Today we’re sampling one of my favorites from Elysian Brewing and one of my favorite holiday beers, Bifrost Winter Ale.
Bifrost isn’t your typical holiday beer, instead it leans more toward a pale ale or better yet a winter pale ale. I like a hoppy beer and Bifrost has some really flavorful and aromatic hops, but with a well-balanced presentation. The beer pours a rich gold color and you can’t miss the hops in your first sniff. With citrusy aromas leading the way followed by apple aromas and subtle spices be sure to take some time to enjoy just the pleasant aromas.
Bifrost has a really nice malty presence that is balanced out with some of the citrus hop flavors I mentioned in the aromas. At 8.3%-AbV this beer will definitely get your attention, but I actually thought the warming boozy presence was a good attribute, in fact I thought it felt even stronger (in a good way). I was also surprised at just how hoppy this beer is. At 58 IBU the nice malty flavors have a real challenge staying in balance with the hops (Chinook, Amarillo and Magnum), but I think the beer does it well. We did let the beer warm a bit, but decided we liked the balance of flavors more when it was just a bit cooler. The beer finishes dry and earthy with some slightly sweet apple, dark fruit and molasses flavors….and yes some boozy presence.
There’s a lot going on with Elysian Brewing Bifrost so be sure to try more than one. In the end we really enjoyed not only how nicely balanced the beer is, but also just how complex the combination of flavors was to sample and discuss. Bifrost is available now through Dec in 22oz and 12oz bottles as well as on draft. Be sure to try Bifrost for yourself, and when you do, be sure to let us know what YOU think.
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