War Mullet

War Mullet, Three Floyds Brewing Company, Munster, IN
(Imperial/Double IPA, Rated 99)

Took one look at this one in the glass and I knew it was going to be good. Pours a cloudy orange with a nice, thick, white head. Leaves nice lacing on the glass as it dissipates. Aroma is very pungent, citrus with orange peels, grapefruit, and an earthy quality. Taste is a juicy, mouthfull of hops, oranges, and a breadiness. Delicious hop bitterness though not over the top. A fantastic double IPA!

Zarabanda

Zarabanda, Deschutes Brewery, Bend, OR
(Saison)

Clear, golden-orange pour. Aroma is lemony tart, fruity, citrus, and clean. Taste is lemon citrus, zesty, little tartness, and a little peppery spice. Some great savory flavors with a malt body. Crisp.

7 Swans A Swimming

7 Swans A Swimming, The Bruery, Placentia, CA
(Abt/Quadrupel, Rated 94)

With so many holiday beers available this time of year, it's hard to try them all. This one is definitely one of my favorites. The 7th beer in The Bruery's "12 Days of Christmas" series pours a deep brown. Great aromas of banana, dark fruits, raisins, cherries, Belgian yeast, and bread. Nice rich flavors of dark fruits, brown sugar, sweet breads, and a caramel finish. Complex. Creamy. Fantastic!

Beware of the Dog Series: St. Nikkilaus Spiced Christmas Ale

Beware of the Dog Series: St. Nikkilaus Spiced Christmas Ale, Black Husky Brewing, Pembine, CA
(Spice/Herb/Vegetable)

Dark burgundy pour with a thick, foamy, tan head that stays for a while before fading. Immense holiday spices on the nose. Caramelized sugars, allspice, nutmeg, cinnamon. The aromas come through in the taste as well. The Christmas spices, nutmeg, allspice, cinnamon, cloves, lead the way. Sweet toasted malts and brown sugar round out this beer. Complex flavors. Full bodied. Just like with pumpkin beers, if you like spices, you'll love this one.

Jubelale

Jubelale, Deschutes Brewery, Bend, OR
(English Strong Ale, Rated 96)

 Deep, dark, brown pour with a nice thick, off-white head.  Aromas of toasted bread, dark malts, and light spices. Taste is similar, with dark roasted malts, spices, a touch of sweetness, and a slightly bitter finish. A slightly different take on the Christmas beer, but it just might be that this isn't my favorite style.

Fistmas Ale

Fistmas Ale, Revolution Brewing Company, Chicago, IL
(Spice/Herb/Vegetable, Rated 91)

On this Christmas Eve, I toast you this fine holiday beer. Dark reddish-amber pour. Aromas of pine, ginger, spices, oranges.  Tastes of holiday spices, ginger, caramel, orange peel, and underlying malt sweetness. Smooth with a bit of a hoppy finish. Very nice Christmas ale.  Merry Fistmas!

Highway 128 Blood Orange Gose

Highway 128 Blood Orange Gose, Anderson Valley Brewing Company, Boonville, CA
(Grodziskie/Gose/Lichtenhainer, Rated 90)

Hazy, orange pour with a nice, white head that steadily dissipates. Inviting aromas of sweet oranges and tanginess. Taste is citrus, salty, sour, and great sweet oranges that compliments. This gose is tart and totally refreshing. One of my favorite of this style so far.