6.8

Appearance - 6 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 7 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 7

Bottle to glass. Smells of holiday spirit :)
Cinnamon and clove are very pungent, the same spice profile comes through on the palate. It has the essence of a pinecone wreath down, down to the hints of piney/citrus flavor on the finish. Mine has aged in the fridge for a few months but still poured a nice little off white foam atop the red/copper body.
Would drink again!

7.8

Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 8 | Flavor - 7 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 8

This review was imported from my RateBeer ratings.

12/10/2024
It's been 5 years since I last tried this beer. So I decided it was time for me to update my review of this beer.

12 oz. bottle
8.0% ABV
Best by: 10/02/25
IBU: 40
$11.79 6-pk @ Publix

AROMA: Spice!! And lots of it!! Significant amounts of cloves, cinnamon, and cardamom, followed by moderate amounts of ginger. This thing is a delicious noseful!

One thing I'm detecting this time around is a noticeable alcohol aroma. I don't recall having that the last time I tried the beer. But, hey, that was 5 years ago. So maybe I just didn't make a note of it in my tasting notes.

APPEARANCE: Pours a semi-translucent, medium-dark amber with a short, “dirty” tan head that dissipates fairly quickly with moderate lacing. It's nice enough looking, but I do wish the head were a little fuller and lasted longer.

TASTE: Medium-sweet with somewhat strong flavors of cinnamon and cloves. Some of the other flavors (ginger and cardamom) start to really shine as the beer warms. Which makes for an interesting experience since the flavor profile changes as you are drinking it.

Compared to my previous review of this beer, I would say that this year's version has much more pronounced flavors of ginger and cardamom. Additionally, I don't really get any orange peel or figs, this time around.

MOUTHFEEL: Full-bodied with an, initially, creamy-smooth texture that then transitions to a somewhat “rough” texture as the high level of carbonation kicks in.

OVERALL: I found this to be a very good spiced ale with some interesting twists that reveal themselves as you slowly consume it. I also found that the sweetness and spice levels were kept in check. Too many times, I’ve had spiced ales that are just so overly sweet or spiced, that it detracts from the fact that it is supposed to be a beer. This one does a good job of walking that fine line of being a beer, yet giving you that “Christmas cheer” flavor. Although, I would say that the spice level is about as high as I would want. Any more, and it would become too spiced.

For comparison purposes, my original review from 05/27/2019 is below, along with the rating I gave it in each category.

12 oz. bottle.

AROMA (7/10): Spice!! And lots of it!! Predominantly cinnamon and cardamom, but there are hints of clove and dark fruit (fig??).

APPEARANCE (3/5): Pours a medium-dark amber with a “dirty” tan head that dissipates VERY quickly.

TASTE (7/10): Medium-sweet with somewhat strong flavors of cinnamon and cloves. Some of the other flavors (dark fruit and orange peel) start to come out as the beer warms. Which makes for an interesting experience since the flavor profile changes as you are drinking it.

PALATE (4/5): Medium-bodied with a bit of an odd texture that starts off creamy-smooth but then changes to somewhat “rough” texture as the high level of carbonation kicks in.

OVERALL (16/20): I found this to be a very good spiced ale with some interesting twists that reveal themselves as you slowly consume it. I also found that the sweetness and spice levels were kept in check. Too many times, I’ve had spiced ales that are just so overly sweet or spiced, that it detracts from the fact that it is supposed to be a beer. This one does a good job of walking that fine line of being a beer, yet giving you that “Christmas cheer” flavor.

6

10/10/18, It's a bit late for Christmas but don't tell that to my pet tree Barkley. This baby's like cardamom cinnamon clove juice. Super spiced and dry, feels like literally chugging the cinnamon challenge. If Miami had snow maybe these would make sense?

7.5

Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 8 | Flavor - 8 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 7

12 oz bottle, pours clear mahogany with off-white head. Medium body. Malty spicy aroma. Taste has ginger, cinnamon, malt. Juniper comes out in the acrid finish.

7.4

Appearance - 6 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 8 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 8.5

(Tap) clear, very bright orange amber colour with a small white head; aroma of spice; balanced flavour with a long, light bitter finish

6.4

Appearance - 6 | Aroma - 6 | Flavor - 7 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 6.5

Bottle. Translucent dark coppery body, thin off-white head. Light nose, ginger and other spices. Interesting and surprising flavor profile, with a prominent bitter spiciness imparted by the cloves, cardamom, ginger, and cinnamon, anchored by a soft, sweet, velvety malt backdrop. I wouldn't sit down for more than one or two of these at a time, but it's pleasant for a change of pace.

7.2

Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 7 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 7

Poured from bottle caramel amber with a tan head. Aromas of spices caramel toffee and dark fruit. Taste is spices caramel malt toffee and brown sugar. --- Beer merged from original tick of 2XMAS on 06 Jan 2018 at 19:19 - Score: 6