The Beer Advent Calendar 2012 - December 21st

Today was my last full day in work before Christmas, actually it was my last full day in work this calendar year.  I'm not as thrilled about it as I expected. What I am looking forward to is catching up on lots of sleep over Christmas.

Shepherd Neame - Christmas Ale
Another traditional English brewer appears in the calendar, this one is significantly better than Uncle Scrooge.  My flatmate got special-drunk off this beer on tap last Christmas, it's quite a hefty 7% so I can see why. 
It's quite interesting, if nothing else it's strength makes it a more festive beer than the usual "shipped out" standard Christmas ales.

Looks - Brilliant clarity for a beer this strong, I usually expect it hazy when the ABV creeps up.  Nice tone of deep amber.
Smells - Quite sweet, almost like a dessert - only with hops and malts.  It's actually like a meaty Fursty Ferret (this sentence makes very little sense unless you're familiar with that beer).
Taste - Hints of spice, some rich fruit tastes as well nice long warm finish.

Pretty damn tasty, gone straight to my head.

8/10

I wrote this song whilst listening to an odd combination of heavy metal.  Cathedral, Carcass, Megadeth, Alcest...ah back in the day I was the only guy in school with long hair...