This new subsection of my page has given me the excuse to not only take notes while I'm drinking, but to try out new beers that I normally might not purchase on the basis that I'm doing research. One of the beers that falls into this category is Santa's Private Reserve Ale from the Rouge Ales brewery.
The bottle features a less than jolly old elf who is hoisting a stein with one hand while defiantly holding a mitten clad fist aloft. Perhaps Santa is standing up to The Man in a show of solidarity with the other beer drinkers of the world. Or perhaps the grim faced visage looks like it could be some sort of old Soviet propaganda poster; the little known Commie Claus. Either way it's not the happy go lucky Santa I'm used to but this might be the side of Kris Kringle that comes out after he ties a few on. Nothing on the package screamed Christmas cheer. Even the phrase "Snowflakes Glisten" stenciled across the front of the bottle seemed more like a threat than an effort to instill a sense of holiday spirit.
Besides it's scary packaging the ale comes in a brown 650 ml. bottle. Santa's a thirsty guy. The beer is the reddest red I've ever seen in a brew. There are other beers -such as Leinenkugel's Red- that claim to be red but Santa's Private Reserve was nearly crimson. It had plenty of fizz and a good sized head that was surprisingly thick. Santa's Private Reserve had a hearty hops taste to it. Downright hoppy, almost chewable. Perhaps the emphasis on the hops was meant to invoke the sensation of being in a snow covered log cabin with a yule log roasting in the fireplace. Instead it put me more in mind of the water pooled around the bottom of a Christmas tree. Small wonder Santa looks so grim if he's slugging a glass of this brew. At first I thought Santa's Private Reserve was a bit too bitter for a holiday drink. When you think of holiday confections you think of something sweet, airy, and probably loaded with more calories than you want. But as I thought about while finishing off my serving nothing really brings out the bitterness in people like the holidays. It seems Santa knows the score and has produced the perfect drink for all those would-be Grinches out there.
Questions and seasonal greetings can be sent to gleep9@hotmail.com. Ride your sleigh back to either the Beer or Main page.