Categorized under: Advent, Sebago

Beer Advent Calendar – Day 27: Slick Nick presented by the Beer Babe

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Sebago Brewing - Slick Nick Label

Beer Advent Calendar – Day 27: Slick Nick presented by the Beer Babe

To celebrate the Holiday Season, 2Beerguys.com and Seacoastbeveragelab.com have teamed up with beer bloggers around the country to host the first annual beer bloggers advent calendar. This is the season of sharing and we intend to share our love of beer with you. 31Bloggers Blogging – click here for the running list of beers/bloggers.

The Beer Babe Logo

Commercial Description:
Slick Nick Winter Ale is our most popular seasonal ale. The caramel and black malts we use to brew Slick Nick gives it the deep amber color. This insidious brew is best enjoyed during New England’s freezing winter months. Slick Nick himself is pictured on our label casing out the Victoria Mansion in Portland Maine on a blustery night. Warm up with one of Maine’s best winter offerings.

Details:

  • Style: Strong Ale
  • History: First Brewed in 1999
  • Original Gravity: 15 °P
  • ABV: 6.2%
  • IBU’s: 38.8
  • Pairing Suggestions: rich sauces, BBQ, grilled meats, and hearty sandwiches
  • Available: Late October thru January, via 6 packs, draft, and 22 oz bombers

 

Carla from the Beer Babe Blog

Why I selected Slick Nick from Sebago Brewing Company:

For the last few years, Portland, ME based brewer Kai Adams of Sebago Brewing company gets on the radio and announces the arrival of Slick Nick, their winter seasonal brew. And at that moment, I am often happy that the beer has come back, but also feel a twinge of sadness about the true end of fall and the inevitable beginning a long winter ahead. However, hearing Kai’s voice assure me that this beer will be around to keep me company during the long winter months is a consoling thought.

Slick Nick is listed on the ratings sites as being an English Strong Ale, but is comparable to most winter warmers. It pours a dark red – coppery in the right light – and has a slight amount of head when poured into a pint glass. The aroma is strongly caramel and there is a tiny bit of maltiness there, too, though it’s hard to pick out. The aroma is not particularly hoppy, and is actually quite mild overall.

The taste of this one is familiar to many Mainers – it has a distinct caramel malt flavor, but without too much complexity or richness. It is very easy to sip, and leaves its bitterness to just pop in to say hello at the very end of each sip. If I have one criticism on its taste is that it is a bit thin feeling – I’d imagine that to combat the abominable winters that a beer drinker would want something just a little heartier and fuller. None the less, this beer is a staple of the winter season for me and its sweet maltiness is a comfort.

Sebago Brewing Slick Nick - poured in a glass

As for the name, I always assumed that Slick Nick had something to do with referencing St. Nicholas and his ability to sneak in and out of homes undetected to deliver Christmas presents. However, upon reading the description on the Sebago site, I realize I’m mistaken.

Slick Nick himself is pictured on our the label, casing out the Victoria Mansion in Portland Maine on a blustery night.

Sounds like an infamous cat burglar of some kind. If anyone knows where I can find out more about this infamous character, I’d love to hear about it. Until then, I’m going to open up another one of these and hope for a white Christmas. Cheers!

About The Beer Babe:
My name is Carla, and I am The Beer Babe. I’m a woman who loves beer (and learning about beer), and I have been writing beer reviews for more than four years.

I’ve started visiting brewpubs, beer bars and breweries and writing up my “Beer Adventures.” , interviewee and consultant for may different beer sites, projects and events.

To learn more about me and my philosophies on beer, check out my site! http://www.thebeerbabe.com/

Sebago Brewing Company Logo

About Sebago Brewing Company:
Since its creation in 1998, Sebago Brewing Company has been brewing unique, high quality craft beers. Originally a single brewpub, Sebago has grown to include four brewpubs and to package beer distributed throughout New England. Sebago Brewing Company continues to tempt and arouse the palates of New England’s beer lovers. Sebago Brewing Company uses all American malt, hops and crisp water from Sebago Lake. http://sebagobrewing.com/

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