Review: Breckenridge Christmas Ale

Breckenridge Brewery Christmas Ale
The chill of a Colorado high-country winter calls for a beer with extra flavor and strength. Here it is. Breck Brew's Christmas Ale. At over 7% alcohol, with a sturdy texture and rich flavors of caramel and chocolate, our holiday seasonal is the fermented equivalent of a good fire.
The ultimate winter warmer.

Breckenridge is a fairly recent arrival in the local area. I'm a fan of their Rocky Mountain IPA and 471. Their other offerings are pretty solid, as well. Dave had said he found this one pretty nasty, but being a Christmas beer and personal taste being what it is, I had to give it a go. So, here it is:

12oz bottle poured into a pint glass, bottle purchased at Uncle Sudsy's.

The pour is dark brown with red highlights and a cap of off-white head.

Smell is pretty non-existent, maybe a very little bit of coffee or roasty malt aroma but that's it.

Taste reminds me a little of a brown ale of sorts, with the addition of a bit of coffeeish bitterness. There's a little bit of fruitiness in the finish along with a hop bitterness that washes in after it that has no real notable character.

Mouthfeel is medium in body and drying.

Drinkability is decent although its just not a very interesting beer, its kind of odd and doesn't really call for more than one. I'll stick to the IPAs.