Day 17 of the 3rd Annual Advent-ure Calendar
Day 17: SweetWater Brewing Company Festive Ale
We are usually fans of SweetWater beers but generally only drink them at beer fest and events (for no particular reason they just usually aren’t on our radar when buying beer). From website: “Just in time for the holidays is this strong cheerfully spiced seasonal ale with big complex flavors to keep you warm and toasted all season long. Brewed only one day per year, this high octane 8.1% ABV brew has a sleighload of Centennial and Golding hops and is capped with a dose of cinnamon and nutmeg.”
REFLECTIONS
Beard & Broad
Beard: Unfortunately Beard has what we think is the stomach flu and has been sick all day. So Broad will not let him touch this beer or any alcohol until he gets better.
Broad: I have to agree with Adam and Alex about this beer, it’s the exact midline of the holiday beers. It’s good but not my favorite. I could drink more than one but I probably wouldn’t. I like that it’s not too sweet or malty and that it has a nice holiday roast flavor but it’s missing something and I can’t put my finger on it. I would give this another shot next year.
Adam & Alex
Adam: This is the exact midline of all beers I think. I do not hate it at all but I am having trouble finding anything memorable about it. It’s a festive ale that doesn’t taste like spices. It smells malty and I don’t dislike it but I don’t love it either. I sincerely don’t have a love or hate opinion on this. If you handed it to me I’d drink it but I don’t think I would remember it.
Alex: This beer is hard to describe. There is nothing in particular that stands out to me. It’s not bad, and I would drink it again, but it’s not something I would actively seek out. Maybe it’s the this is our 17th beer we tried that’s supposed to be a holiday beer? Either way middle of the pack for me!
Scott & Christa
Scott: The Sweetwater festive ale is a dark, chocolatey-tasting ale with a good balance of spices. This is a true winter beer to my tastes. Perfect for drinking during chilly Ohio winters but it’d be hard for me to drink once the weather warms up. I really wish I had this on tap because it’d be perfect to drink out of a large stein, sitting by the fire with a group of friends.
Christa: I agree with Berry on this one, I imagine this would be way better on draft. I go back and forth on chocolately beers, I love some, hate others. This one is a malty, chocolate flavor and pleasant but perhaps a bit syrupy. I would definitely give it another chance in another bottle or again, on draft.
Tony & Megan
Tony: Deep, dark color when you pour this one. When you begin to sip it you get a nice balance of malts, spices, and even a little cinnamon. Nice, balanced flavor and a touch of sweetness. I like darker beers so this is right up my alley. Its got a good holiday flavor profile and I’m feelin this one.
Megan: Dark in color, the sweet water festive ale is on the heavier side. It promises nutmeg and cinnamon, and a complex combination of malts, and definitely delivers but it’s not overly spiced either. I don’t know if I could drink these all night but I like this one. And shout out to the Christmas story quote on the back of the can.