• ba96

Beer AdvocateOriginally brewed as a Christmas beer in 1948, this dark ale has rich flavors of mulling spices and caramel, with a smooth palate and warming finish.

• we94

Wine EnthusiastOriginally brewed as a Christmas beer in 1948, this dark and flavorful brew has wide distribution and is thankfully relatively easy to find across the U.S. It's loaded with rich, caramel aromas and flavors, with supporting notes of baking spice, dried cherry and date, like a holiday fruit cake. Hints of buttered banana and caramelized sugar unfold on the palate, resulting in a flavor reminiscent of Bananas Foster. The mouthfeel is smooth and creamy, with superb balance and little warmth despite the beer's significant alcohol, making it sinfully easy to drink. Lingering sweet-spice and chocolate notes grace the long finish. It's a perfect selection to bring along to any holiday party and share with friends or family; pair it with a standing-rib roast or any braised meat dish.