Hey Rocky, Watch Me Pull a Seasonal Out of My Hat

Okay... for the next few weeks I will be buying the beer ahead of time, instead of depending on the fine grocers of the greater Los Angeles metropolitan area to have exquisite taste in beer.. But this weeks reviews will include Snow Cap from Pyramid, and Winter Lager from Sam Adams.

First is Snow Cap ( http://www.pyramidbrew.com/beer/beerguide/snow_cap.php ):

Per Pyramid Brewery this 'full-bodied winter warmer' is '...mahogany in color, complex and spicy, yet delicious' that is weighing in at 7% alc/vol.

Beautiful deep ruby color complimented by the clarity, and topped with Belgian lace. Deep caramel and molasses aroma with low hop aroma. The chocolate and coffee tones blend nice with the maltodextrin to help create a big body feel in the mouth. The bittering hops are buried in the beginning of this, but seem to surface after finishing bits. These become more persistent as the beer gets warmer and encompass it from beginning to end.

I felt this beer got better the closer it came to cellar temperature, carrying itself like a dopplebock in the beginning. But it was still a fine beer coming out of the fridge. This is a mid to late afternoon beer before you move to barley wines or visiting in laws. Don't slug this beer down! Enjoy it in a barley wine glass and give it a little minute to warm up, because it will definitely get your attention! Not for light beer drinkers.

And next on the list we have the The Winter Lager brought to us this season by Sam Adam's (http://www.samueladams.com/world_of_beer.aspx):

The Winter Lager touts itself as a '...dark wheat lager brewed with winter spices.' and brings a 5.8%alc/vol to the table. One thing I do appreciate about the Adam's Brewing Company (which I can balance with my gripes after visiting their Boston locale) is they have a date marked on the side to let you know when the beer is no longer good. So if you love and care for this beer it should last you until April. And my first impressions say stock up on this.

With the lofty lace balancing on top the amber glow of this nicely filter beer, it would look beautiful anywhere. Though there is a touch of diacytle in the nose, it carries fine with this buttery caramel beer. The hops create a subtle backdrop to the swirl of 40L that finishes so clean you can't wait to have another drink.

This fine beer would be nice while attempting to put together toys on Christmas morning, an evening spent wrapping presents you didn't buy, or brunch with people you want to spend the holidays with. I was a fan of this one and it warmed up nicely as the evening progressed. This should be served in a tulip glass so you can draw in the aromas of this lighter bodied beer.