Sweetwater Festive Ale

Brewed by Sweetwater Brewing Company
Style: Spice/Herb/Vegetable
Atlanta, Georgia USA

2005 bottle shared by SuIIy on 6/8/06. Medium-high to high clarity in a deeply chestnut-auburn body, with some deep mahogany notes. Head immediately fades to a ring, and is dark beige in color. Ginger and sticky chocolate complement each other well, with light hints of molasses and allspice providing lightly playful sweetness (though well-tempered). Very light, candied plum overtones brace the spices, and a medium strength is the aroma, overall, with no alcohol. Seems very OSA-ish to me, like a 2004 or 2005 (not as much obnoxious ginger as the 2003). Nothing rises sharply and there is a faint, smoothing creaminess (some hints of vanilla wafers). Still, as in the recent OSAs, the ginger is strong. In the flavor, sweet candied ginger, flecks of dusty nutmeg and clove are all lightly rinsed in mellow chocolate milk-like maltiness. Loose carbonation translates in to not much creaminess, with some wateriness growing. Light spice or roasted malt astringency on the finish, with bits of vanillin and tired malt flavors. Seems a bit too filtered...... As it breathes, the carbonation loosens (and it’s already loose to begin with), and though the spices don’t build up terribly, some dusty cinnamon-nutmeg and wateriness really don’t add much to making it complex or engaging. Still, if you like OSA, you certainly can’t discard this one. No alcohol noted.

Big ass flip top bottle(2005) shared by Beastiefan2k at HW open house. Dark brown color with a small tan head. Aroma of sweet baking spices(cinnamon, nutmeg, brown sugar) and dark fruits. The flavor had all of the above and a bit of milk chocolate as well. Reading my description, I should have really liked this beer but I just did not get it. The aroma was nice and inviting, but the flavor was rather bland and unexciting. A bit thin for a beer of this size.

A decent winter/holiday beer. Plenty of cinnamon and other warming spices Dark brown body, frothy head. Some strong malt characteristics with hints of cocoa. Very thin-bodied, though, which is disappointing. The alcohol is well hidden. Thin finish.

Bottle provided by beastiefan2k at Heavyweight Open House - thanks Eugene! - 2005 vintage - dark chocolate color, with minimal head - smells and tastes like Christmas, all right - lots of cinnamon and nutmeg (I know nutmeg isn’t listed as an ingredient, but dammit, It taste it!) - kind of thin at the end, leaving the overall flavor falling flat - kind of an ersatz version of Anchor OSA.

bottle-murky dark ruby red with a faint off-white fizzy head. aroma of cardboard and oxidized malt mostly with some spices and chocolate. flavors are kitchen spices, dark toasted grains, and some belgian-esque character (sweet malt profile?). palate is somewhat metallic and fizzy. as it warmed, the alcohol became more apparent, which eluded to a warm cinnamon-like note. actually, this beer works well. I would love to have it fresh.

Bottle thanks to CaptainCougar: Dark brown, light tan head. Aroma was roasty malt, kinda nutty. Flavor was nice and malty with some dark fruits, some spices, and some sweetness to it. Good solid beer.

Obtained via trade with Beeryum. Pours dark mahogany with a quickly fading beige head. Roastyness, caramel and apple in the nose. Flavor has notes of roasted malt, chocolate, cinnamon, pear and plum/raisin. Very full-bodied, flavorful and balanced. Pleasantly sweet, alcohol content extremely well-hidden. Full and round on the palate with subtle carbonation. Very good.

2005 bottle. Pours like a coke with a medium sized, tan head and good lacing with some yeast which sank to the bottom. Has a rich, malty aroma with caramel, plum, licorice, chocolate, and gingerbread. Very good flavor with more of the aroma and also some coffee, nutmeg, cinnamon, brown sugar and toffee. The beer lacks a solid hops presence - there is only a mild hops bitterness in the finish. I really liked how the spices played into this beer though - it’s not overpowering like other spiced beers, but adds a nice touch for a good winter beer. I’ll definitely buy some more next winter.