20/12/2019. Cask at the New Inn, Colchester. Pours clear dark amber with minimal head. Aroma of caramel, malt, hops, fruit, biscuit and light spice. Moderate sweetness and medium bitterness. Moderate body, oily texture, soft to flat carbonation.

Cask at Ales & Tails, Twickers, 11/01/14. Clear copper with a good sized light beige head that thins to a covering then stays for the party. Nose is candied sugars, caramel malt, spice, tropical fruit notes, nutty tones. A rich caramel vein pulses through this beer, light spice, candied oranges, red grapefruits, candied sugars, malty notes. Medium bodied, soft carbonation, lightly drying closure laced with subtle spice rubbings. Really decent drop - almost an American take in being a hopped up tropicalised ESB with a pinch of spice, wish all ’Xmas’ beers were this good !

Cask, gravity at XT Brewery Open day, Saturday 30th November 2013 Copper in colour good clarity, slim white rim of bubbles. Nice fresh nose, the spiciness is very well done, hops also good, nice fizzing mouthfeel, little buzz, this is a very nice Xmas beer. Russ (brewer) went and cracked open last years version i.e. 2012 so I got to try the 2013 & the 2012 both were hugely enjoyable the 2012 was extremely mellow A7 A4 T7 P4 Ov14 3.6