2010 Anchor Christmas Ale

Anchor poured a deep mahagony color with a finger width, tan head. The aroma is fairly thin, malt with a little fruit, and a few earthy notes. The body is smooth, with low carbonation, and an almost flat, thin, creamy mouthfeel. There is some darker malt, some spices underneath, and some dark fruit on the backend. The finish has a dryness to it, a light bitterness that comes on late, and a few sour notes that don't seem to belong.

Overall, a below average beer. I had it on draft and it is nowhere near the quality of the last vintage I had in 2007. The body is missing depth, there is no wow factor, and those sour notes seem out of place.

Williamsburg Alewerks Tavern Ale

Tavern Ale poured a dark brown color with a finger width, tan head. The nose is malty, plenty of chcolate notes and some cloying hops. The body is smooth up front, rich and malty with as touch of sweetness. There is a light nutiness with coffee and bitter chocolate notes. The finish takes on a crisp aspect and leaves more dry, bitter notes.

Overall, a very, very good brown ale. The depth is nice, its balanced, and has a little complexity. This is well made and a nice representative of the style. Highly recommended.

Old Dominion Baltic Porter

Dominion's Baltic Poter poured a dark brown color with a finger width tan head. The aroma is malty with a bit of smoke. The body is smooth, and a low level of carbonation. The mouthfeel is malty, a little chaulk like with some smoke on the backend. There are faint notes of chocolatey brown malt and dark fruit. The finish is dry, with little bitterness.

Overall, this is an average to above average beer for its style. I am not the biggest Baltic Porter fan but this has a smooth mellowness that is nice. A little more complexity would bump this up a notch, but you could do much worse.

Lagunitas Brown Shugga'

Lagunitas brown poured a clear, reddish brown color with a thumb width, tan head. The aroma is malty with clean hops giving off an earthy, herby, almost spice like aroma. The body is smooth with a decent amount of carbonation. The first sip is malty and abrupt before moving right to a nice helping of hops on the backend. The hops here give off similiar flavors to the aroma without the huge bitterness overwhelming the chocolatey malt from the first sip. This transitions to a wonderful lingering, dry finish. The beer left some hanging lace on the glass.

Overall, a very nice beer. Brown Shugga is diverse and balanced, one of those beers that you just drink too quickly and end up looking at the bottom of your glass wishing you had more. The complimentary finish is really enjoyable, probably the best part of the beer.

Spoetzel Shiner Holiday Cheer

Terrapin Hop Karma Brown IPA

Pike Brewing Monk's Uncle

Monk's Uncle poured a hazy, golden yellow color with a paper thin, small bubbled, white head. The aroma is flowery, slightly sweet with a malt base. The body is pretty sweet up front, backed by a thicker malt base that dies out. It is a little thin on the backend, with the hops peeking though a bit.

Overall, an average tripel. The nose and first impression are great but it fades out. This needs some balance for the huge sugar bill up front as well as a little bit more depth. The finish is ok. An ok beer, but I miss the complexity here that I love in tripels.

Great Divide Old Ruffian

Old Ruffian poured a clear, mahogon color with a pen width, off white head. The aroma is clean, with some sweet fruit, bready malt, and herbal hops. The first sip is smooth, malty, and slightly sweet. The hops come forward, running the course of the body as they get bigger and bigger. The finish is very, very dry with a huge, long lingering bitterness.

Overall, this is a very good beer that extreme hop heads will adore. This is a sipper for sure, a hop assault on the palate that could pair with big, flavorful dishes. Drink this now or lay it down, the choice is yours.

Abita Purple Haze

Wolaver's Oatmeal Stout

Magic Hat Odd Notion Winter '10

The 2010 winter version of Magic Hat's Odd Notion line is a red ale brewed with hibiscus.

The beer poured a clear, maroon color with a two-fingered width, off white head. The aroma is malty, with lighter cherry notes.

The body is smooth, with mild carbonation. There is a malty sweetness up front and some spices on the backend. The body is a little thin for a red ale. The finish leaves a short, light yeasty dryness. The beer left a little hanging lace on the glass.

Overall, this is an above average ale that I liked. The rye adds to the red ale style and is a simple, easy drinking winter beer. This might not be for fans of American craft beer who love monster beers but I enjoyed it.