Dark reddish hazy brown with a thin light moka head. Aroma of good c-hops, and fruity esters, with predominant prunes and vinoues notes. In mouth, not too sweet, light nutty malt, with a good dose of c-hops. Now, would the secret spices be coriander and cinnamon? Nice!

Pour is a red-orange with a white head. Aroma is quite hoppy and floral. Flavor is raisons and other dark fruits. The hops in the aroma disappear in the flavor. Still kinda tasty even though this is a bit watery in the end. More of an ESB than anything.

Winter 04-05 bottle. Clear, filtered ruby-amber body, with a deep magenta shine to it, looks quite the sight (except that it’s filtered) with an, at first, good-sized yellow-beige head, that slowly recedes to cover. Aroma has some nutty and fruity yeast notes, with plenty of cascades, nutmeg/cinnamon and light toffee. Flavor starts out with a dry, woody/nutty/earthy spice mixed with roast. Why is it that these spiced beers are alwasy too dry and astringent and combine not only the dryness from hops, but also the dryness from spicing. I think they ought to pick one of the two and go with it. Anyways, some light caramel notes make their way in to the flavor, but it’s too late, and by that time, the body is already thinning out on the end. Bitter hops are everywhere, unfocused spicing, dull feel on the palate, too much astringency, cheap, soad-like carbonation, unsubstantial body. . . . .but other than that, I love it!

Mild hop aroma. Red. Flavor of malt and sweet potatoes; some spices and orange. Medium body. Seems to be an American strong ale.

Light amber color with slight lacing, never really working up a decent head - slight floral hops in the aroma, with caramel and doughy, cookie-like smells - spicy and hoppy up front, melting into caramel malt that can’t sustain itself through the thin body of this ale - finishes like an IPA, with not much of the maltiness hanging around - some spice lingers, a slight gingerbready flavor - a drinkable though not entirely balanced offering, and not really hefty enough to be a winter brew.

Perhaps my least favorite so far of the "Looking Glass" line of beers. Starts with a nice complexity, with aroma that hints of orange-chocolate, caramel, earthy and spicy hops. But the flavors never meld: unbalanced orangey sweetness up front, unbalanced earthy bitterness in the finish. A cinnamon or nutmeg muted spiciness is in there somewhere but doesn't add much.