Pints And Steins

Editor’s note: This is the sixteenth beer in the Beer Advent Calendar 2015 series. Likewise, I’m going to be posting a beer review each day. Some will be Christmas or Winter ales and other selections will be beers I’ve been wanting to review for some time.

There are some fantastic breweries in Eugene, Oregon as this southern Willamette Valley town has seen a boom in its brewing scene. Today we travel to Hop Valley Brewing and check out their winter warmer called Festeroo.

Coming in at 6.8% and an IBU rating of 60, Festeroo is a limited edition winter ale that’s available in 22 oz bottles and on draft where you can find it.

How does it taste?

Festeroo pours a dark amber-brown color that’s transparent, but barely. There’s a little off-white/brown lacing on the glass and overall the beer has light carbonation. The smells you pick up on are of molasses malt and a bit of dark toast and biscuit. You also sense caramel and spices, making it perfect for the Christmas season.

When you sip the beer, you taste the clean and crisp amber-ale style beginning that’s hop-forward and smooth on the back end. You do pick up on that caramel malt and the piney, grassy hops. The beer finishes with a that piney, refreshing hop finish.

This beer starts well and ends perfect. If you’re an amber fan looking for a winter beer to try, this is the one for you.

Should I buy it?

Absolutely. Buy multiple 22 oz bottles so you can share while enjoying Christmas baking or watching your favorite Christmas movie.

Tags: Festeroo, Hop Valley Brewing, Winter ale