Sonoma Springs St. James BBA Winter Warmer

Our 2015 Winter Warmer Ale is a Double Version of our Bruja Majik German-Style Altbier. This beer is made a double with the addition of Belgian Dark Candi Syrup and copious amounts of malted barley of all varieties. We increased the amount of malted barley so much that not one more pound could be added to the mash tun or the vessel would have overflowed. The batch was spiced with cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, ginger, as well as bourbon aged vanilla beans from Madagascar. St. James was aged in bourbon casks for 3 mos to infuse the batch with bourbon and light toasted oak. The resulting beer developed into a smooth molasses-like gingerbread mouthfeel from the dark candi syrup with creamy vanilla-bourbon notes. The lingering edges of each sip gradually develops with the spices, bringing forth the clove, background nutmeg and finally evaporates with cinnamon and ginger. The finish is reminiscent of grandma’s pumpkin pie. Happy Holidays from all of us here at Sonoma Springs Brewing Company. Cheers!