Shepherd Neame Christmas Ale 2002 - 2005

Formerly brewed at Shepherd Neame
Style: English Strong Ale
Faversham, England

Nice boxed chrismas present from my sister. Citrus and peach aroma plus some peppered hops. Orange-amber color, big bubbles, blanket head. Fruity flavors, peaches, berries and tea. Slight oak and strawberry aftertaste. Wellrounded and pleasant, but I agree it wouldn't hurt with a bit more character - some edges to make it livelier. Nice full and warming body.

A nice brown colour from the bottle,no head,quite gassy,a strong fruit and spice presence.Not too bad.

Pretty amber colour but with a quickly dissipating "soda-like" head!?! Faint malty nose. The flavour is pleasant enough: a candy-like sweetness with notes of nuts and fruits. Finish is lightly bitter. All in all, nothing special. Added comment: The 2005 edition seems a lot more fruity - is it another beer? 7 3 6 3 14

Another brew from thedm's friend Martin from England. Best before 9/04. Bottle. This beer had a small sized ivory head that was creamy and smooth with fine-small sized bubbles that completely dissipated. The body was clear with fast rising carbonation and an orange hue. The nose was moderately hoppy and fruity with a light bitter taste. The mouthfeel was somewhat smooth and somewhat dry and medium bodied. The lacing was very sparse on the sides of my glass.

This brew came from my friend Martin in Englan. Thanks ever so much Martin! It poured a medium sized head of foamy finely sized long lasting off-white colored bubbles that left behind a softly carbonated transparent orange brown colored body and a good lacing. The aroma was a little strange. It was malty hoppy and a little like leather. The mouthfeel was initially very smooth then finished with a slightly tringly feel. The flavor was smooth with bitter and malt hop notes to it. It went down very easily and was quite enjoyable. Thanks again Martin!

(2006 vintage, 5.5% ABV) Clear, deep copper color with a smallish, big-bubbly head. Sweetish, candy-fruity aroma with pineapple and peach. Fruity-hoppy flavor with toffeeish maltiness and a slightly metallic, mildly bitter finish. Medium-bodied, smooth palate with a bit lemonadey carbonation. A smooth and pleasantly fruity, but quite uninteresting brew. No signs of Xmas here. (2004 vintage, was 7-3-6-3-13=3.2) Clear amber/deep copper color with a medium, vanishing head. Fruity and toffeeish, sweetish nose with floral hops. Very fruity, floral-hoppy and moderately malty flavor with a softly bitter finish. Medium-bodied, neutral, slightly thin palate with smooth, but quite high carbonation. Hides the ABV very well. A very easily drinkable and pleasantly hopped ale, but I don’t see the "Christmasyness" in anything besides the fancy package and high price. (2003 vintage was 6-3-6-3-13=3.1)

Bottled. Dark amber. A vinous aroma. Rather lively at first. flavour from some sweet, dried fruit.

Amber color with little or no head. The taste is watery with a slight malty taste. Boring...