For the final day of the Growler Fills 12 Days of Christmas Cheer we’re heading down Montana’s Bitterroot Valley to Hamilton’s Bitter Root Brewing Co. for their annual Winter Ale.  It is a bit of a winter warmer style brew with some nice light spices added in. In Western Montana, there’s no question it’s winter this year.

Bitter Root’s Winter Ale is a deep mahogany color with some bright red highlights and a nicely thick biscuit colored head.  The aromas are of light caramel malt with light spice.  The flavors are of warm caramel malt, a hint of spice, candied fruit and just enough hop bitterness to keep the malt in check.  I get a hint of roasted malt in the finish. It is available in 22 oz bottles all around Western Montana.

We opened up a few more during the holidays including a bottle of Chicago’s Goose Island Beer Co.’s Demolition Belgian Style Brown Ale.  I admit to not being a fan of sour ales, but thought I’d give it a try. The color lives up to the name with a brilliant, clear, light golden color that shows off the bubble rising up through the beer.  There’s a nice white head that disappears quickly. The aroma is of nice floral notes and some grain malt. The flavor is a very nicely balanced grain malt and floral hops with a traditional slightly sour Belgian characteristic.  It is medium bodied with good character and finishes light and dry (7.2% abv, 40 IBUs).

One I didn’t get around to opening yet is an interesting one called Home for the Holidays, a 7.2% abv unfiltered brown ale fermented with Trappist Ale yeast and aged in oak barrels.  Brewed by the High and Mighty Beer Co. of Holyoke, MA, profits from the sale of this beer are donated to the Iraq and Afghanistan War Veterans of America organization.  I picked up a bottle at the Good Food Store in Missoula.