Yuletide Confessions - Karbach Brewing Review
I’m not sure if Winter Warmer is a real beer category or not, but every time I see a beer with that label I have to buy it. There’s something about those holiday and winter beers that make them as special as the season itself, and Karbach had brought us a loudmouth.
Yuletide Confessions is not only a winter warmer but a high ABV instigator that gets the holiday season riled up and helps the drinker “Tell them what you really think of their deviled eggs.” It’s not just here to get us rosy cheeked, but to encourage raucous discourse as well.
But ingredients are what really matters, and Yuletide Confessions starts with 2-Row, Maris Otter, Flaked Oats, English Caramalt, Crystal Malt, and Chocolate Rye, and finishes with tried and true Magnum and Styrian hops. This brings us the holiday cheer at 7.2% ABV and 35 IBU.
I’m glad to see the warming aspect of this beer coming from a robust malt bill and not from a lot of unnecessary spices, which some winter beers have. But the proof is in the suds, so let’s get after it.
First Impressions:
On the Eyes--Deep copper color; topped with a beige head.
On the Nose--Malty, rich, and reminiscent of all my favorite cold weather beers. Notes of caramel and biscuit with the slightest chocolate in what we’re hoping is a whole lotta depth that will set this beer apart from the others with green and red labels.
On the Palate--Malty for sure, but what really strikes me is the bitter hoppy and chocolate rye notes, but in all the right ways. And this beer is smooooooth, with a rich, full body necessary for any beer labeled winter warmer. Yuletide Confessions has a lot of caramel depth that blends nicely with the clean and piney hop bitterness and finishes smooth and dry on the back of the flaked oats.
Food Pairings: Karbach suggests pairing Yuletide Confessions with Glazed ham, pecan pie, gingerbread anything, and long-winded rants. So open up and spread the holiday cheer.
Final Thoughts:
While I’m glad Karbach ditched the spice and spruce and spearmint that others add this time of year, my hold up comes with the humdrum of beers pretending to be different but actually being some inferior rendition of an original. The same beer over and over (but with a different name) makes the holidays boring.
Thankfully, Yuletide Confessions is not a boring beer. It’s deep, it’s rich, and it’s smooth as can be with a full body and dry finish that leaves the drinker wanting more. And its complexity is king. Not only does it have the caramel, biscuit, and chocolate notes, but a classic hop bitterness as well. Honestly, it reminds me of a Doppelbock mixed with a classic Pale Ale. If that’s your thing, get Yuletide Confessions while it lasts. We will, and we don’t go back for seconds often.
Happy Holidays!
Cheers!
Mr. Brew
Can’t get enough of the holidays? Check out Saint Arnold’s Christmas Ale and Deschutes’ Jubelale!