BEER REVIEW TIME! Today we will be discussing Sweetwater Brewing Company's Festive Ale. I wrote this review on 15 Dec 2012... apologies for the late posting. I picked up this sixer of beer the first day I got into town to visit my family for Christmas in Birmingham, AL this year. I'm always excited to get as much local or local-esque beer as I can wherever I travel, and particulary when I travel to Birmingham because... well, let's be honest. Alabama isn't exactly known for its progressive politics, and if I can't get my hands on good politics in this state, I'd like to at least get my hands on some good beer. The six pack tells me that the Festive Ale is brewed only one day a year, and that it combines a "touch of spice with a s#/@!load sleigh load of malts and hops" to keep you warm and toasted all night long. SOLD! Love ltd edition beer, love spices. Unfortunately, I was rather let down with all build up...
Appearance: Nice, dark brown. Glimmer of medium caramel in bottom of glass when held to the light. Small head dissipates quickly after pouring. (*cough*) 4/5.
Smell: Not gonna lie, this has a strange smell. Heavy on the molasses, caramel, and malts. There is something off about the smell and I can't figure out what it is. I don't pick up the scent of any spices, and the label doesn't list which spices were used in the brew to begin with so I don't actually know what I"m even searching for. 3/5.
Taste:Taste is off, too. Honestly, this tastes like a homebrew that got some unwanted wild yeast in it and then kind of soured. I don't taste any spice. Picking up the heavy malts/molasses in the taste as I did in the smell. Lighter, less robuts taste than I might expect from a winter ale. Oddly, hints of smokiness. 2/5
Mouthfeel:Eh. Mouthfeel is weak. Needs more carbonation. 3/5
Drinkability:I'm finishing this pint of beer because I don't pour beer down the drain. I wouldn't buy this again. 2/5
Overall this was uninspiring. DAMMIT, ATLANTA. I expected more from you. I have yet to try your 420 beer, though. Maybe you can make this up to me... -Mary Mac