The message of Christmas has evolved over time into terms that the children of the day can comprehend. Where once we celebrated the birth of Jesus, we now find ourselves witnessing televised battles of good vs. evil, where good (signified by Christmas, Santa and presents) wins out over those trying to squelch the joyful holiday spirit. And rightly so. After all, in “The Grinch vs. Whoville,” “Kris Kringle vs. the Burgermeister,” and even “Frosty vs. Professor Hinkle the Magician, what would Christmas have been like if Rudolph hadn’t prevailed over the Abominable Snow Monster? Yes, it is a scary thought. Holy Hermey the Elf! Fremont Brewing might not have invented Bourbon Barrel-Aged Bourbon Abominable Winter Ale! B-Bomb, as it’s known the last three years, is a 13-plus-percent bourbon-barrel-aged winter beer released annually on B-Bomb Friday, the day after Thanksgiving. It’s a special treat to line up a series of vintages of the same beer. Today, Peaks and Pints presents a vertical flight of B-Bomb that we call Christmas Beer Crosscut 12.4.19: B-Bomb Vertical. Taste and sense the different flavor qualities; how have they changed with age?

Christmas Beer Crosscut 12.4.19: B-Bomb Vertical

Fremont 2017 B-Bomb

13% ABV, 65 IBU

The 2017 release of B-Bomb is aged in 12-year-old American oak bourbon barrels and is a blend of 9, 12, and 24-month old barrel strength Winter Ale. B-Bomb achieves distinct bourbon, oak, cacao, leather and dark coffee notes from its extended barrel aging and barrel blending. Each barrel contributes a different note, and combining each barrel to create a coherent tone is a distinct art and true pleasure.

Fremont 2018 B-Bomb

14% ABV, 65 IBU

Last year’s release of B-Bomb is aged in 8-12-year-old American oak bourbon barrels and is a blend of 9, 12, and 24-month old barrel-aged Winter Ale.

Fremont 2019 B-Bomb

14% ABV, 65 IBU

Brewed with 2-Row Pale, Crystal-120, Munich, Roast Barley, Carafa-2, and Chocolate malts plus Columbus, Willamette and US Goldings hops, this year’s B-Bomb follows the same aging and blending process as last year.

LINK: New beers in the Peaks and Pints cooler