I know, I know, it’s late February  and I’m just now getting around to opening my bomber of Santa’s Private Reserve, from Rogue Brewery.  Tough.  There are a lot of good winter seasonals to get through, and I’m not done with them yet.   Santa’s Private Reserve is a little bit different from your average winter ale, in that it’s a red ale.   Not particularly heavy, and not particularly malty, it’s a refreshing treat.   The flavor profile reminds me a lot of an IPA, actually.  Pine on the nose, hoppy in the middle, and more pine in the finish.  Rouge’s tasting notes claim it’s roasty and malty in flavor, but I’m not getting that at all.  This one is hops all the way though, which is never a bad thing, in my opinion.