Arrived this week in a nice wooden box with a fancy glass: this year’s edition of Rogue Ales Santa’s Private Reserve. For the past several years, the style and recipe of this beer has changed and for 2019 the brewery incorporated candy cap mushrooms into this strong ale. Per the press release:

This unique brew is made with candy cap mushrooms that were handpicked by Santa himself. Candy cap mushrooms – a highly-prized, edible, maple-flavored fungi – are one of the only sweet mushroom varieties and are commonly used in breads, cakes and custards.

The 2019 vintage of Santa’s Private Reserve boasts a deep maple flavor and aroma. The malts create background honey notes that elevate this sweet beer. It is then finished with a touch of citrus from Rogue Farms grown Cascade hops.

It’s the second candy cap mushroom beer I’ve received recently, so it will be interesting to compare the two.