 tagz (287), USA
Dec 23, 2007
bottle & growler. pours clear deep orange with a thick off white head. nice lacing as you drink. malt and pine aroma, but not overpowering. thick resinous taste, moderate bitter, slightly sweet and a nice edge from the slightly higher ABV. some citrus flavors come through but its not perfumey as some ipa’s come.
draft was a bit smoother. less bitter and the hop resin seemed toned down. made for more a session-like drink but the bottle wins out in flavor. both were excellent. this will become a regular during the holidays.
Imaena (175), Portland, Maine, USA
Jul 25, 2008 Draught @ Xmas in July @ the Bear. Ruby amber pour with tight quickly fading head. An Xmas IPA?? Hoppy and soft malts. NIce finish that leans towards dryness. Not bad but not a 96’er.
beerbill (1162), Laurel, New York, USA
Jul 22, 2008 2007 Edition. 12 oz. bottle. Pours a hazy amber with a moderate linen white head that lasted through three-quarters of the glass and left partial lace. Pleasant aroma of malt and some floral hops. The flavor is malt with some fairly strong bitter hops at the finish. Also dries out a bit at the finish as well. I’m not sure what makes this a Christmas beer versus just a normal west coast IPA other than marketing.
MaltDawg (224), Richmond, Virginia, USA
Jul 14, 2008 2007 Celebration Ale. Big floral hop nose with sweet carmelized pale malt backing. Clear amber orange with medium fluffy white head. Citrusy and floral hop flavor supported nicely with sweet pale and caramel malts. Medium to full body with medium sweet finish and a good bit of residual bitterness.
Quite nicely balanced American IPA or IIPA.
Gary__ (32), London, Greater London, England
Jul 10, 2008 Updated: Jul 11, 2008I found a bunch of these’s just sitting in the store -despite it being mid summer. The bottle label resembles Santa’s Grotto.I half expected Dudley Moore to appear too as an elf (the notorious 80’s Santa movie) as this bottle is the epitome of festive. Not the most Christmas’y of beers to drink however. . .Its basically a hoppy American IPA.: A very nice one.
Hophead22 (88), Redlands, California, USA
Jul 9, 2008 2007. big hop presence, smells wonderful. nice white/tan fluffy head that lasts. nice reddish/dark yellow color. big hops in the flavor as well, very smooth as it warms, fantastic beer.
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