SAMUEL ADAMS OLD FEZZIWIG ALE
Brewery: The Boston Beer Company
Location: 60 State Street, Boston, MA 02109
Style: Christmas Ale/Winter Warmer ABV: 5.9%
Review: Color is dark ruby. Nose is both very malty with nice background of spices and medium carbonation First half - Caramel malts dominate with notes of toffee, biscuit, and cherry or stone fruit. Second half - caramel and toffee notes dominate with very nice complement of spice, possibly nutmeg and finishes with all flavors blended well together with slightly sweet finish. This is a world class winter warmer. Seek it out.
Rating: 5 mugs
CHRISTMAS ALE
Brewery: Great Lakes Brewing Company
Location: 2516 Market Ave., Cleveland, OH 44113
Style: Christmas Ale
Review: A dark to medium amber color with a light tan head that quickly dissolves and gives way to a spicy aroma strong in cinnamon notes and hints of black pepper. Tastes great with forward notes of cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg and ginger. Slightly sweet in the middle with hits of toffee that finish with a lingering hoppy bitterness. This beer is full bodied and pretty dry and will bring back memories of great Christmas beers.
Rating: 4.5 mugs
ITS A BEAUT
Brewery: Brew Dog Brewing Company
Location: 316 Reading Rd., Cincinnati, OH 45202
Style: Christmas Stout with Toffee and Pecan
Review: Dark amber body, clear; dense, lively carbonation; nice head, off-white and thick and spongy. Wonderful aroma of sweet malt and bright holiday spice aroma; cinnamon, ginger; light honey tone. Dominant malt sweetness interspersed with notes of roasted nuts and Christmas cookie spices; light bitterness. Heavy body; earthy roughness on the palate; a bit of alcohol warmth and dryness. This is a world class Christmas ale - tough to find but worth the effort.
Rating: 5 mugs