Thanksgiving is over so everything is going into Christmas/holiday mode. Same is true for beer. I saw this Christmas beer, Rogue Ales Santa’s Private Reserve 2017, 7.8% ABV on the shelve at my local Harris Teeter grocery store and thought I’ll give a try. Santa’s Private Reserve is a Dark Belgian Ale with Cherries and Raspberries brewed with Premium 2 Row, Munich, Weyermann Carabelge, Weyermann Caramunich III, Weyermann Special W & Midnight Wheat Malts; Willamette Hops; Belgian Candi Sugar, Red Raspberries, Cherries, Imperial Gnome Yeast, and Free Range Coastal Water. Santa’s Private Reserve pours a deep brown color with caramel edges with a two finger beige head that fades into a little tight halo giving off aromas of sweet dark fruits (cherries and raspberries) and a sweet flavor of nice ripe cherries and fresh raspberries with a little bit of a strong alcoholic note that finishes nice and sweet with touch of a bittersweet strong note with dark fruity aftertaste and a fuller mouthfeel that is somewhat chewy. Rogue Ales Santa’s Private Reserve 2017 is an interesting take on a dark Belgian Ale, a beer that is an A- with good drinkability and a nice sweetness that does not overpower your taste buds nor is too strong. This isn’t as full flavor as say a Chimay Blue, but it’s close to it and that is why I recommend Santa’s Private Reserve and will be having this again. Happy Holidays! Cheers! Please enjoy responsibly!
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