Beer Review: 4 Elf

Reviewing the 4 Elf from Dark Horse Brewing Company.
Score: 83

Unknown bottling date from the 2011 release, served in a Surly Darkness snifter and enjoyed on 02/05/12. Thank you BeerAdvocate user minterro for hooking me up with this one!

Appearance: Pours a jet black color that is totally opaque save for a super faint, thin brown highlight atop the beer when held up to light. Pours a finger of creamy off-white/tan head that settles into a ring around the glass and thin foggy film of head atop the beer. Above average lacing. 4/5

Smell: Cinnamon, caramel, peppermint candy cane and winter spices. A little roasted chocolate malt and light cherry. Smells a lot like what you'd expect a "Christmas flavored" incense stick to smell like. 4/5

Taste: Creamy caramel, cinnamon, nutmeg and a little ginger upfront with a peppermint twist towards the finish. A little watery chocolate and cherry on the midpalate. Alcohol is totally hidden. You would never guess this is 11.5% ABV. 3.5/5

Mouthfeel: Pretty light bodied, which is surprising given the appearance. Low carbonation. A watered down, creamy mouthfeel. Has a slight bitter/malty, spiced finish. 3/5

Overall: I usually do not like winter warmers, but this one is pretty tasty. It's unlikely that I would buy more than a single bottle of this at a time, especially because the style is not my thing, but this is certainly a beer that I would drink again if given the opportunity. Quite the drinkable beer.

Recommendation: A good beer for casual beer drinkers. Above average winter warmer.

Pairings: Sugar cookies (that are shaped like Christmas trees).

Cost: $12 for a four pack.