Pour is a dark brown with no head at all. I’m afraid this might have gone bad as there is no carbonation at all. Aroma is burnt malts. Flavor is again burnt malts with a touch of hops showing up in the end. Overall thin and watery.

I tried this a few years ago and remember a somewhat thin, but tasty and cola-like, beer. The second time around, I realized this is actually a hop-driven beast, with a toasty, spicy body barely containing the big piney (Glacier?) hops. As the beer warmed there were hints of anise on the palate. Not exactly what I remembered, but not terrible. Nonetheless, I was a bit disappointed.

Beautiful dark brownish-red pour with a massive cream head... maybe a little bit too frothy, but that’s splitting hairs. Great lacing. Aroma is a bit weak, of malt, maybe a bit of spice and very mild fruit/hops. The only flaw in the taste is that it comes off as a bit watery about midway through it’s development on the palate. I would agree with heemer’s detection of a tea-like flavor, there is certainly something tangy in there. Also flavors of christmas cheer... There is a slight warmth to it, but it still retains its crispness. Grassy aftertaste with a ginger/cinnamon spicing comes and goes. Not bad, but I’d like a little more complexity.

Thanks to Indra for this! Pours clear and dark brown, looking much like a Brown Ale. 1" head of off white head that recedes quickly. Malt and citrus with some smoke in the background of the aroma. Sweet, without a great deal of bitterness, very light body. Pleasant, easy drinking beer which hides it’s alcohol well. Just not a lot of excitement with this one.

Malt and alcohol aroma. Standard strong ale appearance, dark with a red hue. Flavors of malt, alcohol, light spice, and sugar. Sweeter than many strong ales. Thin body.

Paid $7.99 for a 6-pack. Brown in color, slight hints of red, small, but creamy looking head. Smell is nothing special, a bit on the stinky side. Nothing overly special here. Kinda plain taste... really, no defined flavor here. Maybe slightly coffee, but really plain. Doesn't remind me of a stereotypical Christmas Ale at all. Glad I tried it, but I won't buy it again.

This stuff knocked my socks off! I was really surprised at how good this tasted, with a rich dark color and full flavor. This will definitely catch up to you after a few in front of the fireplace.