CHRISTMAS ALE ~ SHEPHERD NEAME

7% from Faversham, Kent, England
Sheperd Neame is one of England’s oldest brewery. Christmas Ale is their seasonal release and is a winter ale. Sampled from a bottle, the beer poured a clear copper-orange with an average creamy head, which reduced to a cap and left decent lacing. Lots of carbonation was apparent. The nose had notes of Christmas cake, fruity esters and dark fruit, caramel and brown sugar, a touch of spice and earthy floral hops. The taste is quite sweet with fruity and caramel notes, spice and earthy hops. The finish has a sweetness balanced with the earthy hops. Body is medium but the mouthfeel is little thin. The carbonation is active. I thought this was a very pleasant Christmas Ale, not to much of anything and nicely balanced.
Malts: Pale and Crystal malts
Hops: Goldings (aroma), Target, Challenger (bittering hops)