Reviewed:  December 2012
ABV: 6%
Brewery: Samuel Smith Old Brewery
Country: England
Beer Type: Winter Warmer
2012 Rating: B
2011 Rating: N/A

Comments:  Pours a clear copper color with a 2 finger white head, nice lacing.  Toasted malt aroma.  Great malt & caramel taste with a slight hop finish.  A nice English Ale.

Heavy Seas Winter Storm

Reviewed:  December 2012
ABV: 7.5%
Brewery: Heavy Seas Beer       (Clipper City Brewing)
Country: USA
Beer Type: ESB (Extra Special Bitter)
2012 Rating: B+
2011 Rating: N/A

Comments:  Pours an amber color, with a 1 finger white head, some lacing.  Strong hop  / mild malt aroma. Taste:  malt & spice start, nice bitter hop finish. Nice  beer -  Very Complex!

Smuttynose Winter Ale

Reviewed:  December 2012
ABV:   not 5.8%... but 5.83% - per their website: www.smuttynose.com
Brewery: Smuttynose Brewing Co.
Country: USA
Beer Type: Belgium Abbey Dubbel
2012 Rating: B+
2011 Rating: N/A

Comments:  Photo is better this time :)   Pours a dark reddish brown color with a 2 finger white head, some lacing.  Malt, caramel, fruit & spice aroma.  Roasted malt, caramel and dark fruit taste.  Very Good.

Snow Day Winter Ale

Reviewed:  December 2012
ABV: 6.2%
Brewery: New Belgium Brewing Inc.
Country: USA
Beer Type: Winter Warmer
2012 Rating: A
2011 Rating: A

Comments:  Nothing better than a Snow Day.  Pours a dark brown color with a 2+ finger off white head (after an aggressive pour), nice lacing.  A great hoppy aroma.  A nice  pine hop taste with  some chocolate and caramel in the background.  Just the right blend.  Not your normal "winter warmer".  EXCELLENT

Allagash White

Reviewed:  December 2012
ABV: 5%
Brewery: Allagash Brewing Co.
Country: USA
Beer Type: Witbier (Belgium White)
2012 Rating: A
2011 Rating: N/A

Comments:  Pours a cloudy lemon color (swirl the yeast from the bottom of the bottle) with a 1 finger white head that disappears quickly.  Aroma is Belgium yeast, spice & lemon.  Taste is wheat, yeast,  fruit & spices.  More complex than Hoegaarden.

Bell's Winter White Ale

Reviewed:  December 2012
ABV: 5%
Brewery: Bells Brewery, Inc.
Country: USA
Beer Type: Witbier (Belgium White)
2012 Rating: B
2011 Rating: B

Comments:  Pours a hazy straw yellow color with a 2 finger white head.  Wheat, clove and Belgium yeast aroma.  Sweet wheat , clove  & lemon taste. 

Hoegaarden Original White Ale

Reviewed:  December 2012
ABV: 4.9%
Brewery: Brouwerij van Hoegaarden
Country: Belgium
Beer Type: Witbier (Belgium White)
2012 Rating:  B+
2011 Rating: A

Comments:  Hoo-gaarden, an old friend.  The original Belgium White Beer, brewed since 1445.  Pours a hazy straw yellow color with a 1 finger head that disappeared quickly.  Lemon, wheat  & yeast flavor and aroma.  After drinking  an Allagash White, the Hoegaarden taste like lemon juice.  Still it is light & refreshing - EASY TO DRINK!

Smuttynose Winter Ale

Reviewed:  December 2012
ABV: 5.83
Brewery: Smuttynose Brewing Co.
Country: USA
Beer Type: Belgium Abbey Dubbel
2012 Rating: TDTR
2011 Rating: N/A

Comments: Notice that this photo is BLURRED.  Drank this beer near the end of a Great Christmas Party.   I can't remember what it tasted like.  I'll try it again... later this week.

Bell's Christmas Ale

Reviewed:  December 2012
ABV: 5.5%
Brewery: Bells Brewery, Inc.
Country: USA
Beer Type: Scottish Ale
2012 Rating: A-
2011 Rating: B

Comments:  Cloudy copper color with a 2 finger white head, nice lacing.   It's great to taste a Christmas beer that is NOT brewed with spices.  Bells brews this beer with Michigan barley & hops…nothing else.  Aroma is bread malt & pine hops…nothing else.   Taste is sweet bread malt followed by some nice hop bitterness...nothing else.  A GOOD beer...nothing else :)

Schlafly Christmas Ale

Reviewed:  December 2012
ABV: 8%
Brewery: The St. Louis Brewery
Country: USA
Beer Type: Winter Warmer
2012 Rating: B
2011 Rating: A

Comments:  Pours a clear amber color with a 2 finger white head.  You smell and taste the spices, cinnamon, clove and nutmeg. A good Christmas Ale.

