Olde Hickory Christmas Ale

I picked up a bottle of Olde Hickory Christmas Ale from Bruisin’ Ales in Asheville. The beer pours an amber color with a lofty and frothy white colored head. The aroma consists of cinnamon, caramel, nutmeg, and honey. The taste is dry with spices up front including cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg. A touch of honey sweetens up the finish with orange and is accompanied with a light grassy hop after taste. The alcohol content is not available online, but I would estimate it to be approximately 7.0% ABV. The beer fell short of expectations after having The Event Horizon from Olde Hickory, and it definitely was not among my favorite Christmas beers. I may drink it again, but wouldn’t go out of my way for it.

Olde Hickory The Event Horizon

I picked up a bottle of Olde Hickory The Event Horizon from Bruisin’ Ales in Asheville. The beer pours a black color with a frothy brown colored head that leaves a faint lacing on the glass. The aroma consists of honey, vanilla, bourbon, chocolate, toasted malts, cherry, and oak. The taste is smooth and silky with a delicate milk chocolate base and sweet caramel before a bold bourbon flavor takes over, imparting vanilla and cherry notes. Hints of honey and toasted malts are interlaced into the flavor and a dry oaky finish is left behind. The alcohol content is 8.5% ABV. This was one of the better barrel aged stouts that I have ever had with a wonderful blend of bourbon barrels. Vanilla, cherry, and chocolate all took their time on the tongue and left me wholly satisfied.

Olde Hickory-Foothills-Duck Rabbit Olde Rabbit's Foot

I received a bottle of the Olde Hickory/Foothills/Duck Rabbit collaboration Olde Rabbit’s Foot from the Beer Club 4 Men in a beer trade. The beer pours a black color with a thin bubbly tan head. The aroma consists of chocolate, vanilla, and bourbon. The taste is smooth but has a dry alcohol bite. Roasted malts come out before dry chocolate nibs dry out the mouth. A light honey accent, hints of alcohol, and oak are present in the finish, rounding out the flavor. The alcohol content is 10.13% ABV. This was a well crafted beer with delicate balance that was much appreciated. It was as if all the flavors were holding hands in harmony rather than fighting to get the attention of my tongue.