Marin Hoppy Holidaze

Aroma: 6 | Appearance: 8 | Mouthfeel: 6 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 7

My friend cracked this open at his house last night to start off a night of beer tasting. My first reaction was that I smelled it more that I tasted it. Then the aftertaste held all the cinnamon and nutmeg. After a few more sips, It all started to congeal better. Pours a bright orange with a sudsy head. Tastes like a mild IPA with some spices in it. Then I started to notice some sweet cottoncandy-like flavors that offset the nutmeg. A very unique and different beer. I would look for this again.

Aroma: 6 | Appearance: 6 | Mouthfeel: 5 | Flavor: 6 | Overall: 6

i had this beer in 2006 and 2007, and it slightly misses the mark for me. the spices and hop flavor just didn't come together. not bad at all, but nothing special.

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 6 | Mouthfeel: 6 | Flavor: 6 | Overall: 6

2006 release, Sampled December 2007
Very well carbonated as a careful pour produces a four-finger thick, light tan colored head that sits a top a brilliantly clear amber hued beer that is just filled with excessive carbonation bubbles. Aromas of spices dominate the nose; nutmeg is the most persistent, but a backdrop of cinnamon is also noticed. Not much else is noticeable in the aroma, though there is perhaps a touch of herbal hop character here.

Lightly sweet, yet with a sharpness that is a combination of spice notes as well as a slight sourness. Dusty nutmeg flavors and flavors of muted cinnamon turn a bit astringent and almost woody as one gets towards the finish. Fairly light, especially for a 7% alcohol beer, this would definitely be an easily quaffed beer if not for the excessive spice notes. Some fruit flavors are noticeable under the spices, with touches of apples and perhaps a hint of pear flavors. Hop flavors add some bitterness as well as some herbal notes that become muddled together with the more powerful spice notes.

This is not a bad beer, it is just not my cup of tea. Too spice dominated, even after a year of age.

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 9 | Flavor: 9 | Overall: 8

A very nice beer. Not what I would consider to be a normal winter brew. It does have nice cinnamon and nutmeg flavor that very nice. Overall its a nice ale with good hoppy flavoring. Pooring is carmel brown.

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 8 | Mouthfeel: 8 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 8

~ Initial Review, 11-04-2003 (2003 Bottling):
I wasn't overly impressed by the 2001 version of this Northern California seasonal offering..., and never got around to picking up the 2002..., but this years batch is pretty tasty. Despite it's hoppy name, this isn't all that bitter. In fact, holiday spice for the most part dominates, with the cinnamon, nutmeg, orange, and vanilla over-riding the Magnum and Styrians. I have always been impressed with Marin Brewing Company's beers, and this one is a winner, too.

~ Re-Review, 11-30-2004 (2004 Bottling):
My latest revisitation of this beer, and again a winner in my book. Very appealing -- strikes me as something of a hybrid English Bitter & Belgian Pale..., with some esoteric spices tossed in for good effect. Nice to find a Winter Seasonal that doesn't fall into the same ol' rut that so many other winter/holiday beers do (i.e. big and dark and bold and spicy and so-on). Recommended.
//TB

Aroma: 10 | Appearance: 8 | Mouthfeel: 8 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 8

Medium gold/copper color. Small head. Aroma is fruity, mango and apricot, A medium bodied Christmas ale. Brewed with Pale, wheat, caramel, and Munich malts. Hopped with Magnum and Styrian golding varieties. Spiced with cinnamon, nutmeg, mace, orange peel and vanilla extract. That said this ale has a slightly sweet maltyness. Hops are evident but not overpowering. There is a definite fruitiness and spiciness to this beer. Orange, grapefruit and nutmeg and cinnamon. The vanilla is not very evident. Smooth taste. Kind of warming. Mouthfeel is full and round. Finish is clean and smooth/ Aftertaste is slightly bitter, Not much of an alcohol bite at 7.5%. Etched/Painted beer bottle.

Aroma: 7 | Appearance: 6 | Mouthfeel: 5 | Flavor: 4 | Overall: 5

Orange color with a thin body and little lacing. Served too cold. Almost no aroma until I let it warm up a while and it became citrus. Weak spicy flavor and a little hoppy. I checked their site and was surprised to see that it won a gold medal at the GABF... in 1990 and 91! They say it's their christmas beer, but it seemed more like a pale ale to me!