Today’s pick comes from SweetWater Brewing in Atlanta, Georgia: Festive Ale. SweetWater has been brewing since the late 90s and each year produces this 8.5% ABV spiced Winter Warmer.

Winter Coat Season – A strong ale brewed with generous amounts of rich malt, coupled with a taint of cinnamon and mace to keep you warm and toasted all winter long. We Double Dog Dare You.

Festive Ale pours a dark, ruby-brown hue and along with spices offers hints of smoke, dark fruits, and sweet, nutty malt flavors. For me this brings to mind a holiday fruitcake—the proper kind with real dried fruits and soaked in brandy, not the candied bricks that get re-gifted year after year.

BeerAdvocate: B+. RateBeer: 3.51/5, 94th percentile.