Christmas Ale 2016
Abita Brewing Co.

Christmas Ale 2016Christmas Ale 2016
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From:
Abita Brewing Co.
 
Louisiana, United States
Style:
American Amber / Red Ale
ABV:
5.5%
Score:
83
Avg:
3.64 | pDev: 9.34%
Reviews:
12
Ratings:
42
Status:
Retired
Rated:
Mar 22, 2019
Added:
Nov 23, 2016
Wants:
  2
Gots:
  14
Abita Christmas Ale (November - December) rounds out our calendar. Each year at the Abita Brewery we craft a special dark ale for the holiday season. The recipe changes each year so that Abita Christmas Ale is always the perfect gift. Its spicy character is excellent with traditional holiday foods such as gingerbread or spiced nuts. Try some blue cheese or a creamy Camembert with a Christmas Ale.

FIND CHRISTMAS ALE
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by andrew8626:
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Rated by andrew8626 from Minnesota

3.65/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

Jan 29, 2017
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 3.5 by Griffith from Connecticut

Mar 22, 2019
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Reviewed by MoreBeer4me from New Jersey

3/5  rDev -17.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Very disappointed in this beer labeled a "Christmas Ale". Would not buy again. Weak and odd taste for what is supposed to be a brown spiced ale. Look elsewhere.
Dec 08, 2018
 
Rated: 4 by GIftofgod4u1 from Louisiana

Nov 30, 2018
 
Rated: 4.3 by EricCFrantz from Louisiana

May 15, 2018
 
Rated: 3.46 by ScottyB515 from Ohio

Dec 18, 2017
 
Rated: 3.63 by skywizzard from Georgia

Dec 12, 2017
 
Rated: 3.26 by MeIquiades from Illinois

Nov 20, 2017
 
Rated: 3.25 by Scott_McCool from Florida

Nov 15, 2017
 
Rated: 3.64 by Khaack from New York

Oct 29, 2017
Photo of ArchimedesSox
Reviewed by ArchimedesSox from Georgia

4.04/5  rDev +11%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
A: Dark copper color, 1 inch khaki colored head, good lacing

S: Caramel, spice, citrus hops

T: I get sweet caramely malts, almost chocolatey, the bitterness of the citrus hops comes in next the aftertaste is a mixture of resiny hop residue and caramley malty sweetness.

M: Medium

O: I love this brew for the winter time. I am just getting around to reviewing it in April but I remember in December it was one of my favorites.
Apr 11, 2017
 
Rated: 3.89 by mrosenfeld32 from Pennsylvania

Mar 12, 2017
Photo of Tone
Reviewed by Tone from Missouri

4.27/5  rDev +17.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Pours a clear copper color. 1/2 inch head of an off-white color. Great retention and great lacing. Smells of strong spicy hops, slight piney hops, sweet malt, hint of caramel malt, hint of alcohol, and a hint of tea. Fits the style of an American Amber / Red Ale. Mouth feel is smooth and clean, with an average carbonation level. Tastes of roasted malt, slight sage, slight Garam Marsala, hint of cardamon, and slight caramel malt. Overall, great appearance, such a dichotomy in body and aroma, both quite good in their own way.
Feb 24, 2017
Photo of chrishiker1409
Reviewed by chrishiker1409 from New York

4.09/5  rDev +12.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
L: Pours a dark amber with a finger of tan white head.

S: Some citrus, caramel, nuts

T: Toasty caramel malts.

F: Medium body, moderate carbonation.

O: A real nice brew. By the aroma, I thought it may have been an IPA.. But the look and taste confirm it's a very well done Amber.
Feb 06, 2017
Photo of GreatHammerhead
Reviewed by GreatHammerhead from Pennsylvania

3.89/5  rDev +6.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Presentation: 12 oz bottle stamped"Best by 03/05/17", poured into a pint glass.

Look: A dark copper coloration with a two finger off-white head. Head has plenty of staying power.

Smell: Crisp citrus notes give this beer a bright and cheerful nose.

Taste: Malts up front followed by well balanced hops. Low bitterness overall. I didn't detect any spices.

Feel: Light mouthfeel without being watery and light carbonation. Crisp, refreshing and easy drinking.

Overall: A very solid red ale. Not typically what I would call a Christmas ale, I would consider it to be a very good session red ale. Solid nonetheless.
Jan 17, 2017
 
Rated: 3 by Karibourgeois from Texas

Jan 07, 2017
Photo of NeroFiddled
Reviewed by NeroFiddled from Pennsylvania

3.96/5  rDev +8.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Abita Brewing Co. "Christmas Ale"
12 fl. oz. brown glass bottle, "BEST BY 02/28/17" and sampled on 12/30/16
$2 @ Weis Market, Conshohocken, PA

As Abita changes their Christmas ale each year I'm curious as to what it's like. Let's see... pours a slightly hazy deep amber almost russet brown body with a crimson cast beneath an impressive head of rocky yellowed khaki foam. The head retention and lacing are quite good! - off to a good start. There's not a lot in the aroma, nor is it bold. It's mainly caramelish and gently toasty malt although there is a subtle fruitiness and a light touch of spice. Will it be spicier in the flavor? No, it's actually fairly light. It's initially toasty, caramelish, fruity, and then biscuity and nutty (maybe even slightly cocoa-ish) across the middle as the spices begin to rise, but they never really become anything more than an accent. I'm not even sure what's in there as the spicing remains fairly generic (with the exception of cinnamon which becomes apparent towards the end of the glass). Not that that's a bad thing! There's just enough to let you know it's there and give it 'a taste of the season' without hurting its drinkability as far as secondary serving goes. A low level bitterness balances it in the finish, along with the spice and a light touch of what seem like subtly piney hops. To finish things out, the body is medium-light and it's smooth with a moderate, fine-bubbled carbonation; both of which keep in line with its overall moderate character, leaving it well-blanaced and surprisingly drinkable.
Dec 30, 2016
 
Rated: 3.5 by archero from Texas

Dec 30, 2016
 
Rated: 3.08 by justintcoons from Pennsylvania

Dec 27, 2016
 
Rated: 3.87 by Branlott42 from Missouri

Dec 26, 2016
Christmas Ale 2016 from Abita Brewing Co.
Beer rating: 83 out of 100 with 42 ratings