Thanks for organising, @Alastair70. Seemed to be a roaring success. My first one but definitely will be joining in again this year.
Secret Santa Reviews 2023
- Thread starter Alastair70
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@Justin Dean and @nidge
The festive stout was mine, thank-you for the kind comments, especially the high praise from Nidge!
It was brewed in March so has had plenty of time to mellow: 87% Pale malt, 5% Chocolate malt, 5% Special B, 3% Caramunich I. 61 IBU Magnum at 60 min, Styrian Goldings - 7.5IBU at 10min and 2 IBU at 2min. Mashed at 67C and fermented at 22C with US-05.
The dark grains were added for the last 15 minutes of the mash only which made for a mellow easy drinker despite the big charge of chocolate and Special B.
The festive stout was mine, thank-you for the kind comments, especially the high praise from Nidge!
It was brewed in March so has had plenty of time to mellow: 87% Pale malt, 5% Chocolate malt, 5% Special B, 3% Caramunich I. 61 IBU Magnum at 60 min, Styrian Goldings - 7.5IBU at 10min and 2 IBU at 2min. Mashed at 67C and fermented at 22C with US-05.
The dark grains were added for the last 15 minutes of the mash only which made for a mellow easy drinker despite the big charge of chocolate and Special B.
Yeah you're right! Wasn't sure if I sent you the Tribute clone the SAISON or both last time. It's all I has ready as I usually try to have those both on.
Looks like cookiemonster didn't get one off me...unless he's just not reviewed yet. Let me know if you want one and I'll get something sorted...just pm me your address incase anything has changed since the Secret Santa was set up.
I can, only apologise for my tardiness. Busy week.
Cascade Summer Ale.
This came needing carbonisation, so I've left it a couple of weeks in the warm.
Opened with a small hiss.
Hard poured and had a reasonable head which dissipated. May well have benefited from a bit longer in the warm.
Aroma was a little hoppy.
I'm not the best at describing hoppy ales as they all taste the same to me.
Tasted like a hoppy ale. Not my thing, but certainly no off flavours as far as I can ascertain.
Nothing wrong with this, other than a lack of carbonisation which could have been my prep and handling.
Thanks to Santa for sharing.
Cascade Summer Ale.
This came needing carbonisation, so I've left it a couple of weeks in the warm.
Opened with a small hiss.
Hard poured and had a reasonable head which dissipated. May well have benefited from a bit longer in the warm.
Aroma was a little hoppy.
I'm not the best at describing hoppy ales as they all taste the same to me.
Tasted like a hoppy ale. Not my thing, but certainly no off flavours as far as I can ascertain.
Nothing wrong with this, other than a lack of carbonisation which could have been my prep and handling.
Thanks to Santa for sharing.
Agentgonzo
Landlord.
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Ditto. bravo
If you have a Tribute recipe I would be interested in trying that out as the one I did lost its Character and was too strong
Thank you @Alastair70 for organising it yet again 
Have a look on the Malt Miller website. They do a kit for an A.G Tribute clone. They put it together after visiting the brewery.If you have a Tribute recipe I would be interested in trying that out as the one I did lost its Character and was too strong
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Thanks to @Alastair70 from me too. Thoroughly enjoyed the beers I received and over the moon with the reviews of my own beer.
Well done, much appreciated
Well done, much appreciated
Kentish Mike
Active Member
Finally got to this 4.2% California Common today.
Opened with a strong hiss and poured with a strong light head which lasted till the end. A nice amber colour and clearer than appears in the picture.
It had a fresh, grassy? slightly fruity aroma with some bready/pale toast that carried through to the flavour.
Medium body, not too dry or too sweet with a nice strong hop bitterness that wasn't overbalnced.
I've never had a California common before but really enjoyed it. I thought it was a really interesting beer! Thanks again Secret Santa, and Merry Christmas!
And of course, thanks @Alastair70 for setting this up again this year!
Opened with a strong hiss and poured with a strong light head which lasted till the end. A nice amber colour and clearer than appears in the picture.
It had a fresh, grassy? slightly fruity aroma with some bready/pale toast that carried through to the flavour.
Medium body, not too dry or too sweet with a nice strong hop bitterness that wasn't overbalnced.
I've never had a California common before but really enjoyed it. I thought it was a really interesting beer! Thanks again Secret Santa, and Merry Christmas!
