Sweetwater Festive Ale

Had this outside ATL on my trip last week. Very good, heavy, chewy, flavorful brew that reminded me of an old favorite: Bethlehem Brew Works Rudolph’s Reserve. Actually found this at Walmart. Big thumbs up, wish I could get more in CLT.

12oz. bottle from a 6-pack purchased at Kroger, Holly Springs, GA. 2009 batch 1 of 1. Dark brown, opaque color with small tan head. Head retention was mediocre. Nose is dark malt, light cinnamon and spice, and smoke notes. Flavor of roasted malts, dark chocolate, light spice notes and a hint of smoke and whiskey. 8.5% ABV is well-hidden. Somewhat light mouthfeel, not at all what I expected. A decent fall session beer, but a bit weak for a winter brew.

Tasty, full-bodied ale with a semi-sweet, slightly bitter finish, with a malty / chocolatey feel and aftertaste.

12 oz. bottle from a 6 pack from Mac’s on West Peachtree. I have tried this beer so many friggin times, I just haven’t rated it yet! Nice DARK brown color with a nice off-white head. Head fades away rather quickly .This beer looks pretty good. Aroma is kind of weak. I get a VERY faint aroma of cinnamon, but it is mainly a sweet malt aroma. Not as pungent as I thought it was going to be. The aroma needs a little work. A roasted cinnamon malt flavor. A slight awkward chocolate flavor as well. The spices play a very small role in this beer. I don’t know I remember this beer being a hell of a lot better than it is now. The beer has a nice malt smoothness, but still I wish the spices played a bigger role. The spices are SLOWLY coming out as this thing becomes warmer, but with other spice ales I don’t have to let them warm up this much to get that spice flavor/aroma. Overall, decent spice ale, but could be better.

2007 edition, bottle no. 1034, 33.8 oz waxed flip top bottle from Green’s Beverages in Atlanta, sampled 05/13/08. Dark brown colour with a mostly lasting creamy off-white head. Blackstrap molasses dominates the aroma and flavour, with cinnamon, vanilla, and other spices accompanying sweet chocolate and caramel malts and a lightly fruity bitter finish. Medium to full bodied, rich and smooth.

From the Bottle at Dr Bill’s Tasting Falling Rock Tap House, Denver 10/10/2008 񢉓 Vintage) Floral and rich malt aromas. Amber red coloured and strong in alcohol with a little dryness in a crisp bourbon finish.

2008 Vintage

4/25/2009: Sweetwater Festive Ale is honey-colored. The aroma and flavor are malty, paired with sweet citrus (orange mostly). This beer has a medium body and is a bit sticky. Good overall.

Sample from bottle at Dark Lord Day 2009. Rating #304 for this beer.

Bottle had 2006 printed on the side. Received via trade. Interesting to have a winter seasonal ale in the middle of spring. Spring time or winter time, either way it was still a nice beer. The beer pours out a chestnut brown color, opaque witha 2" thick light tan head. Aroma is mostly malty at this time, some light notes of ginerbread cookies, chocolate, hazelnut and cinnamon tea. Flavor had some mulling spiceyness to it, suprisingly sweet, a bit pruney with some nutmeg. Nothing overwhelmed the senses though and it all seemed rather restrained. Mouthfeel was a bit on the chewy side.