Ill Tempered Gnome Winter Ale

Ill Tempered Gnome Winter Ale, originally uploaded by Ben McLeod.

Ill Tempered Gnome Winter Ale, from Oakshire Brewing
Season: Winter
ABV: 6.8%

A hoppy brown ale with bite!

C-Note Imperial Pale Ale

C-Note Imperial Pale Ale, originally uploaded by Ben McLeod.

C-Note Imperial Pale Ale, from Lompoc
Season: Christmas/Holiday/ Yule/Hanukkah/Kwanzaa/Thanksgiving/Black Friday
ABV: 8%

I'm confused. It's an "Imperial Pale Ale" that is, in fact, copper in color. With the color, one would expect an Oktoberfesty-type ale with a mild bitter start and strong malty finish. This copper-colored pale ale starts out with a hugely strong hoppy, bitter taste that stays on through the alcohol finish (that sort of tastes malty, but is more booze than malt).

Don't let my confusion fool you into thinking that I don't like it. I do indeed like it and will most likely indulge in more before the end of "the season."

Rogue Mogul Madness

Rogue Mogul Madness, originally uploaded by Ben McLeod.

Mogul Madness Ale, from Rogue
Season: Winter
ABV: 6.6%

A surprisingly bitter and hoppy winter ale, with a beautifully sweet boozy finish.

Wreck the Halls

Wreck the Halls, originally uploaded by Ben McLeod.

Wreck the Halls, from Full Sail
Season: Christmas/Holiday/ Yule/Hanukkah/Kwanzaa/Thanksgiving/Black Friday
ABV: 6.5%

A hoppy holiday ale that makes me hoppy - err, happy.

This holiday ale is surprisingly hoppy, with a malty kick in the ass! Seriously. The smell and initial taste is all hops, but then it warms into a strong malt finish. It doesn't leave a strong aftertaste, which always makes me go back for more.

Yummy!

Harvest Wet Hop Ale

Harvest Wet Hop Ale, originally uploaded by Ben McLeod.

13th Release Harvest Wet Hop Ale, from Sierra Nevada
Season: Fresh Hop
ABV: 6.7%

A beautifully bitter, copper ale with the most amazing head. Seriously. Look at the stuff! It's creamy.

I'd love to try this on a nitro tap!

Snow Cap

Snow Cap, originally uploaded by Ben McLeod.

Snow Cap, from Pyramid
Season: Winter
ABV: 7%

A classic winter ale that's dark and malty.

And at half the price of other craft beers, it fits my budget rather nicely!

Wet Hop Ale

Wet Hop Ale, originally uploaded by Ben McLeod.

Wet Hop Ale, from Rogue
Season: Fresh Hop
ABV: 6.4%

More fresh hop goodness - this time from the ever-wonderful Rogue Brewery who grew their own hops for this beautiful amber-colored ale.

It has a nice balance between the malts and the hops, creating an almost-Oktoberfest-type ale.