Archive for the 'Full Sail' category
Full Sail “Wreck the Halls” Ale
‘Tis the season for tasty winter ales! I was happy to try this, the first offering from Full Sail to make its way onto SevenPack and my first Christmas beer of the season. Not only is this a good name for a holiday brew, but it’s also known to be a decent, independently owned brewery. And, they seem to make a big deal out of the fact that they’re ‘independent’ and ‘employee owned’. Hopefully that means that they put a lot of pride in their beers, and that this fact will shine through in the taste.
This brew pours a clear medium amber with a very slight but lightly off-white head. The aroma of this isn’t terribly pungent, but it shines through with a metallic overtone and some hints of holiday spice. In the mouth, I would consider this an excellent holiday ale. There is a great deal of sweet, bready dark malts that give this a full and pleasing mouthfeel. In addition, there is just the right amount of spice here. The spice is light enough not to be overpowering, but heavy enough to definitively place this into the holiday ale category. Now, I haven’t had a ton of Christmas ales yet this season, as they are just beginning to appear on shelves. However, if my memory serves me well, then I’d rank this up there with some of the best that I tasted last season. While not terribly complex, this is flavorful and subtle, all in the right proportions, and it only becomes more pleasing as it begins to warm up in the glass. And, not to be overlooked is the great aftertaste that is both sweet and quite hoppy, leaving you with a great taste in your mouth and anxiously awaiting the next drink. Great job, Full Sail!
