REVIEW #18: Pickled Santa (Hopback Brewery)

I thought I'd finish off the last of my Christmas stock by drinking this winter warmer on an appropriately freezing cold night. It appears from the bottle a hazy orange hue, with an enormously fluffy and long lasting head. A strong cinnamon, nutmeg and honey nose is present. Despite initial sweet orange peel notes, it quickly turns dry and finishes the same with the added coriander and wheat malt becoming noticeable. It is neither as malty or fruity as I was expecting. Instead, quite a unique take on the winter warmer. I would expect to find wheat in a summer beer!

Hopback is a multi-award winning Wiltshire brewery which began life in 1986 but didn't become a private limited company until 1991. I believe Ridgeway Brewing also do a beer with the same name and very similar looking label - Santa stuffed into a jar. Perhaps this is some sort of collaborative effort?

• MALTS: PALE, CHOCOLATE, WHEAT, CRYSTAL WHEAT
• HOPS: PIONEER, WILLAMETTE
• IBU: ?
• ABV: 6%
• SPICED WITH CINNAMON, NUTMEG & CORIANDER. bottle-conditioned.

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