Durable sharp-hopped deep-fruited crimson-hued brown ale shuns expectant wintry seasonal (nutmeg-allspice) character for efficient chocolate-pale malt sweetness, expansive vanilla creaminess and toasted barley flaking. Mocha-malted hazelnut-chestnut wisp, acrid red grape tartness and yellow apple vagary dulled by carbolic excess, but thick charcoal-tar bottom boosts emergent raspberry puree lurk.

Decent, not classic, winter warmer with polite sticky malt sweetness taking center stage while minor maple undertones, nutmeg spiciness, and fruity backdrop fill out the finish. Why drink Bud? Brewery defunct: 2000.

Pronounced fruited wine spicing and steep raisin-prune-cherry upwelling differentiate Noel’s 8 .5-ounce winter ale from Scaldis Clovis (both brewed by Bush: 2008). Candi-sugared Belgian yeast stead invites cognac, brandy, cordial liqueur, sweet whiskey and medicinal cherry illusions to enrich maple-sapped chocolate-caramel malt efficiency. High-voltage alcohol whir well suited for holiday consumption.

Barleywine-styled cold weather treat parlays chocolate malt sweetness and plum-prune ripening into encouraging off dry cognac glimmer. Tertiary pumpernickel, rye, and cocoa bean illusions fill roomy center.

Black cherry brightens spruce-y Christmas ale. Perfect for any occasion, this nutty fuzzy-headed ’98 edition gains hop-procured clove influence to enduring caramel malt finish. Sappy yeast extract exhumes alcoholic might.

A dearth of gritty grains hurts up-front appeal of caramel malt-dominated winter brew. Only a hint of spice peeks through moderate bitter hop finish (where grassy wheat husk retreats).

White wine aroma, sweet malt creaminess, and light citric tartness beautifully merged for perfect wintry treat. Snowy “Silent Night”” label gives good indication of what to expect – refreshingly well balanced holiday ale with subtle spices, zesty fruitiness, frisky fizz, and pleasant water texture.

Rich prune-hued winter seasonal proudly displays sugary spice and everything nice. Lovely overripe purple grape landscape picks up burgundy-dried raisin thrust. Tongue-tingling prickly hops awaken mint-y green apple satchel, souring to ester-y white wine reticence.

Eye catching winter scene on label is ale’s most appealing characteristic. Watery hop-teased light body begs for better nutmeg spicing, richer dried fruiting and improved distinction.

Syrupy maroon-hazed winter warmer sustains immediate nutmeg prominence, cinnamon spicing, and herbaceous nip. Spunky prune-raisin convergence moves along pipe tobacco roast to fruitcake finish, but firmer malt foundation needed.

Musty alcohol-fueled winter warmer ripens to sweet-tart red apple simmer with subsiding grain backbone losing out to dark-fruited prune-raisin sharpness. Upon ’08 re-tasting: astringent coffee-burnt walnut-cola nut divergence sidles ashen brown-sugared caramel-butterscotch sweetness, distant cherry-fig wisp, and negligible nutmeg-cinnamon spicing to metallic end.

Though enjoyable brown-sugared cinnamon-nutmeg-allspice seasoning streamlines cola-walnut-hazelnut setting of Scotch-styled winter warmer, waning chocolate-vanilla creaminess and astringent raisin indifference haunt middling metallic ale. Sugar plum, sour cherry, and dry fig lost in metallic mix.