Monday, December 7, 2015

2015 Craft Beer Cellar Advent Box

This is the third year I got a beer advent box from Craft Beer Cellar in Belmont. The first year I kept it all to myself. That was just too much beer for me. The second year I split it three ways with my two daughters. That was too little for me and too much for them. Hopefully, I've dialed it in better this year with me taking the even days and my daughters splitting the odd days.

Here are the contents so far:

Day 1: Sierra Nevada - 2015 Celebration Fresh Hop IPA

Day 2: Weihenstephaner - Vitus Weizenbock
This was my first. It was rich and sweet with caramel and baking spice flavors. It was a bit hazy with a nice foamy head.

Day 3: Bantam - Wunderkind Modern American Cider





Day 4: Dog Fish Head - Old School Barleywine Style Ale Brewed with Figs & Dates

This was thick with burnt caramel, pine, fig and date flavors.

Day 5: Smuttynose - Baltic Porter




Day 6: Shmaltz Brewing Company - Hanukkah, Chanukah, Pass the Beer Dark Beer

Nice pick CBC for this, the first day of Hanukkah. This beer is very, very good, and the label is a riot. It had many of the characteristics of a good Belgian double. But it also had a bitterness profile like a west coast ale, with the slightly burnt flavor that reminded me of a chocolate malt.

Day 7: Chimay - Dorée Ale Brewed with Spice

This is a good place to publish this first report. More as I drink them. Thanks Craft Beer Cellar!