Judge’s Review: 92 Rating – Christmas Cactus by Wren House Brewing Co.

Winter Seasonal Beer | Special Release | United States

By Nelson Crowle

Judges Rating: 92
Aroma: 21
Appearance: 6
Flavor: 38
Mouthfeel: 9
Overall Impression: 18

Evaluated as a BJCP 2015 style 30C – Winter Seasonal Beer. Pours a very deep mahogany brown with a small head of tiny deep tan bubbles that quickly fades to a cordon ring in the glass. The aroma starts with sweet chocolate, a light coffee note, some toffee, and then just a hint of sarsaparilla and slightly earthy and floral hops. The first taste is toffee with hints of soy sauce and umami. As the beer warms, more toffee, caramel, and a hint of roasty malt becomes more prominent. Low floral hops can be found both in the aroma and flavor – this beer is all about the malt character. There’s some black raisins, hints of sultanas, moderate creme brulee caramelized turbinado sugar and overripe plums. The finish is medium-sweet but not cloying. There are hints of hazelnut that add interesting complexity – almost an Amaretto note. There is a medium carbonation and medium high body for this example. Lots of interesting complexity as the beer warms – this is a beer to order, then let it sit while you drink another beer to let this one warm up a bit. It’s definitely a dessert beer – snifter after dinner, skip the brandy – drink this. Make sure you have a good rich dinner with some Cornish pasties, maybe some Scotch eggs, and then retire to the parlor with a snifter.