This is the fourth year that Ryan and I have shared the 12 Beers of Christmas. Reindeer Games has been in each and I can't improve on my previous writing. An Amber IPA says it all. Still deserves every bit of the rating that I gave it.

Gets you in the holiday spirit - nutty ale and delicious

This is the third year in a row Ryan and I are going to Duo the Clown Shoes 12 Beers of Christmas. Starts out with a good one, a Bavarian IPA, that was in both of the previous packs. Nice fluffy head that lasts. Sweet aroma of citrus and malt. Flavor is excellent, just as I remembered. A cross between an amber and an IPA. Starts with an amber malt, traces of sweet caramel and bread. Balanced with the addition of a blended citrus and finishes with the IPA hop bitterness you would expect. This is pretty much the same review as last year except that with more experience I have become more appreciative of what they have done with this IPA. So smooth, so gentle, so well balanced in combining characteristics of a malt amber with the overall characteristics of IPAs. I am again raising my rating for this excellent beer. Wonder what might happen next year.

My son-in-law in Texas brought me another Clown Shoes "12 Beers of Christmas" to share. This one was in last year's pack. I'm going to rate it again. Still has the nice fraalty orange head in the beautiful deep red amber clear color. The flavor is moderate in hoppy bitterness, has amber qualities of light sweet caramel and bread. Takes these characteristics smoothly and gently through the finish. These low bitter IPAs by Clown Shoes is really what brought me into trying more IPAs. My appreciation for this category is resulting in me giving this a much higher rating than I did last year. Really like this beer.

Second beer on Clown Shoes "The 12 Beers of Christmas" pack. Pours with a high frothy head that is slightly orange in color. Clear, deep reddish orange in color, unusual for an IPA. Strong citrus aroma. Light and thin body. Flavor starts mild, orange peel citrus. Has a subdued hop bitterness that is followed with a dry malty finish. Another IPA that provides a restrained bitterness. The Bavarian influence is very evident. Almost feels like an Oktoberfest IPA. I can actually enjoy IPAs like this. Also, the artwork on all of these cans is fantastic. Actually hurts to crush them.