Anchor 2012 Christmas Ale

Reviewed:  December 2012
ABV: 5.5%
Brewery: Anchor Brewing Co.
Country: USA
Beer Type: Winter Warmer
2012 Rating: D
2011 Rating: N/A

Comments:  Pours a dark reddish brown color with a 2 finger off white head.  Dark fruit & spice aroma.    Taste is dark fruit, spice with a weird sour finish.  Crystal thinks it taste like prune juice…she may be right.  Luckily there is only 2 left in the fridge.

Corsendonk Christmas Ale

Reviewed:  December 2012
ABV: 8.1%
Brewery: Brouwerij Corsendonk
Country: Belgium
Beer Type: Belgium Dark Ale
2012 Rating: AAA
2011 Rating: AAA

Comments:  Corsendonk Christmas Ale is a long time favorite of mine.   Could only find it this year in a big boy 750ml bottle     Dark ruby color, massive cream color head, decent lacing.  STRONG fruit aroma dried fruit, (raisins, etc.) Taste: roasted malt, drier fruit - SMOOTH & CREAMY - very Belgium.  EXCELLENT

Hudepohl Classic Porter

Reviewed:  December 2012
ABV: N/A
Brewery: Hudepohl-Schoenling Brewery
Country: USA
Beer Type: English Style Porter
2012 Rating: C+
2011 Rating: N/A

Comments:  Pours a dark amber brown color with a 1 finger tan head, no lacing.  Roasted malt & caramel aroma.  Taste is similar to the aroma; roasted malt, caramel with a hint of chocolate.  A nice porter.

Great Lakes Christmas Ale

Reviewed:  December 2012
ABV: 7.5%
Brewery: Great Lakes Brewing Co.
Country: USA
Beer Type: Winter Warmer
2012 Rating: B+
2011 Rating: B+

Comments:  Copper color, cream / tan head, cinnamon & nutmeg aroma, sweet spicy ginger & nutmeg  taste with a hint of hops at the end.  One of my favorite Christmas Beers!

Terrapin W-n-B Coffee Oatmeal Imperial Stout

Reviewed:  December 2012
ABV: 8.1%
Brewery: Terrapin Beer Co.
Country: USA
Beer Type: Imperial Stout
2012 Rating: A & I
2011 Rating: N/A

Comments:  Pours pitch black with a 1 finger white head, nice lacing.  Aroma is espresso coffee & chocolate.  Taste is similar to the aroma, espresso coffee, semi sweet chocolate and dark fruit.  Excellent & Interesting!

Yellow Snow IPA

Reviewed:  December 2012
ABV: 6.5%
Brewery: Rogue Brewery
Country: USA
Beer Type: American IPA
2012 Rating: A
2011 Rating: N/A

Comments:  Pours a hazy golden color with a 2 finger white head, great lacing.  Citrus & pine hop aroma.  Grapefruit & pine hop bitterness with some caramel sweetness in the background.  EXCELLENT!

Santa's Private Reserve Ale

Reviewed:  December 2012
ABV: 6%
Brewery: Rogue Brewery
Country: USA
Beer Type: Amber Ale
2012 Rating: A
2011 Rating: N/A

Comments:  Pours a reddish brown color with a 2 finger white head.    Pine hop, malt & caramel aroma.  Taste starts with great pine hop bitterness and is followed with a biscuit malt sweetness.  Hoppy & sweet - well balanced.

4/5's Black IPA

Reviewed:  December 2012
ABV: 6%
Brewery: Steve's Home Brew
Country: USA
Beer Type: Black IPA / Cascadian Dark Ale
2012 Rating: B
2011 Rating: N/A

Comments:  Pours a black color with a fantastic 2+ finger tan head.  Slight pine hop aroma.  Taste starts sweet  & ends with some hop bitterness.  Easy to drink!

Avalanche Ale

Reviewed:  December 2012
ABV: 4.4%
Brewery: Breckenridge Brewery
Country: USA
Beer Type: American Red Lager
2012 Rating: D
2011 Rating: N/A

Comments:  I would not reorder this brew… just drink a George Killian's Irish Red.

