Blitzen Flavored Ale

Label:

Maumee Bay Brewing Company

1 pint 6 Fl. Oz

A radiant holiday ale specially brewed with orange, cinnamon, and honey.

Appearance:

Head: Off white to beige

Aroma: Orange, malty, amazingly complex scent, holiday spices

Body: Dark brown, says it’s filtered but lots of debris.

Taste:

Nutmeg, cinnamon, orange, honey, malty, carbonated…in that order, but all at once.

Stu’s Review:

This is a hiatus beer that I got as a present during my vacation to Ohio. Word must get out that I am a beer freak and review what I drink. First off, I love this beer for one huge reason: its local (for Ohio). Secondly, there are so many other admiring characteristics of this holiday ale. Its not overly spice, something that is EXTREMELY easy to do…try a Harpoon Holiday and tell me there isn’t nutmeg in there (although I truly love the Harpoon Holiday, I have to critic it…). It’s really well balanced. It’s got a hint of orange with subtler hints of honey for a well made sweet/sour combination. The spices elevate the base flavors to a more elegant level. Its not overly hopped and the malt isn’t roasted. It just screams talent on all fronts. Third, I don’t think you can find this beer outside of Maumee Bay…so you are stuck with my review. If you are in the Ohio/Michigan area please look this beer up, and do me a favor and send me more.

I think I am developing a midwest beer fetish.