Christmas Night

Well..  for Christmas breakfast i cracked open a Breakfast Stout because I got called to check on an alarm at work at 9:15 in the morning.  So yeah.. I deserved that one!  Then the fam cracked a bottle of 2004 Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon for dinner..  WOW  Tons of body and fruit, nice warming spice.  A great surprise from the folks.

Came home after a quiet holiday..  put on some B-grade Santa slasher flicks and cracked open some beers. Went through a few standards just to have some  (I couldn't truly enjoy beer if I had to constantly blog..  so I get 6'ers.. multiples..  or just ones I've had before so I can just kick back with a beer).  Then cracked into the stash again.. it keeps growing, by the way.. and pulled out something totally unrelated to Christmas

Pike's - Monk's Uncle Tripel  9.0% ABV and 38 IBUs.  Cloudy golden yellow with a nice fluffy head.. not much lacing remained.  Instant notes of yeast, banana and a great apple note.  Like fresh pressed cider.  Touches of spice and grassy hops come through as the beer warms.  A slight Brett funk that carries into the taste is the first thing to hit.  Creamier than most Tripels that I've had.. candi sugar, yeast, honey and bananas.  Not much clove that you'd typically find, and far more wheat and light malts than usual.  Heavy on the spice and bubblegum.  Melon and apple flavors coming through and the boozy bite gains strength as it warms.  Overly sweet finish that's a bit too heavy on the esters.  It's worth a try, but there are far better Tripels out there for cheaper.

- - 5 Hops