Breckenridge - Christmas Ale

"Plenty of good cheer - Good friends ever near."

We're nearing the end of our Christmas ale journey! Next up is Breckenridge Christmas Ale purchased at Havana House.

"The chill of a Colorado high-country winter calls for a beer with extra flavor and strength. Here it is. Our holiday seasonal is the fermented equivalent of a good fire." This has 22 IBUs and is 7.4% ABV.

Overall average rating: 6.5/10

This is a slightly cloudy red amber beer that smells of burnt sugar. The taste is thinner than most Christmas ales, with a side tongue bite and a back of the tongue finish.

Shawn- This has good drinkability, but it doesn't hit true Christmas notes. Sweet ≠ Christmas, 6.5/10.
Angela- This is thin but drinkable. It doesn't remind me of a Christmas ale, but it is decent, 6.5/10.
Chris- I could drink this year round, but it's not much of a Christmas ale. My lower rating is based on style representation, 6.5/10.

Breckenridge Vanilla Porter

Our next porter is Breckenridge Vanilla Porter purchased at the Havana House.

This ale is brewed with real vanilla beans from Papua New Guinea and Madagascar. It is "remarkable and partakable" and the website provides a recipe for a Vanilla Porter Milkshake. It has 16 IBUs and is 4.7% ABV.

Overall average rating: 7.7/10

It pours a rich, dark amber/red color abd is slightly opaque. The head is a slight off white and carbonated and there is lacing on the glass. The aroma is a sweet vanilla, dark malt, molasses, and collfee, as well as a crème brûlée scent. The very first taste to come from this is vanilla, but it's cool and refreshing, not overpowering. You then taste coffee with a sugary finish; there is almost no hop flavor. It has a front tongue bite with a slight lingering on the sides.

Shawn- This is an excellent dessert beer because of the sweetness and the fact that it doesn't coat your palate. I do question it's consistent drinkability, however, 7.5/10.
Angela- This is a drinkable beer with a rich vanilla flavor. This is another good porter, and it's nice to taste a different flavor (in this case vanilla) rather than the usual chocolate or coffee (although I love those too!), 8/10.
Chris- It is thin but still rich with a lot of flavor, 7.5/10.

Our friend Eric has shared his opinion on this beer: "This is a really good dessert beer - the last one of the night.  It is an ideally balanced porter with definite vanilla flavor.  This is not a hint of vanilla or something only an experienced palate can discern; there is plenty of vanilla.  On tap, it is smoother but slightly watery compared to the bottle version.  Rating: 9.0."

Breckenridge - After Rakin' Autumn Ale

Day 4 of Harvest week is Breckenridge After Rakin' Autumn Ale, purchased at Vintage Estate Wine & Beer.

Remember when I said that Southern Tier's Harvest Ale could be a good "raking leaves beer"? Little did I know there already was an "after rakin'" ale! The label is brown and tan with leaves - very autumn appropriate. It is made with Bavarian hops and Munich malts, and "warms the soul, soothes the spirit." It is an Old Ale and 6.7% ABV.

Overall average rating: 7.5/10

As this beer was being poured, I commented how "dark and delicious" it looked. It has a caramel and dark red color, and it is borderline opaque. It also has an off-white head that diminishes quickly. It has a unique, sweet woody aroma. The thick sweet smell reminded us of caramel and molasses. The taste is definitely thicker than the previous beers, although the guys find that it smells thicker than it tastes. It is refreshing with a distinct maltiness, like an English bock, with a sour malt finish.

Shawn- This would be a very good beer to drink after working outside in the fall. I will definitely drink this again. I find that the more I drink of it, the more I want to drink it, 7/10.
Angela- I LOVE this beer. I will absolutely drink this again, and I can see it as an after rakin' beer.. or perhaps a relaxing in front of the fire beer :), 9/10.
Chris- This beer is very appropriate for the time of year. It is well-named and would be a good beer to enjoy cold on a cool day, 6.5/10.