The good folks at Widmer Brothers sent me a few of their new seasonal brew, Brrr. That was awfully nice of them and a habit more of you should consider adopting - especially nice as this will only be available in 17 US cities over just the next two months.

A big fruity nose on the first schnozzle: zippy citrus hops over figs and dates. Very appetizing aroma which reminded me of something I like and that something was a little like a Ithaca Beer Co Flower Power IPA. Could it be? Would it be? Who knows? Be patient. The brew pours a bright chestnut under a rich cream head. The press release calls it a "moderately strong dark red ale." Hmm. Maybe it's more Ithaca's Cascazilla I am thinking off. That's it! On the sip, this is a very nice beer: plenty of big US hops with even a bit of a hop acid burn but framed by dark malty tones of caramel, dried fig and baked apple. A bigger brew at "7.15%," the hopping really cuts what otherwise could be a cloying malty blob. Even with the creamy mouth feel, the hopping does not jar. A long herbal hoppy finish.

Solid BAer respect.