Trader Joe's 2010 Vintage Ale

      There are several, usually high alcohol, Winter beers that you could cellar and drink for many years to come.    I have some Anchor X-mas Beer and TJ's Vintage from past years in a wine fridge.  Aging these a year really makes a difference, I recommend trying it.  TJ's Vintage is a good candidate for this.  TJ's pours out a very dark brown with a really persistent head.  If you don't pour very carefully all you get is head.  Lot's of spice, caramel and mocha on the nose.  The flavors are strong with this one.  There's lots of spice and mocha, with nice crisp hop and yummy caramel.  This is really good and packed with delicious alcohol, 9% ABV.  You really should buy some for now, some for next year and some for gifts.  The bottle is very fancy looking with a cork and everything.  Highly recommended.

Joseph Brau Winterfest

      Joseph Brau seems to be a Trader Joe's label, so they have no website.  Winterfest is a Double Dark Bock Lager, which is as beautiful a phrase as ever written.  Winterfest pours out a medium brown with a creamy caramel and mocha spice nose.  This is dark and rich, like Denzel, with coffee, mocha, and caramel.  There's medium hop throughout and the alcohol makes itself  known in a pleasant way.  This is one full bodied beer.  Creamy, smooth and absolutely delicious, this is a great winter beer.  DO NOT go to Trader Joe's and purchase this awesome beer.  It is mine, mine all mine.  This will be on the summit of the Winter beer list.

Trader Jose Dark

      This is Trader Joe's version of a Mexican dark like Negra Modelo.  TJ's usually has good stuff, so here it goes.  It's a medium brown with rich caramel, mocha and a hint of crisp hop on the nose.  In this case the nose is correct as there is a rich caramel mocha flavor. The hops are with you throughout with a strong tingle on the tongue.  This is very similar to Negra Modelo, which is a good thing.  This is a nice lighter dark beer that goes well with the warm weather.  It' nice and refreshing, balanced and flavorful but drinkable.  I would get this again, it's very nice, I like it.