Beer Advent calendars are now a fairly big thing. I think there are four or five versions currently available in Alberta. And then there is the burgeoning trend of DIY beer advent calendars, where groups of people get together to create one themselves (everyone brings 24 bottles of one beer – usually wrapped – and walks away with 24 different beer; the organizer then creates a roster of when to open each beer).

But it wasn’t all that long ago when they were completely unheard of. For most people the only advent calendars had little packages of chocolate hiding behind the numbered doors. In fact, the first advent calendar around these parts was in 2012, when Craft Beer Importers released their first version. That first year, they did European beer exclusively, and I had the opportunity to try it. At the time I decided to write a post about the beer once a week, summarizing my opinion (to read those past posts, just enter “advent” into the site search engine to find them – I am feeling too lazy to provide the links). As you might expect, the results were mixed. One of my main critiques was that the box had to be packed quite early and many of the more delicate beer were past their prime.

I am told Craft fixed that in subsequent editions, focusing more on Canada and the U.S., allowing for fresher beer. I haven’t partaken in their calendar since the first year. Although last year I joined a DIY Advent organized by Chad Heinz (and which I wrote about here).

Last week, Craft offered me a box of their advent calendar for this year. I decided to say yes. And, since you can’t have too much deja vu, I once again decided to do weekly posts of my experiences, of which this is the first.

This year it will be a bit more chaotic, in part because my life is a bit crazy right now. Also, in regular life I don’t have a beer everyday and don’t plan on changing that for this December. Which means I will get to the beer when it is convenient. I will post collections of the previous days. Last time I posted every Monday. This year I will do it when I can. Sorry about that, but sometimes life happens.

So, here are my thoughts on the first few days of the Craft calendar. I have only gotten to the fifth at this point.

1. Anderson Valley Fall Hornin’ Pumpkin Ale

A funny cross-over beer of fall into winter. Pours deep ruby brown with a thick, tight light tan head. Aroma is sweet dark caramel, nutmeg, cinnamon, allspice, and clove. I find the start has a substantial malt character, with dark sugar, hints of molasses and dark fruits. The middle sharpens to thin out the body. Spices arrive at the end and push into the linger. I also get some roasted pumpkin character. Darker and heavier than most pumpkin ales, I find it is almost a hybrid of a pumpkin ale and a spiced winter ale. Not a bad start.

2. Lighthouse Black Sam Licorice Stout.

This is a deep black beer with a substantial dark tan head. Very stoutish. The aroma is surpisingly subdued, offering some coffee, molasses and only a touch of licorice. Flavour has a more pronounced licorice character. It starts rich and thick, with an earthy character, light roast and some sweetness. Licorice appears in the middle, giving a black, estery note to the beer. Linger is licorice and molasses. The base beer is disappointing, allowing too much space for the licorice.

3. Aspen Independence Pass Ale IPA

Pours slightly hazy, pale gold. Sharp citrus and pine hop in the aroma. Very west coast in its presentation. Flavour has some biscuit malt upfront but then all fruity, citrusy, piney hops midway which only builds as you work your way through the end. Linger builds through the sipping. I find it a bit one-dimensional for the style, the resiny character a bit over done.

4. Strathroy 1815 XXXX Peacemaker

A beer from a new Ontario brewery I haven’t tried. It pours dark, dark brown, almost black. No  head to speak of and not much life to the beer at all. The aroma is licorice, molasses, some dark fruit, hints of chocolate and anise. In the taste I first pick up some cola character and then plum and raisin, some light chocolate notes and a bit of molasses. Fairly lifeless. I am not sure what this beer wants to be. It is too big for a brown, not big enough for a strong ale and seems to fall nowhere in particular. The first disappointment of the pack.

5: Aviator Devil’s Tramping Ground Tripel

A bit surprised to see this North Carolina beer in the box. Pours light gold with a solid white head. The nose offers soft, earthy pepperiness blending with some light fruit and a floral hop. The first sip reveals a flowery, grainy beginning with a honey malt sweetness. Yeast spicing of pepper and medicine picks up in the middle and keeps building. Accents of lemony citrus linger in the background. It finishes with a fairly strong spiciness and some musty fruit. While not a classic of this difficult Belgian style, I like the melding of the honey and the pepper.