Lakefront Holiday Spice Lager Beer

Bright dark amber colour. The aroma is a little chemically - I know it’s just clove, ginger and orange peel but that’s how it comes off to me. Assertive palate - very heavy on the ginger and clove. Orangey accents. Hardly any balancing malts but what there is is caramelly. Unbalanced, and I’m not really vibing off these flavours.

(12oz bottle, bottled 3rd Week November -- 2004?) Small tan head atop a murky dark brown. Aroma is moderately sweet, gingerbread, some cinnamon. Taste is moderately sweet, ginger, brown sugar, candied orange, some earthy, light caramel. Medium body, very drinkable. Alcohol well hidden, with only a little bit of warming noticeable.

Dark brown pour with a good deal of carbonation. Potpourri aroma with lots of ginger, cinnamon, and orange peel. Syrupy earthy mouthfeel with a tart sticky finish. This hides its alcohol very well but has a little too much spice for my liking. Still a good beer though.

Jan 25: Rating is for a 1998-9 bottle, sample Jan 1999. From my notes: incredibly strong orange/honey/date aroma and flavor gives this beer the distinction of being the closest thing to fruitcake I"ve ever drunk. Nice orange-red color, large but quickly-diminishing head. Could have a stronger body, and perhaps a more assertive ending. 2002-wish I could get this in Vermont! Judging from the way other Lakefronts have held up as I"ve resampled them, this could be my favorite holiday brew out there. Very very strong in recent years -- 2001 was 9.5%. 9/4/8/3/16

2002: 2002-3 edition. Dark brownish/brick color, medium fast-dying head. Strong clove/orangepeel spicy nose, cinnamon, malt, slight alcohol. Just wonderful "holiday" flavor, not as thick or spicy as Anchor, but very creamy and full-flavored, with ginger, cinnamon, and cloves prominent but not overpowering. Great warming finish. The only beer from this brewery that has improved on a recent tasting; I"m hopeful, though it is no longer my favorite US brewer.

Bottle... Murky orange lager with red highlights and a mid-sized, fizzy, beige head. The nose is of fruitcake and gingerbread. The flavor is sweet honey and toffee with ginger snaps. Lightly bitter and mildly acetic. Full-bodied and chewy with gentle carbonation. Finishes spicy and sweet. Thanks to headbanger for the bottle!