Passable bottle-conditioned penny-hued Belgian holiday ‘saison’ counters tannic white grape tartness with dried prune-raisin confluence abruptly sweetened by brown sugar dalliance. But muted dry pulp finish loses luster after fourth sip.

Pleasant moderate-bodied amber-hued libation with red-orange-fruited waft and wispy lemony lime spritz eclipsed by Belgian-styled candi-sugared barley-toasted honey malting. Reedy earthen tea mildness persists above doughy bottom, but lack of expectant wintry spicing hurts.

Dubious seasonal brings nut-bread appeal to dried fig-peach swatch and funky vegetal wisp, but blandly sweet caramel malting finds no footing and lazy hazelnut finish lacks expected clove-nutmeg resolve. ’09 re-tasting: harsh honey-dripped cinnamon-toasted gingerbread seasoning receives bristly-hopped astringency.

A dearth of gritty grains hurts up-front appeal of caramel malt-dominated winter brew. Only a hint of spice peeks through moderate bitter hop finish (where grassy wheat husk retreats).

Boozy nickel-hazed X-mas ale brewed in medieval Irchonwelz castle retains spotted yeast sediment, creamy caramel malt viscosity, and spicy herbal tinge. Dank Belgian yeast mustiness soaks up bruised orange frontage, wintry allspice-cinnamon-clove seasoning, faint vanilla variance, and teensy fennel dividend as heady alcohol warmth rises.

Subtly alcohol burnt medium-bodied winter warmer with visually soothing cascade bubbles and lacey head lacks bitter brutality of “humbug” namesake, as mocha malt dryness, faded orange wisp, and casual nutty bottom lack bite and compromise seasonal spicing.

Nebulous wintry retreat places thin metallic sheen above reticent brown sugared spices, slick crystal-caramel malting, and chalky cherry-raisin-fig wisp. Vegetal astringency saps tertiary tobacco, walnut, and Brazil nut illusions. Similarly bland 2010 version layered dried-out orange rind sourness above phenol cinnamon-coriander-nutmeg coarseness, abrupt brown-sugared Blackstrap molasses acridity, and mild chestnut-almond-hazelnut whim.

Indifferent traditional winter warmer regrettably lacks expectant seasonal spicing and sugared malt depth. Instead, spotty brown-sugared butterscotch dearth, withered dark fruit dankness, dour vegtal twinge, and barren nutmeg pinch repel scant mildewed herbal hop pop.

Treasured ruddy garnet winter warmer’s audible soda-like fizz and corresponding roasted hop compaction may prohibit initial full-bodied complexities, but ultimately, rich fig-dried sugar plum, rum raisin and cherry puree overtones saturate chewy vanilla-chocolate sweetness drifting through molasses-thick Scotch malt goo. Vinous red-wined port, burgundy and pinot noir souring confirms slow sipping intricacy. Anise, nutmeg, banana pudding and spiced pumpkin broach the surface. Fantastique!

Bold bourbon-barreled mahogany-hued seasonal may lack advertised elderberry influence, but smoked molasses malting,  Belgian-styled candied yeast, and restrained medicinal warmth pick up slack alongside compelling chocolate liqueur creaminess. Beneath, earthen peat saturates dry fig-date surge, black licorice splurge, and purple grape-wined swerve to resonant burgundy finish. Burnt toast murk coarsens latent fruitcake whim.

Musty sweet malt aroma, calm candied whiskey template, and elegant cereal grain backbone counter off-dry hop bittering. Lack of expectant seasonal herbs-spices lowers wintry resilience.

Dry-bodied, tiny-headed, oats-toasted light amber seasonal seems closer to defiant Pale Ale. Determined spice hop frontage and orange tang coat tongue before sugared malts overwhelm evasive chicory, nectar, and herbal hints.