not even a fire

Beer shops are surprisingly low on holiday gimmicks.  Maybe we should be grateful for the respite.  In any case, particularly Christmasy beers have to be sought out especially, generally not being put out in the front window for passers-by to gawk at.  Santo Cristo sounds like a good enough name to start with, given my location in a country steeped in Christy history, and then the chestnut version came into view.  Now we're talking.

Opening the top lets a whiff of sweetness out, promising seasonal flavors to come.  It's fruity, apple-y, very autumnal.  A little bit early for Christmas, but close enough.  It's a handsome color, a nice dark brown, with some light off-white head on top.  It's surprisingly not sweet - at first.  There's a strange burny kind of taste, a little bitter, then more chestnutty.  Finally, a little sweetness breaks through, although it's barely enough to get through the leafiness of the overall flavor.  Once you get used to it, it seems to settle down a bit, but it remains a beer that feels like it's looking for some company.  It's a beer to go with snacks, a supper of subdued flavors perhaps.

Supplier: La Buena Cerveza
Price:€2.76