Another Anderson Valley beer bottles normally have a picture of bears with antlers. I guess the bear could be seen as a Christmas bear dressed like a reindeer. The bottle also has a paragraph about getting out winter cloths and drinking beers to keep you warm. I think a beer to keep you warm is a good approach to Christmas / Winter beers.
This beer has a spicy smell, but it's a hop spice not a winter spice. It's a good smell with fruity notes. The color is a medium brown that is clear except for all the bubbles. Tons of bubbles are floating up from the bottom making the beer look a little like champagne. The head is just thick enough to keep the top covered but it is long lasting thanks to the flow of bubbles.
For the hoppy smell the taste is very malty. The taste is sweet like caramel and cherries, balanced against the malty toast flavors. There is a little buttery diacetyl taste and slick roof of the mouth flavor left behind. The finish is a but bitter, but I think it's from the amount of grain being used and the not hops. I am really supprised the hops smell isn't present in the taste.
This is an ok beer. I was excited for lots of hops from the smell, and ended up with more malt, I really like my hops. I think this is an acceptable example of a Christmas / Winter beer, it's malty and rich with a bit extra alcohol.
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