Christmas Ale
Overall: 7.5/10 by 2 dudes
Dudes: 7.0/10
Trend: 7.5/10 over past 5 reviews 
Style: American Brown Ale
ABV: 5.70%
Seasonal: Winter
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8.0
Have Another:
- tikibeer from Sandwich, IL
- Date reviewed: Monday, January 16, 2012 at 01:04:35
- $2.49 for 12 oz. bottle
- 252 beers rated with a 8.2 average rating
Date tasted: January 15, 2012
Color: Amber-Brown
Rating Breakdown
Aroma: 8 (25%)
Taste: 8 (25%)
Look: 8 (15%)
Drinkability: 8 (35%)
Overall: 8.0
Similar Beers Tasted
| Beer | Rating |
|---|---|
| Brown Angel | 6.7 |
| Flashback 30th Anniversary Ale | 8.0 |
| Hub City Brown Ale | 5.0 |
| Indian Brown Ale | 9.3 |
| Moose Drool | 7.4 |
| Old Brown Dog Ale | 8.6 |
7.0
Have Another:
- scot from Oswego, IL
- Date reviewed: Monday, January 11, 2010 at 21:06:22
- $8.99 for 22 oz. bottle
- 882 beers rated with a 7.8 average rating
Pours clear with a huge, tan, frothy foam. Retention is like no other as it hangs around more than I wish as I hate drinking through foam. Lacing begins as the foam slowly recedes: sticky and web like.
Aroma is toasted malt, earthy, slight spice, with citrus hops. Not huge on the sniffer but definitely pleasant.
Taste is a toasted but sweet malt up front with a touch of roasted malt in the finish. Peppery on the lips. A bit of bitterness throughout with a strong citrus (grapefruit) hop bitterness into the aftertaste.
Medium body but thicker than it appears to the eye as it is a bit sticky. Light carbonation.
A good beer that I could have each season as it really doesn't come across as that big of a spiced beer. Easy drinking and low enough ABV to have a few. Enjoy!
Note: bottled on 10/16/09 1838 (from side of bottle)
Date tasted: January 11, 2010
Color: Deep Amber
Rating Breakdown
Aroma: 7 (25%)
Taste: 7 (25%)
Look: 7 (15%)
Drinkability: 7 (35%)
Overall: 7.0
Similar Beers Tasted
| Beer | Rating |
|---|---|
| 16th Anniversary | 8.1 |
| Bender | 8.0 |
| Bitch Creek Extra Special Bitter | 7.9 |
| Brown | 5.0 |
| Brown Angel | 6.7 |
| Cabin Fever | 5.0 |
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Cost Breakdown
$2.49, 1 serving, 12 oz. bottles
$8.99, 1 serving, 22 oz. bottles
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Beer Swapping
Malts
Pale, Extra Special Briess, Dark
Glassware
Nonic
Food
Ham, Turkey, Lamb, Aged Gouda, Dry Jack
Vintage 2011 - bottled on 10/31/11
abv: 6.2%
Pours a slightly cloudy amber brown color with a one inch cream white head. Head settles out after a few minutes leaving a thin layer of creamy tightly formed bubbles floating on top. Lacing sheets down the sides of the glass.
The aroma is lightly toasted malt, bread, brown sugar and a hint of spice and a dark fruit making an appearance as well.
The taste is similar to the aroma with lightly toasted malts, bread, caramel, and brown sugar with a light spice. I am also getting a bit of dark fruit, maybe raisin on the finish. The spice is light and is a nice change as too many of the winter beers over do it with the spices.
Medium body with light to medium carbonation. Creamy smooth mouth feel.
Overall I would say that this a solid brown ale that fits the winter season well. It is well balanced with nice winter flavors and a mouth feel that is buttery smooth and easy to drink. I have two bottles that I am going to cellar for a few years as the label says that it will age in the bottle up to 5 year. I'll let you know in a few years how it ages, but for now it tastes great!