Santa's Private Reserve Ale

A yearly holiday treat, but one that I always seem to forget about until it catches my eye at the liquor store. Perhaps that's due to the fact that Rogue isn't quite as well-distributed in San Diego as more local beers are. But either way, I can say that this is at least one Rogue offering that I'll keep in mind more often.

What makes this beer refreshing isn't necessarily it's inherent characteristics (though it's certainly no slouch there)...., but the fact that this is not yet another Uber-Ultra-Double-Mega-Imperial Monster Ale (that may or may not happen to fall upon a particular holiday) is in itself a refreshing change of pace.

A Session Holiday Ale? That may sound like an oxymoron, but in this case it works. 6%ABV, with a tasty, balanced malt- and hop-profile, and a generally quite balanced presentation overall.

Recommendable, for not only what this beer has to offer, but for also what it doesn't have. A well-made beer that isn't necessarily extreme and over-the-top. Refreshing, indeed.
//TB