Yellow Snow IPA

Reviewed:  December 2012
ABV: 6.%%
Brewery: Oregon Brewing Co.
Country: USA
Beer Type: American IPA
2012 Rating: A
2011 Rating: N/A

Comments:  Disregard what your parents said...  eat (drink) the Yellow Snow!  Pours a cloudy golden color with a 2 finger fluffy white head, great lacing.  Fruit, spice & hop aroma.  Taste; grapefruit & pine hops, fruit/citrus with a bitter hop finish.  Excellent!

Blue Moon Winter Abbey Ale

Reviewed:  December 2012
ABV: 5.6%
Brewery: Coors Brewing Co.
Country: USA
Beer Type: Dubbel
2012 Rating: C+
2011 Rating: N/A

Comments:  Pours a clear brown color with a 1 finger white head.  Bread, malt & spice aroma.  Bread, malt, vanilla & spice taste.   Decent.

Samuel Adams White Christmas

Reviewed:  December 2012
ABV: 5.8%
Brewery: Boston Beer Co.
Country: USA
Beer Type: Witbier (Belgium White)
2012 Rating: B
2011 Rating: N/A

Comments:  Pours a hazy orange color with a 2 finger fluffy white head.  Wheat, citrus & cinnamon aroma.  Taste is similar to the aroma.  A Hoegaarden with cinnamon added.  A nice Belgium Style Witbier.

Samuel Adams Winter Lager

Reviewed:  December 2012
ABV: 5.8%
Brewery: Boston Beer Co.
Country: USA
Beer Type: Lager
2012 Rating: B+
2011 Rating: B+

Comments:  An old favorite, one of the few reasons I look forward to winter.   Deep amber color, nice off white head, good lacing, malt/spice smell, smooth malt taste with a caramel cinnamon flavor -easy to drink all night!

Rivertown Winter Ale

Reviewed:  December 2012
ABV: 7.5%
Brewery: Rivertown Brewing Co.
Country: USA
Beer Type: Winter Warmer
2012 Rating: A
2011 Rating: A

Comments:  Pours a dark mahogany color with a 1 finger white head.  Great cinnamon aroma.  Excellent - tastes like a Snicker Doodle!  Cinnamon & molasses.  A nice Winter  / Christmas beer.

Breckenridge Christmas Ale

Reviewed:  December 2012
ABV: 7.4%
Brewery: Breckenridge Brewery
Country: USA
Beer Type: Winter Warmer
2012 Rating: B
2011 Rating: C+

Comments:  Pours a dark reddish brown color with a 1 finger off white head, nice lacing.  Roasted caramel malt & spice aroma.  Roasted caramel malt, cinnamon nutmeg and maybe a hint of chocolate taste.  A nice malt / hop balance.

Goose Island Mild Winter

Reviewed:  December 2012
ABV: 5.6%
Brewery: Goose Island Beer Co.
Country:  USA
Beer Type: English Mild Ale
2012 Rating: B
2011 Rating: B

Comments:  Dark amber color, creamy 1 finger head, great lacing.  Caramel malt & fruit aroma.  Bread -caramel malt taste, with some sweet fruit & chocolate in the background -smooth & drinkable

Christmasbier (Weihnachts)

Reviewed:  November 2012
ABV: 5.5%
Brewery: Hofbräuhaus
Country: Germany & USA
Beer Type: Amber Lager
2012 Rating: C+
2011 Rating: C+

Comments:  Amber color, nice two finger head, no lacing. Malt & hop aroma. Basically a more malty version of the Hofbräu lager.  I prefer the Dunkel.

Hofbräu Dunkel

Reviewed:  November 2012
ABV: 5.5%
Brewery: Hofbräuhaus
Country: Germany & USA
Beer Type: Munich Dunkel Lager
2012 Rating: B+
2011 Rating: B+

Comments:  Clear amber brown color…a little lighter than what you would expect for a Dunkel.  Roasted malt  with a slight caramel taste.  Smooth & drinkable!

Christian Moerlein OTR (Over-The-Rhine) Ale

Reviewed:  November 2012
ABV: 6%
Brewery: Christian Moerlein Brewing Co.
Country: USA
Beer Type: American Pale Ale
2012 Rating: B
2011 Rating: N/A

Comments:  Pours a copper color with a 2 finger white head, some lacing.  Slight hop aroma.  Taste is well balanced, nice pine hop offset with sweet malt.  Well balanced.

