Holiday Ale
New Belgium Brewing Company

Holiday AleHoliday Ale
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From:
New Belgium Brewing Company
 
Colorado, United States
Style:
Winter Warmer
Ranked #57
ABV:
7.5%
Score:
86
Ranked #19,302
Avg:
3.81 | pDev: 13.39%
Reviews:
40
Ratings:
95
Status:
Active
Rated:
Mar 15, 2024
Added:
Nov 03, 2022
Wants:
  2
Gots:
  7
'Tis the season for flavors of cranberry and orange, cinnamon and spice, for everyone naughty and nice!
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by EdFed:
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Rated by EdFed from Illinois

3.85/5  rDev +1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

Dec 16, 2022
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 5 by Zachboyd3334 from Indiana

Mar 15, 2024
Photo of adamg39
Reviewed by adamg39 from Ohio

4.48/5  rDev +17.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Probably my favorite Winter warmer. The cranberry flavor is actually a nice addition to a solid base ale. Unfortunately, my part of the country doesn't seem to have a lot of good flavored ales available anymore, so this Winter seasonal ale is a holiday treat.
Mar 14, 2024
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Reviewed by BuxMontBeerLover from Pennsylvania

3.94/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pours a copper red color with an aggressive, one and a half finger, puffy beige head on the initial pour. Semi-translucent but mostly clear. Nice lacing left on the goblet during the session.

A distinct cinnamon aroma.

Delicious flavors of cinnamon , malts and sweet cranberry. A mild bitterness after each sip. The ABV is not noticeable.

Thinner consistency with medium carbonation.

A very nice brew. Very “holidayish” taste with the cinnamon and cranberry, like a warm spiced drink by the fire. Enjoyed in February but reminds me of Thanksgiving or Christmas…cheers!
Feb 04, 2024
 
Rated: 4.02 by Mesaboog from Colorado

Feb 01, 2024
 
Rated: 3.67 by Knapp85 from Pennsylvania

Jan 26, 2024
 
Rated: 4.04 by farmboy21 from Illinois

Jan 12, 2024
Photo of DavetotheB
Reviewed by DavetotheB from Pennsylvania

3.52/5  rDev -7.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
From a 12oz can dated (best by) 14 APR 2024 into a pint glass.

Pours a ever so slightly hazy very dark copper color with about two fingers of tan head. Decent retention and nice lacing.

Smells or dark fruit (I can see cranberries as the can says) and spice-cinnamon, nutmeg, maybe some ginger. Aromas really open up on warming but almost smells like coca-cola.

More cinnamon and spice on the taste. Maybe some sweet fruit in the background. Luckily the coca-cola vibe all but disappears. Flavors are a bit muddled on warming.

Medium-bodied, crisp mouthfeel with a dry finish. Medium to high carbonation. Spicy aftertaste.

This started out pretty good, but faded fast. Nice enough brew for the season though.
Dec 29, 2023
 
Rated: 3.9 by kds2437 from Texas

Dec 25, 2023
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Reviewed by WoodBrew from Ohio

3.74/5  rDev -1.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
I got a 6pck of cans of this beer from my local meijer store. It poured a clear amber with ecru head that is leaving some lace. The scent had cranberry notes. The taste was nicely balanced and easy to drink with holiday spice malt base with cranberry, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg presence. The mouthfeel was medium in body and had good carbonation. Overall it is a great beer.
Dec 22, 2023
 
Rated: 4.5 by Mac_Cheesin from Maryland

Dec 22, 2023
 
Rated: 3.44 by arini10 from Oregon

Dec 20, 2023
 
Rated: 3.9 by Curt3 from Ohio

Dec 20, 2023
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Reviewed by dcscientist from Colorado

4.1/5  rDev +7.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
I enjoyed this winter warmer, which has a bit more fruit flavor than similar beers of the style, as accurately advertised by the beer's description on the label. I got the cranberry taste for sure, as well as a little bit of orange along with a good bit of the spices. This is a touch heavy for a winter warmer, but hey, it's cold outside. Basically this beer is a fruitcake in a can.
Dec 18, 2023
Photo of TheBricenator
Reviewed by TheBricenator from Oregon

4.13/5  rDev +8.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Look: Pours a reddish-brown and quickly forming a hefty khaki head that holds well and slowly recedes, leaving sheets of lacing behind
Aroma: Cinnamon, nutmeg, light clove, allspice, freshly baked brown bread, cranberry, cardamom(?), piloncillo, and light earthy notes
Taste: Cranberries and spice notes come together on the first sip and quickly joined by layers upon layers of rich, bready malt. Some sweet malt and piloncillo emerge with some light earthy presence before the cranberry/spice/bread combo returns to close it out. This drinks like a beer version of a spiced cranberry fruitcake
Mouthfeel: Full, smooth, medium-high carbonation, and smooth and soft on the finish
Overall: This is one delicious beer. A new one for me and one I didn’t even know was made so it was a cool surprise gift from my co-worker (thanks Caitlin!) and it delivered nicely. A really tasty combo of bready malt, spices, and cranberries and one where each component shined on its own as well as in the overall mix and where no distinct part overwhelms the others nor the general feel of the beer. Literally a spiced cranberry fruitcake in a can! Recommended
Dec 17, 2023
Photo of barknee
Reviewed by barknee from New York

3.67/5  rDev -3.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.75
Poors a Burnt Umber color, (remember that Crayola crayon color?)
Nose of chocolate malt with a smidgen of foamy head. Mouthfeel is thin and doesn't accentuate the slight sweetness that abounds, which is a good thing. Just slightly tart from the cranberry flavor, a touch of cinnamon, dark honey, roasted nuts, and finishes with a soft chocolate aftertaste. Well balanced and quite unique actually and is definitely worthy of sampling if you enjoy malt forward brews.
Dec 16, 2023
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Reviewed by jkblr from Indiana

3.52/5  rDev -7.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
12oz can undated can poured into a tulip glass at fridge temp 7.5% ABV. The beer pours bright dark amber with light brown head. The head recedes to a uneven ring and a few scattered bubbles. Spotty lacing. The aroma is mild with cranberry and spice. The taste is semisweet toasted malt mixed with cranberry juice before the apple pie spices take over. Mouthfeel is thin to medium bodied with average carbonation and a mostly dry finish. Overall, not my thing.
Dec 15, 2023
 
Rated: 3.9 by Thanatosbat777 from Georgia

Dec 15, 2023
 
Rated: 3.99 by Overtonjd from New Jersey

Dec 10, 2023
 
Rated: 3.54 by funku2 from Colorado

Dec 10, 2023
Holiday Ale from New Belgium Brewing Company
Beer rating: 86 out of 100 with 95 ratings