Pelican Pub & Brewery's Bad Santa CDA

    
     The Bad Santa pours a very dark amber color.  Easily looks black without some good lighting.  About a finger of mostly-fizzy tan head.  Aroma is a smokey pine with some noticeable alcohol.  Has an earthy/wood character.  Some strong caramel malt with almost a licorice and raisin quality.  Aroma is heavy and hits the nose pretty hard.
     Hits the tongue dry with a burnt/charcoal flavor.  Evolves into a very subtle caramel.  Finished with a sharp alcohol bitterness and some herbal hops.  Light body and strong carbonation.

Lagunitas Brewing Co.'s Cappuccino Stout

    
     Pours a very dark brown with about a finger of light brown head.  Drained quickly but retained a nice skim.  Not getting a ton of coffee in the aroma, which is surprising since it tends to dominate in these styles. Definitely has that roastiness, though, and some rich chocolate.  Little burnt.  Sweet malt.  Herbal and maybe just a little smokey.  Alcohol is evident, but definitely not overwhelming for 9.2%.
     Has a very sharp roast with almost an astringent quality.  Toasty malt with just a hint of anise.  Finished out a bit smokey with a strong alcohol flavor and burn.  Alcohol tends to linger in the mouth for a bit.  The body is very similar to coffee in that it has a bit of a grainy texture.  It really is quite unlike any other beer body I've experienced. 
 

Gigantic Brewing Company's Black Friday Imperial CDA

    
     Pours a solid black with a good finger of light brown head.  Drained to a nice skim and appears to have a strong carbonation.  Aroma is dominated by wood, pine, and roast.  Has a bit of that smokey herbal character I notice a lot with Simcoe hops.  Toasty malt. 
     Surprisingly smooth for an imperial CDA.  Lots of the flavor seems to linger in the aftertaste.  Hits the tongue a little sweet and roasty.  Finishes with a subtle pine flavor and little alcohol.  Herbal character all around. Not too bitter.  Wood in the aftertaste.  Thin body with a decent carbonation.