Day 3 of the 7th Annual Holiday Beer Advent-ure Calendar
Day 3: BrewDog Hoppy Christmas
Getting back on the hoppy train with this beer. BrewDog states that the flavors in this are “tangy citrus, papaya, pineapple with a malty finish”. It doesn’t sound like your typical Christmas Ale but we’re always excited to try something new and fresh. Brewdog originated in Scotland but they now have a few locations around the world, including one that just opened in Cleveland, so we’re excited to try more of their offerings!
Ben: This is pretty solid. It’s hoppy up front but not lastingly bitter. I almost think it needs more backbone to be a winter beer. There’s a few hoppy holiday beers out there that are all pretty great. It’s tough to break through that crowd but I think this might have a spot up there. Overall, quite refreshing!
Julia: Oh boy, I did not except to LOVE this beer. It’s tangy, crisp, slightly hoppy and light. The thing about it is, that it doesn’t taste like a winter or Christmas Ale. The fruity taste reminds me of a beer I’d want to drink during the spring or summer. I love thats its not super piney or hoppy. I would still drink it now though. I welcome a crisp beer in between the heavy Christmas ales. I would absolutely buy this again and intend to get more this weekend
Adam: Douglas Fur* | bitter mandarin | fresh grass | disappointing lack of dog pun in the name
Alex: Brewdog’s Hoppy Christmas is very drinkable, but it does not come off as a holiday beer to me. I wouldn’t describe it as super hoppy, but lightly hoppy and citrusy with a slightly bitter taste at the end. I would definitely drink it again.
Scott: Not what I expected. The Hoppy Christmas from Brewdog is light, crisp and very easy to drink with a slight malty flavor. I’m happy to put down many of these beers, but It would be hard for me to identify the flavors that make this a Christmas beer. Looking forward to the new Cleveland location to try this on tap!
Christa: Brewdog’s Hoppy Christmas delivers what it promises: hops! I really enjoy it because I love an IPA and BrewDog’s Elvis Juice is one of my favorites. They do IPAs well, this is no exception, but I don’t know what makes this one a Christmas IPA. There’s no hint of cinnamon, no nudge of nutmeg, not a single Santa in this sleigh. Am I going to finish this? Absolutely. But, if a Christmas beer is what you’re after, this one isn’t the one for you.
Tony: This one lives up to its name of “Hoppy Christmas.” Hops is all I’m getting in terms of flavor. Its not bad, I’ve come to like hoppier beers over time but I’m not really tasting anything else. Whereas with the Sierra Nevada Celebration IPA it was hoppy but also had flavors of caramel and malts that made it really tasty. Also this one is very light in color which to me is sometimes indicative of a lack of depth of flavor, which i think is the case here. Its hoppy, which is flavor but its missing more layers. If you’re looking for a holiday IPA i would go Sierra Nevada over this one.
Megan: Not much of a description on the can other than “Christmas IPA” but that’s exactly what it smells like. It’s got a bitter hoppy smell but at the same time feels light and looks light in color so I’m guessing it’s got a crisp piney finish but I’ll be interested in seeing what everyone else has to say about the taste. I feel like this would be a good IPA for the holiday season if that’s what you’re into but I don’t think this would be very drinkable for me.
Brad: Brewdog Hoppy Christmas is a good IPA. I get a strong citrus taste and the color is very appealing. It seems to lack any aromas or tastes that would make me think this is a holiday ale though. That said, I’d drink this beer on the golf course in the summer all day long. I’m excited to check out the new Brewdog that just opened in the Flats!
Heather: I absolutely love the can design for Brew Dog’s Hoppy Christmas, so that’s something. When we poured it, it looked like a typical lager, not a holiday IPA. But anyway. The beer. I tasted less bite and less intense hops than the Sierra Nevada Celebration, and therefore, it was more drinkable for this IPA-averse beer-lover. Still, it was kinda meh. I’d drink it at a party, but I don’t love it.