Christmas Ale

2011 Christmas Ale Pours a deep brown color with a hint of ruby redness. Huge frothy root beer style head. Head slowly settles, but has good retention and thick frothy lacing that sheets down the sides of the glass even before I even have the first sip. Aroma is big on the spices. I am getting clove, nutmeg, and maybe some cinnamon with a slight sweet malt aroma as well. Taste is very comparable to the aroma. Again lots of spice. Clove, nutmeg, cinnamon are the big flavors that are warped around a sweet malt. A pine hop as well as a bit of floral flavors are present as well. On the finish I am getting a bit of an orange flavor that works nicely with the spices and give it a really nice Christmas, winter style flavor. Light to medium body with medium carbonation. A slightly watery mouthfeel with a semi-dry, slightly bitter finish. Overall I like this beer, but it is very much a Christmas beer. A nice interesting mix of spices and flavors make a fun beer for the season. Put it on your list if you like the winter spiced beers!

Rating it high as Christmas Winter Ale - Molassy, spicy but works well together. Wouldn''t drink a six pack but a good blending of flavors. Definition of a Christmas Ale. Heavy end of the ales - close to a porter.