 michael-pollack (2606), King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, USA
Dec 15, 2007 Bottle (2007 Edition): Sweet, malty aroma; Like a barley wine. Smells of malts, sugarcane, nutmeg, and toffee. Poured dark ruby with a small, dense, tan head that lasted throughout. Clear. Sparkling. Heavily sweet flavor. Tastes of caramel, malts, nuts, sugar, nutmeg, molasses, and honey. Vinous. Really nasty flavor. Medium body. Dry texture. Lively carbonation. Dry, sweet, malty finish. I poured this out.
downender (2538), Bristol, Gloucestershire, England
Dec 15, 2007 Bottle (2006 edition) from Corks, Bristol. Deep ruby red colour with a short-lived tan head. Big aroma of christmas cake with plenty of cinnamon, nuts and dark fruit. Chewy mouth feel with plenty of spiced flavours and a dry, hoppy finish. Very enjoyable.
cathcacr (586), Portland, Oregon, USA
Dec 15, 2007 2007 ed. Mouthfeel and a certain flavor aspect are highly reminiscent of Rogue Hazelnut Brown Nectar. Finishes slightly watery just like the aforementioned as well. It’s actually not as big as the inviting seasonal aroma would promise.
cheapdark (2011), Monacatootha, Pennsylvania, USA
Dec 14, 2007
Piquant, overly spiced aroma. Caliginous appearance. Flavors that are a therapeutic back throat notion. A stronger alt feel. Entertaining palate. Overall a tranquilizing brew.
Pastor (509), Maine, USA
Dec 14, 2007 bottle poured dark ruby with a nice tan head that fades to a thin lace Aromas of gingerbread cinnamon, nutmeg . Ya it smell like christmas. Flavors of sweet fruit spices, cinnamon exspecially. There is a light bitter to the taste, but i think it comes from the spices more than hops, it has a great mouth feel to it, nice and crisp. it is a very interesting holiday brew.
Speedle (262), Mid-Atlantic (Tour 2007-2008), Virginia, USA
Dec 13, 2007 pours black with a big brown head....aroma of cookies and ginger...tastes of gingerbread...malts and hops are nicely balanced...crisp dry finish...nice change of pace for me with this one, I’m not a huge fan of spiced brew but I enjoyed this
reakt (938), Greater London, England
Dec 13, 2007 2007 bottle from Quaffs. Deep reddish amber with a nice beige head that’s tan around the edges. Gingerbread and cinnamon came rushing out of the bottle as soon as I removed the cap but there’s some sprucy hops, milk chocolate, orange and malt underneath. Maybe it’s just me in the Christmas spirit but I get a hint of icing sugar also. A great looking beer with a great aroma, in fact, still sniffing it now in preparation for a let down. Actually, no, I quite like it. Not earth shattering but very enjoyable, Christmas in a bottle if you will. Spice initially dominates but theres a late rush of chocolate, hops and malt in the finish that lingers for a while. Could have a little more body imo but I’m still gonna buy a few of these and stick em away. Also very curious of the other vintages now...Screw mulled wine, bring on the Noels and Christmas specials...
EKGoldings (447), Radford, Virginia, USA
Dec 13, 2007 Had this beer may times over the last 25 years or so. Dang, I’m old. Somewhat variable because they supposedly use a different recipe each year. This one rarely rings my bell. This one from 07 reminds me of years past, where the flavor of spice dominates and does not please me. Course, I generally frown on spiced beers, preferring hops to dominate. Nonetheless, this is a well-made, spiced Christmas ale that should be on everybody who enjoys this style’s short list. I’ve had these at one year age and didn’t find my enjoyment particularly improved.
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