94 Weizen-Bock, Ayinger (Germany). 7.1% ABV (1/10)
Lightly hazy golden amber color rich white mousse. Redolently fruity aromas of bread nut bread, brown sugar and poached pear follow through on a round, supple entry to a frothy, dry-yet-fruity medium body with tangy citrus and peach custard notes. Finishes in a long, chewy dried banana and mild spice fade with piquant, tangy and understated citrusy hops. A gorgeous wheat beer that will triumph at the table.
94 Jolly Pumpkin-Nøgne Ø-Stone Special Holiday Ale, Stone Brewing Co. (CA). 9% ABV (1/10)
Minutely hazy copper brown color. Complex aromas of pumpkin pie spices, nuts, figs and chocolate dipped rye bread follow through on a rich, pillowy entry to a fruity-yet-dry full body with shimmering waves of spices, fruits and toasty grainy bread notes. Finishes with long, chewy, peachy malt, and citrusy and piney hop accents. Fascinating and superbly conceived and crafted.
94 2009 Festive Ale, Sweetwater Brewing Co. (GA). 7.56% ABV (1/10)
Brown color with a copper cast. Aromas of cinnamon, coriander and toasty pecan praline follow through on a smooth, satiny entry to a fruity-yet-dry medium-to-full body with nice layering of spice, milk chocolate and dried fruit nuances. Finishes with pleasant spice cake and mild earthy and citrus hop fade. A nicely styled, easy-drinking spiced winter ale.
92 Wassail Winter Ale, Full Sail Brewing Co. (OR). 7% ABV (1/11)
Reddish mahogany color. Aromas of chocolate toffee and cookie with a round, supple, dryish medium-to-full body and mouth coating and savory, leafy green and root vegetable hops on the long, citrus-kissed finish. Fantastically balanced and appetizing.
92 Adoration Special Winter Ale, Brewery Ommegang (NY). 10% ABV (1/11)
Slightly hazy copper color. Aromas of chestnut honey, gingerbread and mild curry spices with a thick, chewy, fruity full body and along golden raisin compote, crème brûlée and exotic spice finish. Decadently flavorful and sure to please.
91 Winter Welcome Ale, Samuel Smith’s Old Brewery (England). 6% ABV (1/10)
Beautiful deep amber color. Inviting aromas of warming buttery praline and bubbly fruit pie crust follow through on a round, supple entry to a dryish medium-to-full body with lovely honey toasted baguette and subtle dried fruit notes. Finishes with a long, crisp bread and earthy and mild citrusy and peppery hop fade. A delicious, nicely balanced and subtle winter warmer.
91 Winter Ale, The Brooklyn Brewery (NY). 6.1% ABV (1/10)
Deep copper brown color with a reddish cast. Interesting aromas of sweet tea, sugared dates and Nutella-covered dark pumpernickel toast follow through on a round, supple entry to a fruity-yet-dry medium-full body with nice layering and depth. Finishes with a tangy grilled citrus, grassy hop and roasted nut fade. Very tasty and very different.
91 Rahr’s Winter Warmer, Rahr & Sons Brewing Co. (TX). 7.5% ABV (1/11)
Deep brown color. Interesting aroma of chocolate-drizzled Rice Crispies and peach butter with a chewy, dry-yet-fruity medium-full body and a grainy cracker, roasted nut, baked white bean and grassy hop finish. A solid winter warmer; serve with glazed ham.
90 Mild Winter Ale, Goose Island Beer Co. (IL). 5.6% ABV (1/11)
Amber color. Mild aromas of vegetable casserole, chocolate, pepper cracker and dates with a round, supple dry-yet-fruity medium body and a smooth, creamy mocha and raisin toast finish with a dollop of fine grassy, leafy hops. A very sessionable winter mild.
90 Mild Winter Ale, Goose Island Beer Co. (IL). 5.6% ABV (1/09)
Burnished copper color with a foamy high head. Roasted grain and toffee aromas follow through on a round, supple entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium body with dried fruit notes. Finishes with a long, toasted raisin nut bread and delicate spice fade. A deliciously drinkable and mild winter ale.
90 Jubelale, Deschutes Brewery (OR). 6.7% ABV (1/10)
Bright amber color. Pleasing toasted nut bread, winter garland and mild baked fruit aromas follow through on a crisp, round entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium-full body with stellar depth and a crisp, grilled citrus, peppery spice and salty roasted nut-accented fade. A delicious winter warmer.
90 Festeroo Winter Ale, Hop Valley Brewing Co. (OR). 6.8% ABV (1/10)
Dark copper color. Nicely meshed aromas of chocolate, toasty grainy bread and cocoa-dusted nuts follow through on a round, very supple and smooth entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body with honeyed dried stone fruit and citrus peel notes on the long, toasty earthy hops-kissed finish. An effortlessly drinkable and balanced winter warmer.
90 Birra d’Inverno, Theresianer (Italy) 2010. 9% ABV (1/11)
Hazy reddish copper color. Rich chocolate-covered graham cracker and honeyed golden raisin toast aromas with a chewy, frothy, fruity medium-full body and a lengthy caramelized fruity, delicate spice, baked apple and leafy green hop finish. A deliciously satisfying winter beer for savoring or the table.
