WBM Day 14: Ballard Beer Crawl

December 14:  My beerventure travel services were once again called upon Friday night.  Armed with the task of educating a novice beer drinker named Tucker, a Ballard beer crawl soon commenced.  Winter beers and trendy bars became the theme of the night.  First stop:  The Noble Fir

Roslyn Brewing's Winter Red Lager
Known for the 90s television show Northern Exposure, Roslyn is a quaint town with great chili, excellent pizza, and a brewery that has been around since 1990.  Featuring lagers, I was interested to see Rosyln's take on a winter seasonal.  This brew came across light and nutty, with only a slight bitter aftertaste.  Expecting it to be a heavy ale, Tucker's palette was surprised with the light chocolate taste.

Southern Tier's Krampus Imperial Lager
Last winter, a brewer house guest of mine gifted me a bottle of this beer.  I remember not being too terribly impressed with it.  This time around, on draught, Southern Tier did not disappoint.  I was pleased with the super hoppy aroma that I didn't expect in an Imperial Helles Lager.  Tucker noted some caramel smoothness in the front with some light pepper on the back.  Named after the Christmas Demon that allegedly helps St. Nick enforce the "Naughty List," Krampus warmed my belly with its devilish 9% ABV.

www.roslynbrewery.com                    www.stbcbeer.com