Ascension to Sainthood Via the Hop & Barley Express: A Review of St. Benedict's Winter Ale from Stevens Point Brewery

Karma says that you get what you give. Well, having tried this beer before and giving it a shout-out earned me the return favor of them sending me a six pack of the presented winter seasonal to sample and review. If nothing else this beer is perhaps the prettiest seasonal that I've tried. I think it's red. I mean it looks dark red but my red-green colorblindness could be playing tricks on me. It's pretty nonetheless.

If you're into Christmas beers then this cinnamon spiced bread laced warmer is for ye. While it's classified as a winter warmer -- and mostly it is with its malty dough and caramel center -- it also has many characteristics of a solid red ale as well with minor hop notes that enrich the beer but doesn't pollute it.

The thing that separates this beer from other winter seasonals, I think, is that it has a sour sweet funk from the yeast, as if it were a Belgian of sorts (and I think they do classify it as such considering the name. Doy!). A very drinkable seasonal that could easily be a session beer as my three minute downing of this beery treat surely proves. A great stocking stuffer or a trusty stick shift on your beer and spirits sleigh.

-Wörtwurst