on THE TAPHANDLE

Hibernation Ale, an American Strong Ale by Great Divide Brewing Company

12 ounce bottle. Hibernation Ale easily makes it onto my list of favorite ales. First, it is beautiful to look at. It has a rich, ruby color. It has a frothy, off-white head that stays around for quite some time and leaves intricate lacing in its wake. The body is clear and sparkles with excellent carbonation. Drinking it in the Trappist glass suggested by RateBeer.com seems to greatly highlight its visual attributes.

The aroma is of heavy malts, with molasses at the forefront. Dark fruits of plum, prune, and a hint of cherry are also present, as well as a spiciness. The flavor follows suit. It is a well-balanced blend of malts and hops, sweet and bitter, although there is a presence of slightly too much alcohol and a slight burnt wood flavor that are the only faults. But, the spices, which I cannot quite place help to alleviate some of that harshness. The body is good in the mouth and on the tongue. A nice warming quality is bolstered by the vibrant carbonation. I would have to agree with others that this would be a good candidate for the beer cellar. Another year or two would diminish some of the minor alcohol and burnt wood imperfections and make the rest of the great flavors really shine.

I had this with the wife's Turkey Tortilla Soup, which was a little too spicy for this ale. It would have been better matched to a nice slice of roast beef, but I am not complaining!