The holidays are here again, and so is Emerald Isle Brew Works' Holiday Ale. This year this warming, murky brown brew is available cask-conditioned or on nitro-tap, but only on tap, not in bottles. I'm tasting a glass that was dispensed with nitro right now. As such, the head is incredibly thick and creamy. This is a spiced brew, and a very flavorful one indeed. As it slides down the tongue the first thing one notices are the strong citric notes from the orange peel used in the brew. They meld wonderfully with the rich, chocolatey malt body and lead into a peppery dance of ginger and cinnamon across the tongue in the finish. I can hear Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker Suite playing every time I take a sip. Magnificent!

And remember, try a new beer today, and drink outside the box.

*Pricing data accurate at time of review or latest update. For reference only, based on actual price paid by reviewer.

(B)=Bottled

(D)=Draft