Three New Brew Reviews

Beer Luvvas,

I'm so behind, it's not even funny. But I'm going to take a couple moments to let you know about a few 'New Brews' I've tasted recently. First up, a couple different quaffs from Goose Island:

Goose Island Christmas Ale 2009 - The Goose changes the recipe for their Christmas Ale every year, and starting in 2009 they are donating a portion of the profits from each bottle to the Chicago Christmas Ship which brings Christmas trees from Michigan to Chicago each year for disadvantaged Chicago families. The flavor of this year's Christmas Ale is sweet, rather than what I would consider a traditional holiday ale (5.7% ABV is almost half of what I've found most holiday ales to bring to the table) with little spice to accompany that sweetness. According to Goose's site, the Christmas Ale will develop in the bottle for up to five years. An interesting vertical I would think, since they change the recipe annually.

Goose Island Bourbon County Brand Stout - If your answer to the question, "How much Bourbon note in your stout is too much?" There can't be too much Bourbon in my stout! Then is beer is for you! I was blown away by the bourbon in this beer. My belches were too bourbon-y for my taste. It was a struggle to finish the 22oz bomber (Freebird avoids Bourbon stouts entirely). At 13% ABV, I think it had a very negative impact on my poker game later that evening. Buuuoooooooaaaaaah!

Stone Thirteenth Anniversary Ale - I picked this Bomber up thinking that it would be a nice ale to share with Freebird some evening. Little did I know that I was picking up Eden in a bottle - if Eden's bliss is earthy, spicy Double Red goodness! Although Freebird was taken aback by the Chinook, Simcoe and Centennial hop blend; the fact that it was double dry hopped made this beer absolutely sublime in my opinion.

Prost to Stone for once again creating an absolutely amazing brew! Prost to Goose Island for their over-the-top Bourbon County and new holiday giving program!