Sweetwater Festive Ale - SweetWater Brewing Company

Brent

Kentucky

4/5  rDev +3.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Tops my list for "hardest bottle to open." My sample was a big bottle of '01, with a ceramic swing top stopper. The entire top, wire and all, had been dipped in red wax, like Maker's Mark bourbon, and was the hardest stuff I've run across. It took a pocket knife and chiseling to get it off. Fortunately, the beer was worth the effort, and you can be sure there was no oxidation.

Poured a walnut brown. Overall, it struck me as Anchor Our Special Ale's little brother. Nutty, mildly spiced - nutmeg and allspice, with a lively mouthfeel. A touch of carmel and maple syrup, but not too sweet.

Serving type: bottle

12-08-2002 20:21:23 | More by Brent

Gusler

Arizona

4.15/5  rDev +7.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

The beer pours a light hazy brown color, the head preposterous in size with a frothy consistency and the lace thick sheets that hold mightily to the glass. Sweet and spicy over ripe apples or plums can’t make up what little mind I have left, caramel, chocolate and lot of malt in this pleasing to the schnozzle beer. The outset is ambrosial, the top is middling in mouth feel, and the hops take a front seat in this beer, with a perky acidity and a droughty long lasting aftertaste. As I have said before Sweetwater and Dogwood, make some quite quaffable brews and well worth the hunt.

Serving type: bottle

12-05-2002 16:22:04 | More by Gusler

StevieW

Florida

4.5/5  rDev +16.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

12 oz bottle. Silver label with a big catfish jumping. "Festive Ale" block letters in green under the fish.

Deep and shiny black color, ruby hints. Foamy beige head, bubbles, then leaves a small lace down the glass. Color fades to a darker brown with ruby undertones as the beer sits.

Smell is a wonderful seasonal combination of nutmeg, cinnamon, and chocolate. Taste blends into a nice combination of the mentioned flavors. The nutmeg and cinnamon are very subtle, way in the background, but a positive presence. Medium sweet creamy chocolate malt then rides to the finish. A quick hop snap, leaves your palate dry and ready for another sip. The chocolate malt, medium carbonated, and full body make for a slightly sweet, yet, very balanced seasonal. Slight bitterness, but in no way stout like roasted flavors, instead very smooth, but noticable. Chocolate and cinnamon linger.

This seasonal is in the same class as the Anchor OSA. A rich hearty full flavored ale. Very flavorful, and noticable warming alcohol prescence. I am really impressed with this one, wish I had more. Cheers to Aracauna for the trade and bringing this one to our attention.

Serving type: bottle

12-02-2002 18:35:48 | More by StevieW

maccroz

Cambodia

3.95/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

A fantastic seasonal brew from one of my favorite breweries. Sweetwater festive ale has many nutty/nutmeggy notes to it. It reminds me of Christmas. Very very tasty. On the sweetwater tour they said "It doesn't take much to get you fucked up" as this beer sports a very strong alcohol content. Bonus... :)

Serving type: bottle

11-14-2002 16:08:48 | More by maccroz