Christmas Ale
Starr Hill Brewery

Christmas may have passed but when I saw this at the Food Lion in Lovingston, Virginia, I had to pick it up and give it a go. Who doesn't love a good Winter Warmer, especially on a cold January day? This fit the bill perfectly as it was just flavorful, spicy, and strong enough to hold me in without knocking me over!

This had a lovely, nut brown hue to it with just a bit of light seeping through to keep it lively. Enough tan head topped it off as the lacing left behind was in well-defined soapy layers the easily bled down to the next. Loads of orange peel, cinnamon, nutmeg, and malt in the nose as the taste was as delightful. Lightly hopped, full-bodied, and balanced, the citrus gave it a bit of slickness that kept this fun and readily enjoyable.

While not quite a true example of the style, this was nicely done and readily warmed me up. Canned on 11/3 with "XMAS ALE" written above it, this was dangerously drinkable as the alcohol was present, but not as strong as what was listed. This like a pumpkin pie or fruitcake but even better, as you'll want seconds upon finishing this off. More importantly, this was a great winter break from all of the heavier offerings that are out this time of year. Glad to have come across this!

Hazed brown. Big spiced aroma and flavor; mostly nutmeg. Decent balance but maybe a tad too spiced. Light to medium bodied with a warming spiced finish.

12 oz can dated 11/3/25

Clear copper color, one finger tan head; partial lacing and surface continents.
Cinnamon, cloves, gingerbread aromas.
Cinnamon, orange peel, light nutty flavors.
Roasty, light hop bitter mouthfeel, dry finish. Drinks lighter than the 7% ABV. More like a spiced brown ale than a winter warmer, but a good holiday ale.

Poured from a 12 ounce can dated 10/14/2024 into a Willi Becher pint glass.
L - Pours a dark amber, almost cola color, with a slight tan head that dissipates quickly.
S - Smells of holiday spices.
T - Tastes of holiday spices.
F - Medium body and carbonation on the lighter side.
O - Tasty Christmas Ale.

 

 

 

From the can, it pours a dark brown with reddish notes and a modest head that soon diminishes to nothing. The nose gets Christmas spices and a bit of roasted malts. The mouth follows with a spiciness and touch of bitterness. Medium mouth feel to me.

Style not supplied on brewery site, added as a winter warmer but could perhaps go under spiced beer.

A clear medium to dark brown with a dense head and lacing while the head remains atop the beer, more muted as the top forms a collar atop the body. Nose is of winter spice - clove and nutmeg, with a bit of spruce and pine as well. The edges have a little bit of orange zest and nuttiness. Taste is a little more of a straightforward brown ale with a little bit of bitterness that brings to mind a darker version of an ESB. The spice is present, but plays at the edges of the palate versus attacking it head on. As I sip, the malt starts to present itself with some nuttiness and even a few shavings of baker's chocolate, with the spice sneakily adding an ever so slight numbing effect in the finish.

The aroma puts the whole house at the holidays directly in your nose, while the taste is centered around the Christmas tree. A nice, medium dry holiday beer that comes to me as sort of straddling a few styles (including an American brown ale), but one I am happy to be sipping this late fall.