Boozy dark-spiced ’08 seasonal sprinkles cinnamon, nutmeg, and coriander atop brown chocolate sweetness. Prune-dried sugarplum-fig illusions sweeten molasses malts countering parched tobacco pinch.

Dubious seasonal brings nut-bread appeal to dried fig-peach swatch and funky vegetal wisp, but blandly sweet caramel malting finds no footing and lazy hazelnut finish lacks expected clove-nutmeg resolve. ’09 re-tasting: harsh honey-dripped cinnamon-toasted gingerbread seasoning receives bristly-hopped astringency.

Expectant winter spiced aromatics too weak for watery prune-dried winter seasonal. Nutmeg, cinnamon, and allspice barely register above resinous floral hop bitterness of murky butterscotch-hued ruby-highlighted winter warmer. Meager barleywine illusion sneaks in.

Mahogany-bellied winter warmer brings bright citrus nose, traditional nutmeg-cinnamon seasoning, and thickening cereal-grained cracked wheat confluence to cocoa-molasses passing. Bitter lemon peel tang consumes nut-roasted spiced-hop finish.

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.