89 St. Feuillien Cuvée de Noël, Brasserie St. Feuillien (Belgium). 9% ABV (1/10)
Lightly hazy dark copper color with a firm manila mousse. Aroma of brown sugar, vanilla pod, dates, herbal honey on raisin bread and delicate spices follow through on a rich entry to a fruity medium-full body with lots of chewy fruit and caramelized nut layers. Finishes with a long, honey liqueur and earthy hop fade. A delicious and promiscuous holiday treat.
89 Lions Winter Ale, Granville Island Brewing Co. (Canada). 5.5% ABV (1/11)
Copper color. Rich aromas of white chocolate pretzel and caramel fudge with a supple, frothy fruity-yet-dry medium body and drying macadamia nut brittle, kiwi, wafer and delicate spice-accented finish. Flavorful and balanced.
89 Ebenezer Winter Ale, BridgePort Brewing Co. (OR). 6.4% ABV (1/11)
Rich amber color. Caramelized nut, honeyed dried peach and Nutella on toast aromas with a round, supple medium body and delicately spicy, herb bread and citrus marmalade-accented finish. Very well balanced and tasty.
88 Xmas 2010 Ale, McGuire’s Irish Pub & Brewery (FL). 7% ABV (1/11) %{Brewpub}
Deep copper brown color. Rich gingerbread, nutmeg and orange compote aromas with a supple fruity-yet-dry medium-full body and a lingering caramelized nut, wafer and dusty apple skin finish. Very nicely balanced and styled.
88 Samuel Adams Old Fezziwig Ale, The Boston Beer Co. (MA). 5.8% ABV (1/09)
Dark copper color. Spicy gingerbread and coriander aroma follow through to lively, frothy, lightly fruity medium-full body of caramelized malt, orange peel and cinnamon bark flavors. Finishes with a smooth, spicy, raisin toast fade. Nice.
88 Rosey Nosey Holiday Ale, Batemans (England). 5% ABV (1/10)
Beautiful copper color with a lacy head. Mild aromas of caramelized nuts follow through on a supple entry to a dryish medium body with hints of cocoa-dusted apples, dates and figs. Finishes with a subtle praline and mild coffee-accented fade. Not really spicy in any sense, but a very tasty, comforting, lower alcohol “session warmer.”
88 Abbey De Saint Martin Cuvée de Noël, Brasserie de Brunehaut (Belgium). 8.5% ABV (1/11)
Hazy copper color with a firm blanket of foam. Bright complex aromas of gingerbread, clove and wintermint with a supple, fruity-yet-dry medium-to-full body and a lingering halo of roasted grains and nuts, wheat cracker and spice. A pleasantly spiced winter beer.
87 Rudolph’s Revenge Christmas Ale, Bastone Brewery (MI). 6.5% ABV (1/11) %{Brewpub}
Hazy deep copper color with a lacy head. Mildly spicy gingerbread and fennel custard aromas and flavors with a round, supple dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body and a roasted grain, honeyed nut and spice finish. Nicely balanced and stylish.
86 Stegmaier Winter Warmer, The Lion Brewery (PA). 7.2% ABV (1/11)
Deep amber color. Aromas of melted honeycomb, dried peaches, raw beans and sautéed parsnips with a chewy, fruity-yet-dry medium-full and a long, honey, vegetable, pepper and grassy hop finish. Interesting hoppy take on a winter warmer.
86 St. Benedict’s Winter Ale, Stevens Point Brewery (WI). 6.2% ABV (12/08)
Deep amber copper color. Tangy aromas of banana custard and chocolate-covered orange peel aromas follow through on a supple, soft entry to a fruity-yet-dry medium-to-full body with chewy caramel malt and dried golden raisin notes. Finishes with a tart, dried cherry and nutshell-accented fade with a coppery twang.
85 12 Dogs of Christmas Ale, Thirsty Dog Brewing Co. (OH). 8.3% ABV (1/10)
Aromas of bubbly cinnamon apple pie crust follow through on a round, supple entry to a fruity-yet-dry medium-to-full body with very good depth of pure spicy apple flavors. Finishes with a touch of ginger, spice and everything nicely in place. Very Christmasy.
84 Winter Warmer, Harpoon Brewery (MA). 5.99% ABV (1/10)
Deep copper color with a taupe lacy head. Bright spicy aromas smell just like RC Cola and follow through on a smooth, frothy entry to a dryish medium-to-full body with crystallized ginger notes. Finishes with a crisp, tart, root beer and kumquat chutney-accented fade. Try as a float with a dollop of vanilla ice cream.
84 12 Daze of Christmas Ale, Main Street Grille and Brewing Co. (OH). 11% ABV (1/11) %{Brewpub}
Deep copper, fleeting fish eye-bubble head. Boozy aromas of cranberry taffy, ratatouille and orange jelly on caraway rye toast with a mildly carbonated, lightly syrupy fruity sweet and sour medium-to-full body and a warming, tangy baked orange, brown sugar and grassy hop finish. An interesting bit of liquid confection that will be best with food.
83 Nix Purgabis Winter Ale, Bastone Brewery (MI). 6.75% ABV (1/11) %{Brewpub}
Hazy tan copper color. Aromas of orange marmalade, spicy gingerbread, honey caramelized carrot and faint lavender with a supple, fruity-yet-dry medium-to-full body and a cinnamon sugar, graham cracker, paprika and starfruit-accented finish.
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