2XMAS

Reviewed:  November 2012
ABV: 8%
Brewery: Southern Tier Brewing Co.
Country: USA
Beer Type: Spiced Beer
2012 Rating: C
2011 Rating: N/A

Comments:  Too spicy for  me.  Cinnamon, nutmeg, caramel & dark fruits.   This tasted like another damn pumpkin beer.

Samuel Adams Merry Mischief

Reviewed:  November 2012
ABV: 9%
Brewery: Boston Beer Co.
Country: USA
Beer Type: Stout
2012 Rating: C
2011 Rating: N/A

Comments:  Pours a pitch back color with a minimal tan head.  Cinnamon & malt aroma.  Very spicy - cinnamon, nutmeg & clove.   Just give a plain milk stout!

Great Lakes Nosferatu

Reviewed:  November 2012
ABV:
Brewery: Great Lakes Brewing Co.
Country: USA
Beer Type: American Strong Ale
2012 Rating: A
2011 Rating: N/A

Comments:  Dark amber color, nice white head, good lacing.  Pine hops aroma.  Let this beer warm up before drinking.  Taste: caramel bread malt-pine citrus hop -  smooth finish.  EXCELLENT

Hoptimum

Reviewed:  November 2012
ABV: 10.4%
Brewery: Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
Country: USA
Beer Type: Imperial IPA
2012 Rating: A+
2011 Rating: N/A

Comments:  Hop Bomb!  Pours a clear copper color with a 2 finger white head - great lacing.  Grapefruit & citrus hop aroma!  Taste is similar to the aroma - HOPS, HOPS & HOPS.  At 10.4% ABV, this is a "sipper".  Excellent!

Anchor Steam Beer

Reviewed:  November 2012
ABV: 4.9%
Brewery: Anchor Brewing Co.
Country: USA
Beer Type: Steam Beer
2012 Rating: A+
2011 Rating: N/A

Comments:  Pours a bronze color with a 1 finger white head.  Nice bread malt aroma.  Taste: bread malt, fruit & a citrus ending.  EXCELLENT. One of the 300 beers to drink before you drop.

Guinness Draught

Reviewed:  November 2012
ABV: 4.2
Brewery: Guinness & Co
Country: Ireland
Beer Type: Irish Dry Stout
2012 Rating: AAA+
2011 Rating: AAA+
Comments: Beautiful -  A perfect pour.  Nothing beats "The black liquidation with the froth on the top"!

Cabin Fever Brown Ale

Reviewed:  November 2012
ABV: 6%
Brewery: New Holland Brewing Co.
Country: USA
Beer Type: American Brown Ale
2012 Rating: B+
2011 Rating: B & I

Comments:  Pours a dark brown (almost black)  color with a 1 finger tan head that disappears quickly, some lacing. The aroma is smokey roasted malt.     Roasted malt, caramel & sweet  fruit taste.  Slightly smokey.  Let this brew warm slightly before drinking- better taste, as it warms up.

Sierra Nevada Tumbler Autumn Brown Ale

Reviewed:  November 2012
ABV: 5.5%
Brewery: Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
Country: USA
Beer Type: American Brown Ale
2012 Rating: B
2011 Rating: N/A

Comments:  Pours a dark brown color with a two finger white head, nice lacing.  Toasted malt aroma. Roasted caramel malt taste with a hint of chocolate. Dry hop finish.  Smooth - not too sweet.

Spaten Dunkel Lager

Reviewed:  November 2012
ABV: 5.5%
Brewery: Spaten-Franziskaner-Bräu
Country: Germany
Beer Type: Munich Dunkel Lager
2012 Rating: C
2011 Rating: C

Comments:Dark brown color with a 2 finger off white head.  Caramel malt aroma.  Caramel malt taste, with some hop bitterness in the background.  Easy to drink.

Huma Lupa Licious

Reviewed:  November 2012
ABV: 6.9%
Brewery:
Country: Short's Brewing Co.
Beer Type: American IPA
2012 Rating: A+
2011 Rating: N/A

Comments:  The label states "A complex malt and hop theme park in your mouth."  I'd just call it a "hop bomb".  Pours a cloudy orange color with a two finger white head, great lacing.  Great citrus hop aroma.  Taste starts with hop bitterness and sweet malt, ends with a fantastic citrus & pine hop bitterness.  EXCELLENT

12 Dogs Of Christmas Ale

Reviewed:  November 2012
ABV: 8.3
Brewery: Thirsty Dog Brewing Co.
Country: USA
Beer Type: Winter Warmer
2012 Rating: A
2011 Rating: B+

Comments:  Brown color, 2 finger tan head -nice lacing.  Aroma: spices and caramel toasted malt.   Taste:  spice (cinnamon & nutmeg ), honey & caramel malt.  

