Russian River Damnation - We're not sure this is seasonal, but this beer was a treat.

Moylan's White Christmas Double Wheat - A surprise for those looking for a darker seasonal beer, but a very good surprise. We generally believed that there is Orange Peel in this brew, which kind of made it like a Belgium Wit. If you're looking for a unique beer that won't overpower we agree this beer is worth the effort.

Lineup

TJs Doppelbock
Big Sky Winterhound
Pyramid Snow Cap
Third Street Octoberfest
Anderson Valley Winter Solstice
Fish Tale WinterFish
Deschuttes Jubalale
Rogue Santa's Private Stash
Moylan's White Christmas Double Wheat
He'Brew Jewbelation 5766
Widmer Milk Stout
Alaskan Winter Ale
Aventenus Eisbock
Rick's Homebrewed Doppelbock
Lost Coast Winterbraun
Affligan Noel
Trader Joe's Edition 2005
Sierra Celebration
Russian River Damnation
Sudwerk Doppelbock
Lagunitas Brown Shugga
Anchor Christmas Ale
Alaskan Smoked Porter
Stone Smoked Porter
Samichlaus Ale (once strongest ale in the world)
EKU 28
Full Sail Wassail
Sam Smith's Winter Welcome
Pizza Port Hop 15
Stone IPA
Hop Rod Rye

Judging Panel

Rick - BJCP judge and host
Mark - BJCP judge and host
Big Mike - Beer Traveler, Contributor to PBN Radio
Jeff - BJCP Judge, award winning homebrewer
Jose - South American consultant, experienced cellar master
Jeff II - Host of Wild Country Radio, beer expert
Pierre - European consultant, beer expert

... and several others who's contributions were appreciated and enjoyed. Thank you to everyone!