12oz stubbie, the usual Abita and Christmas presentation. Single from Mac’s, Atlanta, GA, USA. Best Before 05/01/2010 on the neck.

Pour is an attractive copper body with some nice white head that shows decent retention and some sticky lace. Good clarity. Looks nice.

Nice malty nose with a hint of hops.

Quite dry in the finish despite the obvious malts up front. There is something distinct about Abita beers and I’m not sure if it’s a particular yeast strain or hop profile but it seems to cut across a number of their beers.

Plenty of light nut notes followed by a controlled hop bitterness that adds the dry finish. Bitterness lingers somewhat with some metallic character. There is almost a fresh, organic, grassy, wet hop note in there too.

As usual, nothing earth shattering here but a decent example of the style and quite drinkable. This really is not a “Christmas” ale by many measures but still drinkable and enjoyable.