Christmas Cheer
San Francisco Brewing Company

 

Sampled from the source on 1/25/09, reviewed from notes, color is a dark mahogany with more red than brown, small 1/2 inch off white creamy head that disappears quickly, no lacing, aroma is made up of cinnamon, other light spices, sage, plums, and sweetness, flavor was both too sweet and spicy, quite overpowering and especially once it warmed, berries and malt dominate the flavor by the end, this had very little balance, mouthfeel was a bit thick and did not have enough carbonation, slightly hot, sweet, spicy, and pungent mouthfeel, taste lingered too long, could not drink much of this at all, heavy on the stomach, same taste over and over again, would not drink again if I went back, not recommended

At the brewpub in downtown San Fransisco. A rich, red-brown colour with a tan head that shoed decent retention and gave up a little lace. Dark fruit aroma teamed up with rum soaked dates, cinnamon and nutmeg. Sweet, malty flavours, with notes of chocolate, and the alcohol evident, along with a decent helping of cinnamon, which isn't surprising for a winter warmer. Very smooth on the palate with a slick mouthfeel and very restrained carbonation, which I thought worked well.

This is a good winter seasonal, but after flying in from somewhere with a lot of snow to mild California, it seemed out of place!