I wish I knew who my Santa was this year so that I may give her (or him) credit. I received a Limited edition beer from Allagash Brewery in Portland, Maine. This gift really hit home for me because it is hard to get quality beers from the East coast in my state (guess which one). It is "illegal" to ship liquor/beer/wine into my state with out a liquor license (the DABC confiscates it), but my Santa did a great job and got through.

It is a delicious sour red ale, fermented with the difficult Brett yeast strain for just under a year. This is perfect as I just finished a sour pumpkin ale from 2013 that I can compare the accidental sour vs this one.

This beer made my day. It starts with a nose full of cinnamon. ON first taste, it was lambic-like with a crisp cherry/cirtus start, then a palate cleansing dry tartness. If I am ever near Portland, Maine I will be sure to pop in to this Allagash for a refreshing brew. I read that this beer has a one bottle per customer policy due to its limited nature, and appreciate my Santa's sacrifice in procuring it for me.

Thank you Secret Santa.