Marin Hoppy Holidaze Ale

Brewed by Marin Brewing Company
Style: Spice/Herb/Vegetable
Larkspur, California USA

2004-Aroma dominated by clove, nutmeg, and pumpkin spices, giving way to underlying wheat. Appears a cloudy light copper with minimal head that leaves a white surface film. Unique flavor, dominated by cinammon, with supporting orange peel, and underlying coriander, finishing with an acidity reminiscient of a Belgian wit.; interesting at first, but the aftertaste becomes somewhat unpleasant, after a few sips. Palate is appropriate and complimentary, it being light and refreshing, thereby allowing the flavor to dissipate; light effervescence as well. Overall, this beer is a bit less than the sum of its parts. I appreciate it for what it is trying to do, however I sincerely doubt I am going to be able to stomach the rest of it.

Bottle. Pours hazy orangey amber with a small off-white head that mostly diminishes. Aroma is dominated by the spices, smells of nutmeg, clove, ginger along with a yeasty breadiness. Flavor is sweet malts and spice, turns bitter and astringent as the hops kick in. Medium body and gentle carbonation.

Cloudy unfiltered light copper in color with a thin white head. Aromatics of biscuits, bread yeast, nutmeg, coriander, lemon, vanilla. Very similar flavors to that of the nose, very well spiced, vanilla is strong in the foreground, familiar chinook bittering character, light pine essence, lemon, banana. Medium palate, crisply carbonated, finishes light and moist. I had no idea what to expect from this brew and it is really interesting... worth trying.

22oz- smells slightly hoppy but not much else. A little head. light tan with little body. The taste is better than all the other attributes which is this beers saving grace. Orange, vanilla but mostly hops and nutmeg. Good winter brew but nothing special.

Bottle. Golden color with a nice white head. Some wheat and malt with a subdued spice aroma. Flavors aren’t strong, but some sort of a vanilla wit with some extra spice and hops. Too much trying to compete, but its refreshing and easy drinking. Aftertase isn’t all pleasant.

Pours pale amber with thin head. Smells like hay and spices; nutmeg and orange peel in particular. Fairly mild in flavor for a xmas ale. I’m surprised to read that this boy packs 7.5% abv, with such mild flavors I thought the alcohol would stand out more but I don’t notice it at all. Mouthfeel is quite smooth and drinkable. Nice easy drinking brew but I was expecting more. Don’t let the title fool you, there’s not much hop flavor in this one.

Foggy light amber hue, with no head. Nutmeg mixed with a barleywine that is well hopped is the aroma to me. This is up there for me as far as holiday brews go! Like OSA & Winter Solstice, but more complex and just better in general.

Cloudy copper color with no head. Cinnamon and spices in the nose but few hops. Smooth vanilla flavor along with the spices. My wife just added " It tastes like a Hallmark store".