Transparent dark copper amber with ruby hues and a nicely-lacing off-white froth of head. Aroma of sweet ginger and clove with some caramel malt and a touch of nutmeg. Body starts thick and well-spiced with a good bit of earthy dark caramel and some lightly tart cranberries. A good holiday ale with nice complexity of flavors and balance.

On draft at the brewery: pours a dark reddish brown with a bit of a spicy aroma but I didn’t pick up much more than that, taste was nutmeg with a cinnamon lingering aftertaste - but not very strong. I actually thought this was pretty good.

On draft at the Inn. Poured reddish brown with minimal head (as usual) that left the slightest of lacings. Flavor consisted of malts with some spices, nutmeg, cinnamon and cloves.

This years batch was brewed w/ the second runnings of a 275th anniversary brew that will be released in 2007. The abv is bumped up from the posted amount(now 8 %)...man that anniversary brew must be potent as heck. I can’t wait! Appears a murky, reddish brown, with a 2 finger, tan head that slowly fades out. Lots of lacing is scattered around the pint glass. Smell is of the anticipated cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, allspice, highligted by cranberries. I was also getting a whiff of juniper berries in there but all those mulling spices may just be playing tricks on my mind before the holidays arrive. Taste is of the mentioned aromas in a slightly fruity, malty, brown sugar infused flavor that seems to be what they were shooting for. Mouthfeel is medium bodied, spicy, smooth, with decent CO2 levels that lead to a semi-dry finish of cinnamon and nutmeg.

On tap at the GLI. Poured a medium, cloudy reddish-brown color with a smaller off white head. Aromas and tastes of malts, fruits and spices. Nutmeg the stronger spice with cinnamon. The body was a little thin.

Tasted on 11/20 (the 2nd runnings tastings). Cinnamon definitely stronger this time around. 8% very well hidden. My ratings on my notes were close enough that I’m not changing it...