I don't like spice beers. Very marked spice flavors which are themselves quite enjoyable and interesting. Sadly, the way they combine with (and boost) the bitterness of the beer ruins it for me. I prefer the smell of this one to the Great Lake Christmas beer.

Darker than the Great Lakes, with a more overt spice smell. The flavors were closer, with the same kind of amber lager notes and Belgian-esque holiday spices. I thought there was less dampness to the flavor, but also less cereal, which made the beer feel a little more hollow and less complex. I think this one is the slight loser.

I can't even pretend to rate this. It was basically tasteless after six high gravity beers. This one had slightly more coffee and roast to it, though.