Rogue Santa's Private Reserve Ale 2013

I reviewed this beer back in 2012, but I had gotten to it late and was pleased to try it fresh this year. Christmas Eve waiting for the kids to be sound asleep seemed like the perfect time. This bottle was part of a gift box, complete with glass. The hops were much more pronounced when fresh, not surprisingly.

The beer pours a clear, but dark, copper and bronze in color. There is about an inch of thick, slightly creamy head, off-white to very light tan in color. The aroma is heavy on the oranges, fruity, tangy, yet sweet, over light caramel and maltiness, very light pine and grapefruit rind. The taste follows the aromas, an interplay of roasted and toasted caramel malt, dancing in and out of orange, with a bitter and piney finish. It is nicely carbonated, medium bodied, drinking refreshing. Ho, ho, ho, this makes for a jolly elf.