Purchased under the US/English “Perculiar Yule” label at Hop City, Atlanta, GA, USA.
Pour gives a solid looking, chocolate based pour with a well formed, compact off-white head. A LOT of sediment is transfered on the first pour. Settles nicely.
Nose and tastes reveal what I would call a brown ale with spice. As usual the spices are difficult to pinpoint exactly, but certainly some all-spice and a touch of citrus peel/orange. Despite the obvious spice, the beer actually holds its own as a brown ale quite strongly. Malt backbone holds up nicely and the spices come in gentle waves rather than a massive assault – in that respet it is a relatively subtle beer.
Interesting, but obviously *very* seasonal and in that respect not a beer that will ever be much more than simply a one-off. Nevertheless tasty, enjoyable and nice addition to the Christmas table.