From Dec 2006

Poured from 12oz bottle(best by 04072007) a deep amber with a large head of foam that subsides slowly leaving a solid fine layer with plenty of lacing.

The smell is one the faint side but I note some sweet malt and some fruitiness.

The taste is quite malty. I can taste some sweet caramel and fresh baked bread up front with just a touch of lemon bitterness from the hops and an even smaller hint of spice in the finsh making for a dry aftertaste.

After a few more sips and as the ale gets closer to room temp, the spice does grow more prominent but it doesn't take over the flavour as I've noticed in other samples of the style. Good stuff!

Bottom line: This is an example of the style that may not be as complex as others but it's a darn good, smooth drinker that is worthy of your patronage. I recommend it.

On tap at the brewery GABF 2012. Pours a light brown color with a medium white head. A big spicy nose with toasted malts. A sweet easy-drinking brew with spices, caramel and toast. Good.

Bottle from Brewforia. Pours copper with a 2 finger creamy off-white head. Aromas of nuts, chocolate and a litlle fruity hop. Med body. Flavor is mildly chocolate, nutty and has touches of pine and citrus. More malt than anything. Finishes almost dry. Nut oil coats mouth. At least that what it feels like. Sturdy and tasty.

Bottle 12fl.oz.Unclear medium red amber colour with a average to large, frothy to creamy, good lacing, mostly lasting, off-white to light beige head. Aroma is moderate malty, caramel, oxidide notes. Flavour is moderate to light light heavy sweet and light to light light moderate bitter with a long duration, caramel, acrid tea, oxidide notes. Body is medium, texture is oily, carbonation is soft. [20120121]

This ale poured a deep amber colour with a tan coloured, creamy head. To the nose there are scents of citrus, pineapple, apples and orange. Small amoumt of spice with other scents of bread and pine. First sip was smooth and very creamy with flavours of spice, citrus hopps and toffee. Finish is medium bitter with malty caramel lingering.

Bottle. Hazy amber color, small off white head. Aroma of sour summer fruit and rising bread dough. Taste is bitter butterscotch and light spice. Not bad.

12 oz bottle. Pours slightly hazy copper with a fast-receding beige head that leaves a collar of foam. Aroma is nutty, creamed corn. Taste is bittersweet, nutty. Smells and tastes like Odell. Body seems a little thin, average carbonation. Overall, a really nice winter warmer.

[Bottle at the Bootlegger, High Wycombe] Deep amber-red with a moderate beige head. Herbal up front, caramel behind. A little boring, and rather disappointing.

Bottled. A red beer with an off-white head. The aroma has notes of malt and caramel. The flavor is sweet with notes of malt and caramel, leading to a dry and bitter finish. Thanks yespr for sharing.

Bottle at the Draft House Northcote. It pours clear woody-amber, with a thin white head and moderate carbonation. The nose is subtle: wood, bread, caramel and red grape. The taste is nut, caramel, wood, hay and grass. It has a decent balance and a woody-bitter finish. Simple and fairly inoffensive.