December 24, 2017

400/2218) Home:  Holiday Cheers Winter Spice Ale by Big Rock Brewing of Alberta:  **;  6%;  brewed with cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger;  formerly known as McNally's Winter Spice Ale but I didn't have the opportunity to try it under this name;  soft fluffy head disappears fairly quickly;  sweet, malty spiced nose;  similar flavours;  mildly spiced after taste;

401/2219) Home: Jõuluöö by Põhjala Brewing SA of Estonia:  **;  8%;  chocolate-vanilla oak aged Imperial porter;  brewed using cocoa nibs, fresh vanilla, French oak;  very oaky nose with notes of alcohol and bitter cocoa nibs;  the vanilla is subtle but it makes its presence known towards the finish, until then it’s all oak and cocoa nibs; 

There is much more than simply the abv figures behind the warm feelings attributable to this year's Craft Beer Advent calendar.  Oh, yes, if it happens next year I want to be on board.