ucsbdude (68), Santa Barbara, California, USA
| 4.4 | Aroma | Appearance | Flavor | Palate | Overall | | 8/10 | 5/5 | 9/10 | 5/5 | 17/20 |
Nov 16, 2002 Very rich and complex.Each vintage tastes different with hints of several spices. Gets better with age.
 beerguy101 (3946), Newark, California, USA
| 4.2 | Aroma | Appearance | Flavor | Palate | Overall | | 8/10 | 5/5 | 8/10 | 4/5 | 17/20 |
Nov 15, 2002 Updated: Feb 22, 2009Special Ale 1996
Sampled on 2/4/2009. This spiced ale pours a dark brown color from a 12oz bottle. Very minimal white foamy head, with is kind of to be expected with a 12 year old beer. Aroma is spices and caramel malts, somewhat sweet. A medium bodied ale. The malts are caramel and sweet and slightly oxidized although not as bad as one would have expected. The hops are earthy. There is a touch of carbonation left. The oxidation becomes more evident as the beer warms. The spices are nutmeg, orange peel and allspice. I am sure there were others, but they may be gone by now. This is way better than I expected it would be, it was over the hill but still very drinkable. Mouthfeel is full. Finish is smooth. Aftertaste is slightly sweet with some oxidation. (6-3-6-3-12)
Rerate ---1999,2000 and 2001 sampled. It is definitly different every year. Alway interesting when fresh, but it adds complexities and flavors as it ages.
sloth (1678), Ceciltucky, Co., Maryland, USA
| 2.5 | Aroma | Appearance | Flavor | Palate | Overall | | 6/10 | 3/5 | 4/10 | 2/5 | 10/20 |
Nov 12, 2002 Pours with a big head! Fluffy tan.Big spicey nose! What the hell is that!?Anise, vanilla,Licorice?Possibly some c-hops also?Body thin, dry.Maaybe i,m tastin some ginger also?Do i detect some WD-40 in the nose!?Never was real excited about this holiday brew.Havent had one in three or four years. Now i remember why.YUM?
bierkoning (6071), La Tropica, Netherlands
| 4.3 | Aroma | Appearance | Flavor | Palate | Overall | | 9/10 | 5/5 | 8/10 | 4/5 | 17/20 |
Nov 6, 2002 2001 vintage. Off white creamy head. Delicious berry fruit aroma. Full bodied. Complex taste with hops, coffee, roasted malt and red berries. A little bit smokey and just a hint of sourness. What a great beer!
Allseeingeye (223), Vero Beach, Florida, USA
| 3.8 | Aroma | Appearance | Flavor | Palate | Overall | | 7/10 | 4/5 | 8/10 | 4/5 | 15/20 |
Nov 6, 2002 2001: Nearly opapue black color. Gratuitous frothy head, looks like cappuccino. Nose of gingerbread and cloves with malt underneath. Malty start gives way to gingerbread/mace flavors with a mild astringency. A little dry sensation on the finish. Lingering spiciness.
argo0 (6939), Washington DC, USA
| 3.7 | Aroma | Appearance | Flavor | Palate | Overall | | 8/10 | 3/5 | 7/10 | 4/5 | 15/20 |
Oct 27, 2002 (2001) Deep dark ruby brown body, with small beige head. Aroma is ginger and malty, with some nutmeg. Flavor is malty, somewhat burnt caramel. Sweetens as it warms, but never gets cloying. Medium body and moderately syrupy.
007lund (92), Ann Arbor, USA
| 3.8 | Aroma | Appearance | Flavor | Palate | Overall | | 8/10 | 4/5 | 7/10 | 3/5 | 16/20 |
Oct 26, 2002 This is really good stuff. Interesting spiciness, a hint of citrus, with a battle between the malt and the hops. Long finish, a good way to fight cold winter nights.
slinkymello (137), Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| 3.8 | Aroma | Appearance | Flavor | Palate | Overall | | 7/10 | 4/5 | 7/10 | 4/5 | 16/20 |
Oct 23, 2002 I liked this one a lot... I had the 2001 and it was quite different. Prominent yeast... fairly tart with noticeable spiciness and a tad of citrus... floral aroma; fairly hoppy with a subdued maltiness that is a bit more prevalent towards the end... giving it a slight chocolate, cofee, stoutish quality... finishes off nice and dry. Me likes. Different, for sure.
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