Twelve Saranac Beers of Xmas #12 - Season's Best
Written: Jan 03 '04 (Updated Nov 17 '04)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: A delicious nut brown lager, perfect for a Xmas Eve night.
Cons: Only available in limited doses
The Bottom Line: A very good nut brown lager - one of the best of the Saranac 12 Beers
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| martytdx's Full Review: Saranac Marzenbier |
"On the last day of Christmas, I opened a final beer, that with unique tastes, of lager and nuts and cheer. And as I poured that final glass, my true love smiled and said, 'If you ever write poems like that again, I'll whack you upside the head'."
• about SARANAC •
Saranac beers are brewed by the Matt Brewing Company, a brewery located in the foothills of the Adirondack Mountains in Central New York. Over a century old, the brewery is currently being run by the third and fourth generations of the Matt Family (Nick and Fred, respectively). Today, the company brews a number of different beers (27 different beers in the recent past, including seasonals and limited editions), as well as 5 different soft drinks.
• about SEASON'S BEST - NUT BROWN LAGER •
This beer - being the 'Season's Best', was my coup de grace for my tasting. I waited until Christmas Eve, and then poured myself a glass, waiting to savor the flavor. I knew it was a Nut Brown Lager - quite possibly identical to their normal Nut Brown - but I was still eager to try it.
I poured it into the glass, eagerly anticipating it with sugar plums ... well, nowhere in the picture, actually. The beer DID pour to a clear, copper color with a good head. I brought it closer, breathing in the heavy nutty aroma laced with the scent of roasted hops. I could almost taste it - and then I did.
I starts with a grainy flavor and then immediately the nutty tastes - hazelnut, perhaps - jump to the forefront. The body was good as the flavors swept around my mouth. MMM, Santa has been good to me this year... As I finished my first taste, I caught the slight taste of hops in the finish.
As I continued working through the beer, I got tastes of some spices to go with the nuttiness and malt flavors, as well an almost caramel sweetness. The alternating tastes worked very well, and I enjoyed every sip as it slipped toward midnight.
As I finished, I savored the last nutty sip and glanced over to the tree, the presents stacked neatly underneath in anticipation of tomorrow. I smiled - I had already finished one of my gifts ... although, I'm sure I could get another on December 26th.
• final THOUGHTS •
I liked it, but I'll be d@mned if I can find it in a six-pack alone. The nutty flavor and sweetness strike a perfect balance - in my opinion, a great holiday season beer.
• final SARANAC BEER TALLY •
GREAT (2) - Caramel Porter, Season's Best
GOOD (6) - Black Forest, Black & Tan, Golden Pilsener, IPA, Pale Ale, Traditional Lager
FAIR (3) - Adirondack Amber, Single Malt, Stout
EHHH.... (1) - Belgian White
• random BEER FACT •
IN oldentimes, Vikings would consume large quantities of aul, or ale, before heading into battle, often without armor or even shirts. In fact, "berserk" means "bare shirt" in Norse, and eventually took on the meaning of their wild battles.
For More Information
www.http://www.saranac.com/
• related SARANAC REVIEWS •
1st Day of Xmas - Saranac Pale Ale
2nd Day of Xmas - Saranac Stout
3rd Day of Xmas - Saranac Black Forest
4th Day of Xmas - Saranac Caramel Porter
5th Day of Xmas - Saranac Belgian White
6th Day of Xmas - Saranac Black and Tan
7th Day of Xmas - Saranac Adirondack Amber
8th Day of Xmas - Saranac Indian Pale Ale
9th Day of Xmas - Saranac Golden Pilsener
10th Day of Xmas - Saranac Traditional Lager
11th Day of Xmas - Saranac Single Malt
12th Day of Xmas - Saranac Season's Best
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
martytdx
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 - Top 100 |
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Member: Marty
Location: New Jersey
Reviews written: 478
Trusted by: 177 members
About Me:
Doing what I can to try new places, restaurants, books and beers.
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