 mikey (321), farmington, Utah, USA
Jun 18, 2005
Poured a dark auburn/ebony color with a creamy finger of tan head. The nose was complex with chocolate malt, caramel, molassesand and plum. The taste starts with chocolate and burnt malt, then transition to a strong raisiny/prune middle. Sweet caramel seeps in at the end. Hops take over in the finish drying the bitter chocolate, prune and expresso notes. The feel was nice and full. This was my first OSA, and I had great expectations for it. For me the overpowering prune notes turned me off. This was a good holiday ale, not great by any means. I’m interested to see what it’s like next year.
SuperDave70 (822), Beautiful Sunny Mesa, Arizona, USA
Sep 30, 2008 A bunch of this stuff just showed up at Sun Devil Liquors, which I thought was odd given the vintage. But, I couldn’t help but pick one up. Pours a dark brown with a foamy tan head that recedes to a ring. Aroma is lots of spice; cinnamon, clove, nutmeg and ginger. Also sweet roasted malt. Flavor is sweet, but not overdone. Some dark fruit and malt, and the spice comes through nicely. Very enjoyable. I may have to pick up another!
ChainGangGuy (1602), Kennesaw, Georgia, USA
Sep 16, 2008 Appearance: Pours a deep, dark brown body with a full, though quickly thinning, light beige head.
Smell: Earthy, smokey dark maltiness, some chocolate and caramel with notes of aniseed, nutmeg, cinnamon, and even allspice.
Taste: Dark malts with minor hints of sweetened cocoa and dark caramel. There’s still a big sprucy spiciness present, but it’s definitely died down over the years. There’s still a dull, earthy bitterness surrounding the maltiness. Touch of fruit, along with citrus and candied ginger in the background. Wisp of smoke. Drying finish with a lingering taste of spiced cocoa powder.
Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied. Medium low carbonation.
Drinkability: A pleasing wintery treat from yesteryear.
Alldaydrinker (462), Norwood, Massachusetts, USA
Sep 4, 2008 Courtesy of Irishboy, Thanks Richard! Pours a chocolatey dark brown color that is opaque. Head is fizzy dark brown that dissapates to small ring. Nose is very sweet, fruity, fig, plum, nutmeg and other spices. Initial taste is of cocoa, light roasted malt, cloves, nutmeg and red fruits. Mid palate displays the cocoa and tanginess of fruits. Finishing with a good palate, duration is above average. Light bodied. Velvety smooth mouthfeel. Minor hop balance on the finish. Interesting brew.
ansermadide (236), Kyle, Texas, USA
Jun 9, 2008 (Sample from December 14, 2006 Beer Club Meeting) Deep, dark color with red tint. Nose was of roasted flavors, cinnamon, spices... expected, I suppose. Flavor was well balanced: malty, sweet and fruity, spicy, gentle hops... reminded me a little of being trapped under a Christmas tree with a lingering presence of hop cones... and that scent... yep - like Christmas in a bottle. Goes down easy. Well done considering what was thrown into this medium bodied special brew... a pleasure to experience.
douglas88 (814), Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
Jun 6, 2008 Updated: Jun 9, 2008Footbalm shared a giant 50.7 oz bottle of this over Thanksgiving last year and I didn’t realize I had not rated it until now, luckily I wrote down the rating. Pours a deep red with a nice big tan head. The aroma was full of spices and pine notes, very appealing. The taste was well balanced between tons of cloves, cinnamon, and nutmeg with a light chocolate and malt body. Smooth and full body. Really nice beer especially for over the holidays.
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