2.6 AROMA 4/10 APPEARANCE 3/5 TASTE 4/10 PALATE 3/5 OVERALL 12/20
UPDATED: OCT 3, 2005 2003 edition
Dark copper red colour with very little light pink head that rapidly disappears. Aroma of dark malt, molasses, and cherries. Very strong malt flavour up front, with a slight taste of cherries on the finish. Feels very rich in the mouth, but finish is cloyingly sweet. Okay for warming up after being out in the cold, but I’ve definately had better. I was expecting more cherry character.
1.4 AROMA 2/10 APPEARANCE 2/5 TASTE 3/10 PALATE 3/5 OVERALL 4/20
Bought a few cases when I moved to Vancouver. Almost no head, several bottles were almost flat. Tasted better than most GIB brews, but that’s not saying much. Odd aftertaste, almost like licorice and cloves.
4.2 AROMA 9/10 APPEARANCE 4/5 TASTE 9/10 PALATE 4/5 OVERALL 16/20
Another seasonal release from Granville Island, I really like this beer. The colour is a dark, ruby red with an off-white head. The aroma and taste are both quite good, with a slight sweetness imparted by the cherries at the end, without being syrupy.
3.3 AROMA 7/10 APPEARANCE 3/5 TASTE 7/10 PALATE 3/5 OVERALL 13/20
Strong clove, cinnamon, and nutmeg as well as ginger in the spicy aroma. Deep red, bing cherry or garnet color. Some cherry in the aroma too. Enters clean but bursts with spicy flavors. Reminiscent of some tripels. The mouthfeel could be a lot smoother. Some sour notes in the rich and fruity aftertaste. Warming and a little like brandy. This beer has changed in different vintages. The 2003 was exceptional, and I give extra points because that incarnation of the Christmas Ale was memorable.
3.8 AROMA 8/10 APPEARANCE 4/5 TASTE 7/10 PALATE 3/5 OVERALL 16/20
On opening and pour:a beautiful dark cherry colour with a small tan/red hued head.the smell is malt and plums.
On taste: you would never know this beer is 8% Starts sweet and sherry like,but quicky go’es to christmas cake and plum.The cherrys come out in the middle and finish,this beer is not,but,almost too sweet.Just enough hops to kill the sweetness.
Good body and nice to drink,a real fine beer from granville island
3.8 AROMA 7/10 APPEARANCE 3/5 TASTE 8/10 PALATE 4/5 OVERALL 16/20
A spicy cranberry nutmeg nose and nice balanced hop and malt sweet/spicy taste and a clean spicy finish, very much reminds me of Christmas.
3.1 AROMA 7/10 APPEARANCE 3/5 TASTE 6/10 PALATE 2/5 OVERALL 13/20
03 bottle:Dark ruby red,large light pink head.Cherry cider & light alcohol nose.Sweet malt and cherry flavor with Belgian yeasty overtones and light alcohol heat.
3.2 AROMA 5/10 APPEARANCE 4/5 TASTE 4/10 PALATE 4/5 OVERALL 15/20
excellent aroma and flavour. good and christmasy; came with a nice glass too!
2.6 AROMA 6/10 APPEARANCE 3/5 TASTE 4/10 PALATE 3/5 OVERALL 10/20
UPDATED: DEC 19, 2003 2002: Dark amber in color with a nice head. Tons of spice aroma -nutmeg, cloves, and orange. Reminds of a holiday ham. Not too sweet though. Malt character limiting. A decent offering.
2003: Had his one at a holiday party (not the best tasting environment). Seemed a lot different (better) from the 2002. Sweet, malty, hints of tart cherries and belgian yeast all mixed-up.
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