Holiday Ale Festival 2006 Follow-up

This year's Holiday Ale Festival was great! I suppose at times it was over crowded with folks bumping elbows, long lines, depletion of the popular, more exclusive winter brews, etc, but in the end, it was a jolly good time. The organizers, staff, and volunteers deserve a big pat on the back should be lauded for their efforts to make Portland a truly great beer town.



Here is a recap of some of my favorite beers from this year's event:

Eel River Triple Exultation--This magnificent organic brewery puts forth a Scottish-styled maltalicious beast of a beer. Close to 10% in alcohol, this beer is smooth and comforting, and about as well-balanced a beer as you might find here.



Ninkasi Believer--This guy had everyone becoming a believer. I was pouring the first day of the festival at the tent serving this beer, a few good Belgians, and some other favorites, and must admit, this is the BEST OF THE BEST! Brewer Jamie Floyd is a genius with this hoppy beast of a brew. It finds a middle ground of these powerful beers at 7% ABW...Perhaps the #1 beer at this year's festival.



Walking Man Ho Ho Homo Erectus--This brew is the Tyranasaurus Rex of the show (save for maybe Samisclaus [14% ABV] which blew out early). The beer lists at 10%, ABW, but, it could be bigger than that considering it was aged in barrels containing Jamaican Rum. At first sip, the Ho Ho is a somewhat alcoholic with its effervescence of spiced rum, but follows with creamy and crisp notes that are quite complex. This beer is a huge crowd favorite as well.



Scaldis Nöel--This Belgian holiday ale appears relatively light in color (for the festival). With a carmelly body, explosive head, and delicious spiciness, word about this beer spread quickly and requests for it heightened rapidly.



Hair of the Dog Jim K.--Named for the late Jim Kennedy, founder of Admiralty Beverage, this unique beer is a blend of Mardesous 8, a Belgian Dubbel, and some Hair of the Dog beers. Like the Ho Ho Homo Erectus, this beer weighs in around 10% ABW. It's flavor ranges from super-complex to insanely experimental. It's color is one of a kind--a milky, murky concoction. Don't miss out on this monster!

Pelican Full House--Does this brewery ever make a beer that isn't amazing, well-balanced, and scrumdilliumptios? If so, I haven't tried such brew. This one, is named to commemorate a full house of medals won by the brewery at 2006's Great American Beer Festival (Three golds, two silvers). This 8% gem is an imperial version of the Doryman Dark--winner of a gold medal for best American brown ale. With a glistening, dark red-brown hue and pleasant chocolatey malt finish, this beer is one of the best balanced beer so far.



Rogue Santa Private Reserve--One of the lowest alcohol beers at the festival (5.3% ABW), this beer is another testament to Rogue's craftsmanship. Similar to Dead Guy in color and body, but drier and less carbonated, this beer brings a smile to the rosey cheeks of St. Nick and could even make Rudolph's nose even more red.

Klamath Basin Cabin Fever Stout--For those reclusive wintery daze, this thick, malty, and delicious concotion is one of a kind. With a small gray-bronze head and a deep black-brown body this beer is well balanced and takes on a roasted fruit complexity after several sips. Stout lovers should make sure to get a taster of this beautiful bear of a beer.