Poured from a 12 oz bottle into a pint glass. This Christmas ale pours a deep copper color with a minimal off-white head. Very slight lacing left on the glass after a short time. The nose is overpowered by the spices (nutmeg, cinnamon, clove and coriander and orange peel). The sweet boozy smell of the high alcohol content (8%) is just detectible. Smells like your typical high end spiced holiday ale.We both agree that this one smells better than it tastes. Once again as with the nose, the spices are at the forefront in the taste. The spices mask most of the hop taste, and the malts are now more detectable and rather sweet. Or is that the cinnamon and nutmeg? It's hard to tell.
This is a smooth drinker with low carbonation and leaves some what of a warming effect from the alcohol. If you are looking for a Christmas ale of this style you will not be let down. This type of seasonal ale is not our cup of tea... oops I meant beer. But if we had to compare it to other beers of this style, we would give it a 7 out of 10. Personally, 4/10. That being said, this would be a great beer to share a 6 pack with friends and family during the holidays. It's just not much of a session beer, and is a little too spicy for our liking.
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