And of course, thanks @Alastair70 for setting this up again this year!
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A little inspiration for next year courtesy of Bing Create, although it's a fine line between too Halloween and too "IRA at Christmas"...
Thanks to everyone for joining in the spirit of the event, and of course once more to our diplomatic and efficient host @Alastair70 - here’s to another successful year‘s brewing and consuming in 2024 
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Not seen one of the reviews on mine yet
Just echoing everyone's appreciation of the organisation from @Alastair70.
Firstly a big apology to all, particularly my Santas, for the delay in drinking/reviewing. I’m leaving my feedback below having not yet looked at who sent to me.
My first secret Santa was a 5% Bock. I’ve not had this style before as I’m not really a lover of really dark beers (that said the only really dark beer I’ve had is a stout) but this was actually very nice. Slight hiss when opening and poured with a small head that disappeared quite quickly but that may have had something to do with the use of a plastic glass
. In laymen’s terms it seemed very stout like but it didn’t have that strong bitter coffee taste I’d associate with one. I wouldn’t say it has converted me to be a lover of dark beers but it was very enjoyable has certainly made me realise it’s worth being a bit more adventurous with them.
Which is convenient actually because my second secret Santa was a 7.2% Dopplebock
.
For this I used a proper glass and after the inviting hiss of opening it poured with a nice head which lasted until the end of the glass. Talking of which, that came a bit too quickly really considering the abv
. I was very surprised at how smooth this was and how easy drinking all things considered.
Thanks to both Santas for sending . I really enjoyed both of them.
Ps, I still have an Imperial Stout which was sent as a Brucie Bonus with the Bock but I’ll need to save for a non school night.
My first secret Santa was a 5% Bock. I’ve not had this style before as I’m not really a lover of really dark beers (that said the only really dark beer I’ve had is a stout) but this was actually very nice. Slight hiss when opening and poured with a small head that disappeared quite quickly but that may have had something to do with the use of a plastic glass
. In laymen’s terms it seemed very stout like but it didn’t have that strong bitter coffee taste I’d associate with one. I wouldn’t say it has converted me to be a lover of dark beers but it was very enjoyable has certainly made me realise it’s worth being a bit more adventurous with them.Which is convenient actually because my second secret Santa was a 7.2% Dopplebock
.
For this I used a proper glass and after the inviting hiss of opening it poured with a nice head which lasted until the end of the glass. Talking of which, that came a bit too quickly really considering the abv
. I was very surprised at how smooth this was and how easy drinking all things considered.Thanks to both Santas for sending . I really enjoyed both of them.
Ps, I still have an Imperial Stout which was sent as a Brucie Bonus with the Bock but I’ll need to save for a non school night.
First of my beers - Belgian pale 4.8%
Very lucky to get this one as Belgian Pale is one of my favourite styles to brew .
Looked good after pouring into the glass, light amber, crystal clear and a nice head . Light toasty malty aroma with mild yeast character. Mouthfeel was crisp and easy drinking . Malty character was light toast with a very light Belgian yeast character fruity/pear but subtle. Very mild smokey note. Lovely beer and I think with a little more malt character from some Munich maybe and some extra spice and floral hop character and would be perfect. I'm surprised Barbie was up for it
View attachment 94006
This one was from me. Really appreciate your feedback
Firstly a big apology to all, particularly my Santas, for the delay in drinking/reviewing. I’m leaving my feedback below having not yet looked at who sent to me.
View attachment 94534
My first secret Santa was a 5% Bock. I’ve not had this style before as I’m not really a lover of really dark beers (that said the only really dark beer I’ve had is a stout) but this was actually very nice. Slight hiss when opening and poured with a small head that disappeared quite quickly but that may have had something to do with the use of a plastic glass
Which is convenient actually because my second secret Santa was a 7.2% Dopplebock
View attachment 94533
For this I used a proper glass and after the inviting hiss of opening it poured with a nice head which lasted until the end of the glass. Talking of which, that came a bit too quickly really considering the abv
Thanks to both Santas for sending . I really enjoyed both of them.
Ps, I still have an Imperial Stout which was sent as a Brucie Bonus with the Bock but I’ll need to save for a non school night.
Being introduced to beers I wouldn't normally choose (either by receiving them or reading people's comments) has been one of the highlights for me. Bocks, for instance, I don't think I've ever drank or looked at a recipe which is something I need to address.
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