Day 5: Krampus

 

Krampus

Origin: Birrificio Del Ducato (Roncole Verdi di Busseto (PR), Italy)

Style: Belgian Strong Pale Ale

ABV: 7%

IBU: Not Listed

Description: You thought the only things Italy exported were wine, fashion, and crooked politicians, didn’t you? Well, it looks like those assumptions have to change. Turns out there is a highly decorated craft microbrewery that makes pretty nifty beer, as well.

Named after the European story of the Krampus, a horned devil creature that came through the towns on the 5th of December to punish bad children, this beer is designed to invoke images of its namesake. There is a little bit of everything in this Belgian style pale ale, and an extra helping of spices.

Although listed as a pale ale, it really presents more like a Flanders Red. It pours a rust/copper colour with very little head. Wafts of orange and coriander fill the glass and your nostrils. But the taste is humongous. Sour notes play on my tongue at first, playing nicely into a rich malt sweetness through a very nice transition. But once the spices hit you, all that comes before is forgotten.

I’ve got to admit, some sips seem like they are too much to take for me. There is so much going on in this beer that once that big finish arrives, I kind of twitch my eye and give it a quick head shake. There are pepper note, coriander, balsamic, and dark fruity tannans. It is almost a beer version of mulled wine. I’m left with an image in my mind’s eye of an evil Italian genius stirring a bubbling pot while cackling maniacally, thinking “Oh, those poor Canadian bastards won’t know what hit them.”

Okay, maybe that’s a little much. But that is really something else. The only thing I could possibly suggest that would be along the same lines is a Cuvee Des Jacobins Rouge by Brouwerij Bockor, or possibly a Tart Of Darkness by The Bruery (although that is suggested just to get an idea of the depth of flavours in the beer).

So put those kids to bed early, ladies and gentlemen, because the Krampus is one evil little beer. – C.L.