Sailing Santa
BREWERY: Saint Arnold Brewing Co., Houston
STYLE: IPA crossed with a Christmas ale
THE PITCH: This hoppy holiday ale is a welcome break from the heavily spiced Christmas ales and winter warmers that turn up each December. A blend of Saint Arnold's Christmas Ale and Elissa IPA, this delicious ale is lighter on the holiday baking spices and has a drier profile thanks to the IPA component. Notes of orange, Meyer lemon and cinnamon show up in the aroma and subtly on the palate. The flavor is complex, with a good balance of dark toffee malt and citrus hops flavors that steers clear of candied sweetness and overly bitter notes. A nice effervescence and lingering, balanced finish are extra bonuses. With its medium body and 7.2 percent alcohol content, the beer is more easy-drinking than a winter warmer, too.
FUN FACTS: To make this ale, Saint Arnold ferments brewed batches of its Christmas Ale and Elissa IPA, adding spices — but no preservatives — after fermentation.
SERVE IT: Best served slightly chilled (about 50 degrees), and consumed within the month, as the spices will dissipate if aged. Store in the refrigerator to preserve the beer's freshness.
GET SOME: Sold in 22-ounce bottles for $5.99 to $7.99 at Total Wine (Dallas, North Plano and Arlington stores), Spec's, Central Market (Lovers Lane and Plano stores), select Kroger stores, and Whole Foods Market (Abrams Road and Belt Line Road stores).
Tina Danze