Weyerbacher Imperial Pumpkin Ale

Reviewed:  November 2012
ABV: 8%
Brewery: Weyerbacher Brewing Co.
Country: USA
Beer Type: Pumpkin Ale
2012 Rating: C+
2011 Rating: N/A

Comments:  Pours a cloudy copper color with a  2 finger off white head.  Pumpkin, nutmeg & cinnamon aroma.  Taste is similar to the aroma, but I also picked up an alcohol taste that kind of ruined the beer for me.  If not for the alcohol taste, I would have rated this beer a B+.

Dale's Pale Ale

Reviewed:  November 2012
ABV: 6.5%
Brewery: Oskar Blues Brewing Co.
Country: USA
Beer Type: American Pale Ale
2012 Rating: C+
2011 Rating: N/A

Comments:  Pours a deep golden color with a 1 finger white head.  Nice lacing.  Mild pine hop aroma.  Taste starts with sweet malt and follows with a nice citrus hop bitterness.  

Nut Brown Ale

Reviewed:  November 2012
ABV: 6%
Brewery:  Mt. Carmel Brewing Co.
Country: USA
Beer Type: American Brown Ale
2012 Rating: B
2011 Rating: A

Comments:  Pours a brown color with a 1 finger head & some lacing. Sweet roasted malt aroma.  A  nice hazelnut, toasted malt taste.  Well balanced.  The Bell's Best Brown was SLIGHTLY better than the Nut Brown Ale.

Bell's Best Brown Ale

Reviewed:  November 2012
ABV: 5.8%
Brewery: Bells Brewery, Inc.
Country: USA
Beer Type: English Brown Ale
2012 Rating: B+
2011 Rating: B+




Comments:  Pours a nice chocolate brown color with a 1 finger tan head.  Nice Lacing.  Malt & caramel aroma.  Malt, chocolate, nut & fruit taste, smooth dry finish.  Not too sweet.  Easy to drink

Tecate

Reviewed:  October 2012
ABV: 4.5%
Brewery: Cervecería Cuauhtémoc Moctezuma, S.A. de C.V.
Country: Mexico
Beer Type: American Lager
2012 Rating: C
2011 Rating: N/A

Comments: 
I drank this beer as  a "slow up-  stay sober beer" at our sales meeting in Tucson.  My pattern was: 3 Fat Tires -2 Sam Adams - 1 Tecate (repeat as necessary).  It worked, I was still vertical  each  night.

Murphy's Stout

Reviewed:  October 2012
ABV: 4%
Brewery: Murphy Brewery Ireland LTD
Country: Ireland
Beer Type: Irish Dry Stout
2012 Rating: A
2011 Rating: N/A

Comments:  Jet black color, beautiful nitro pour, two finger creamy tan head.  Same recipe since 1856!    Creamy mild sweet roasted caramel malt flavor.  It would be interesting to do a comparison vs. Guinness - I may do this around St Pat's Day.

Hopivore Harvest Ale

Reviewed:  October 2012
ABV: 6%
Brewery: New Holland Brewing Co.
Country: USA
Beer Type: American Pale Ale
2012 Rating: B+
2011 Rating: N/A

Comments:  Pours a clear dark copper color with  1 finger white head, nice lacing.  Nice hop aroma.  Taste starts with some malt sweetness and ends with a bitter hop finish.  Very good!

Barktoberfest

Reviewed:  October 2012
ABV: 6%
Brewery: Thirsty Dog Brewing Co.
Country: USA
Beer Type: Märzen
2012 Rating: B & I
2011 Rating: N/A

Comments:  Pours a deep copper color with a 1 finger white head that disappears quickly, no lacing.  Caramel malt aroma.  SWEET roasted  bread malt & caramel taste.  Unusual - Interesting - very good unique Märzen.

Ichabod Pumpkin Ale

Reviewed:  October 2012
ABV: 5.2%
Brewery: New Holland Brewing Co.
Country: USA
Beer Type: Pumpkin Ale
2012 Rating: B+
2011 Rating: N/A

Comments:  Pours a clear amber color with a 1 finger off white head.  Cinnamon, nutmeg & pumpkin aroma.  Taste is similar to the aroma, a  smooth blend of spices & pumpkin.  This is not a "pumpkin pie in a bottle" like the Schlafly.  You could drink this beer all night.