Shepherd Neame Christmas Ale 2000 - 2001

Bottle 1999 Version, had this 07-01-07. Poured a fairly standard brown colour and had good clarity. Tastewise this still tasted suprisingly good, the almonds were still very much in evidence though they had mellowed somewhat and added a softness to the alcohol which still was quite punchy, some spiciness also present and overall despite it’s age I was pleasantly suprised and rather enjoyed this beer.

21 Jan 06 - Fruity floral hop malt aroma. Medium brown colour, reasonable lacing and head, but diminishes a bit too quickly. Fruity hop malt and nutty flavour. Bitter tangy hop and alcohol finish. This is better than your normal English beer.

(Bottle 50 cl) Vintage 2001. Beautiful dark amber with a rather subdued head. Typical fruity, nutty ale characteristics with a marked alcohol glow. 310802

Bottled, pasteurised, 2000 version. Dark port coloured, opened as a celebration of my 1000 ratebeer ratings. Smooth, vinous and very rounded. There is a hop overlay with a long finish. Use a goblet to get the full apreciation.
Earlier Rating: 9/23/2003 Total Score: 3.2
Bottled, Pasteurised. One of two bottles kept over from 2 years ago. Dry malty, earthy flavour with a modicum of bitterness. Pleasant rounded flavours, whiskey like and a alcoholic punchy finish.

(2001)sweet smell of melasses and hops, orange/amber colour, Starts with fruit, then bitter hops, and warming great finish

Very dry, almost peaty flavour. Somewhat sourish. Hints of allmonds. Peppery.

2001 vintage - transparent amber colour, few head, floral and vanilla aroma, well-hopped, nice bitterness, well-balanced, long aftertaste
2000 vintage - orange colour, artichoke aroma, sweet, very bitter, long aftertaste - quite complex