Dry fruited prune-fig souring and roasted chestnut dirge override tepid hop bittering. Astringent finish reminiscent of dimmer copper ales, lacking expected holiday seasoning.

Less interesting 2009 version falters early. Funky fertilizer-wafted reddish-browned winter ale lacks seasonal floral spicing and persuasive grain-malt blend. Reserved barley-roasted nuttiness dissolves into tepid caramel chocolate finish. Major disappointment from an otherwise great brewer.

“Rich and dark like a dobbel,” spicier than a copper ale, but nowhere near as potent as Affligem Tripel. Buttery, ginger-snapped, hop-fizzed holiday treat crowds wispy cobwebs of spongy lace above heartwarming medicinal center aiding earthen wheat-dried red grape musk and latent prune-ripened gunk. ’07 version brought creamier caramel malting and bruised orange-cherry vigor to brandy-soaked Chardonnay sumptuousness.

Apathetic maroon-hued 9% alcohol flop could use better wintry seasonal spicing and more peppery hop pizzazz. Dark fruity dalliance fades desperately to pecan, cola nut, and grape nut modesty yielding bland pumpernickel spec. Numbed sugarplum-raisin snippet leaves feeble imprint.

Commendable limited edition green-bottled ’07 X-Mas treat boasts ‘curacao orange peel and thyme’ influence, but benefits better from chewy caramel creaminess, bittersweet raisin-prune ripeness, and red-wined grape tannins. Molasses-like brown-sugared vanilla sweetness drapes bounteous dried fruit finish.

Muddled herbal-spiced peculiarity is mild winter ale best served warm. Advertised orange-peeled star anise, clove, cardamom, coriander, and juniper potpourri lacks prominence, overshooting intended target by wide margin. Instead, cinnamon-spiced chocolate sweetness vaults port-brandy warmth of misguided prune-hued elixir. When chilled, honeyed restraint softens cloy root beer/ black licorice jot.

Not at all typical of spicy winter ales since nutmeg, cinnamon, and coriander don’t jump out at you. Nevertheless, refreshing chocolate mint aromatics welcomes well balanced honey-dipped maple-malted hop-fueled Brit.

Earthen-grained auburn seasonal placates distant nutmeg spiciness with sticky caramel-sugared Scotch sweetness, countering sour-fruited malting. Woody backdrop stimulates plum-fig-apricot haste.

Definite nutmeg influence just right for Christmas. Spicy sienna-hued peculiarity features well-balanced orange peel overtones, dried fruit tartness, and cinnamon-clove seasoning. Rich barley base takes in minor citrus-y notes. Fully realized Holiday Ale perfect for dessert. Brewery defunct: 2001.

Non-traditional penny-coppered seasonal deepens persuasive dry-spiced Scotch malt richness, dewy tea-like resonance and resinous spruce-maple sappiness with mildly embittered hop char. Aromatic wheat wafer surge increases caramel sweetness, putting this closer to toasted lager than winter-spiced ale. Tapped version, 2011, confirmed toasted malting, but drier fig-date spicing and sweeter marzipan reminder felt.

Divergent tawny seasonal perks chewy caramel-butterscotch reliance with harvested spruce tips, mild chestnut-pine wood tones, and insurgent floral hops, abandoning predictable cinnamon-nutmeg wintering for heavily alcoholic dessert warmth. Complexities abound when syrupy flow turns bubble-gummy at thawed finish.

Tawny winter warmer luring orange-peach-grapefruit tang, plum-cherry dash, and honeyed tea linger to eloquent floral backdrop. Cinnamon-nutmeg-coriander spicing tucked inside citric glaze.