Ambiguous ruby amber solstice seasonal (better brewed under 2011-initiated ‘Belgian Freeze’ tag) receives maple-sugared roasted caramel facade aided promptly by heady alcoholic acidity, moldy orange souring, and earthy oak-dried black cherry finish. Drawback: lack of specific ‘Belgian’ eccentricities and unwanted tinniness.

Wimpy seasonal falters. Honeyed green tea bite provides herbaceous scurry amidst dewy chocolate malting, dry char-hopped raisin-banana spec, and delinquent coriander-clove notch. Sneaky walnut-Brazilian nut oiliness maunders through dank mildewed mustiness, burnt timber haze, and earthen grain faze.

Under-whelming light-bodied bum-out deserves dissenting holiday moniker as sullen metallic-hopped cinnamon-gingerbread-vanilla vagary disrupts astringent nuttiness, skimpy fruitcake whimper, and styptic pumpkin-banana snipe. On tap, candi-sugared fig-plum vibe grows stronger above peppered hops.

Though lacking spicy seasonal expectancy, honeyed vanilla malts invite marzipan, pecan, and biscuit-y wheat illusions to come and go. Phenol dry-hopped astringency undermines stone fruit nicety, but macadamia-almond nuttiness makes up ground.

Long neck-bottled holiday amber with strong-grained malt thickness and raisin serenity serious-minded microbrew snobs won’t disparage even if it’s made by a macrobrew giant. Though barley finish quits early, perfect for novice drinkers and OK by connoisseurs.

Musty sweet malt aroma, calm candied whiskey template, and elegant cereal grain backbone counter off-dry hop bittering. Lack of expectant seasonal herbs-spices lowers wintry resilience.

Richer, sturdier Euro version than brewers’ Dubbel counters sharply alcoholic corn-sugared Scotch malt palate and tangy tangerine-peach freshness with dry wheat-chaffed overture before losing steam. Teensy yeast particles in palest gold body fortify clove-coriander subtlety, apricot-banana ripeness and peppercorn tinge by soured orange finish. Retains dry white ale essence but lacks expectant cinnamon-nutmeg holiday seasoning. 2012 tapped version anchored sour lemon, moldy peach and bruised orange tartness to Belgian-like candi-sugared crystal malts above salty-spiced herbal peppering. On tap at Mahwah Bar & Grill, 2016 tapped version differed profusely as Belgian strong ale had murkier mix of champagne grapes, desiccated oranges and banana-dried cloves above its demerara-sugared white wheat spine.

Murky cinnamon-nutmeg aromatics, coarse mocha-dried bittering, anonymous maple-sugared fig-date sourness, and indiscernible winter accents deplete medicinal alcohol-doused medium body. A bit shallow beyond short malt-lacquered opening.

Contrary to customary cinnamon-nutmeg influenced holiday ales, non-traditional dry malt brew wraps murky smoked salami-nutmeat aroma around insurgent sweet tobacco leaf palate and wood burnt resonance, finishing closer to an India Pale Ale. Expansive hop spiciness tones down initial toasted barley affluence.

Santa Claus has come to town with this wintry red ale! But it’s unspectacular, as fig-dried tangerine-cranberry tartness, dryer green-hopped oiling and resinous grapefruit pining never command attention. IPA-like smoked bark singe overwhelms latent gingerbread-nutmeg spicing as well as peat-tobacco-basil niche and cola-walnut sear. Needs naughtier alcohol strength at precarious spruce-toned finish.

Blase’ medium-bodied mahogany-hued French-styled Biere de Garde lacks fruity luster and seasonal spicing. Modest mocha malting lulls cinnamon-nutmeg spicing, sullen dried fig interlude, and nominal earthen tepidity. Dispirited Christmas celebrator leaves me cold.

Brewed each year by Young’s from an ancient recipe, this distinct holiday treat from around 2004 retained rich yeast assertiveness, burnt caramel sweetness, and nutmeg seasoning. Fine malt blend offers characteristics of red and brown ales.