The nose this ale brings to the winter ale table is super delicious. Imagine the many sweet aromas you could inhale stood in the middle of a Victorian kitchen while a thousand winter desserts baked quietly in the ovens around you - that's what this beer smells like. On the palate this 2009 vintage (Anchor changes the recipe of this ale every year) is a mouthwatering avalanche of morish bitter and cozy 'holiday' flavors. The finish is dark, firm, direct, but as smooth as a freshly frozen lake. I cannot recommend this 2009 incarnation highly enough. This is to be tried by everyone.