Virtual Craft Beer Tasting Club » Discussions

Winter Warmer & Winter Seasonal Ale Tasting Dec 4-11 2011

• Mark

  

  Leader
   

  December 4, 2011

  We are going to start a little early this month and make the tasting last a whole week instead of just a weekend so beginning today through next Sunday (December 11th) please post your reviews for Winter Warmers, Winter Seasonal Ales & Holiday Ales. Feel free to drink whatever you have handy or can get locally. Some choices include (but are not limited to); Harpoon Winter Warmer, New Belgium Snow Day Winter Ale, Red Brick Old Stock, Brooklyn Winter Ale, Ommegang Adoration Special Winter Ale, Heavy Seas Winter Storm Category 5 Ale, Nøgne Ø Winter Ale, Bell’s Hell Hath No Fury, Samuel Smith Winter Welcome & Great Divide Hibernation. Happy drinking!

  We are going to start a little early this month and make the tasting last a whole week instead of just a weekend so beginning today through next Sunday (December 11th) please post your reviews for Winter Warmers, Winter Seasonal Ales & Holiday Ales. Feel free to drink whatever you have handy or can get locally. Some choices include (but are not limited to); Harpoon Winter Warmer, New Belgium Snow Day Winter Ale, Red Brick Old Stock, Brooklyn Winter Ale, Ommegang Adoration Special Winter Ale, Heavy Seas Winter Storm Category 5 Ale, Nøgne Ø Winter Ale, Bell’s Hell Hath No Fury, Samuel Smith Winter Welcome & Great Divide Hibernation. Happy drinking!
• HEISCHMAN

  

  Member
   

  December 4, 2011

  So anything that we can only get in the winter months right?
  

  So anything that we can only get in the winter months right?
• Mark

  

  Leader
   

  December 4, 2011

  Yes, anything that is typically seasonal to the winter months.

  Yes, anything that is typically seasonal to the winter months.
• KajII

  

  Member
   

  December 4, 2011

  He wanted the link and did not even post here, See he does not play fair!!
  
  I am taking my BEER and going home, so there. LOL

  He wanted the link and did not even post here, See he does not play fair!! I am taking my BEER and going home, so there. LOL
• Mark

  

  Leader
   

  December 4, 2011

  New Belgium Snow Day Winter Ale
  New Belgium Brewing Company, Fort Collins, Colorado
  12 ounce bottle
  
  The Snow Day Winter Ale from New Belgium in Fort Collins, Colorado pours out a dark brown in color with a monster head a top it that takes a while to recede to a film. On the nose aromas of caramel, pine and citrus - very inviting. In the mouth you get the caramel sweetness first but it is counterbalanced by a good amount of citrus hops and a little spice. Medium bodied. Moderate carbonation. Some lacing on the glass. Slight stickiness to the mouthfeel but it is pretty clean. A touch of pine adds into a flavorful finish.
  
  A good winter ale that I would be happy to buy again.

  New Belgium Snow Day Winter Ale New Belgium Brewing Company, Fort Collins, Colorado 12 ounce bottle The Snow Day Winter Ale from New Belgium in Fort Collins, Colorado pours out a dark brown in color with a monster head a top it that takes a while to recede to a film. On the nose aromas of caramel, pine and citrus - very inviting. In the mouth you get the caramel sweetness first but it is counterbalanced by a good amount of citrus hops and a little spice. Medium bodied. Moderate carbonation. Some lacing on the glass. Slight stickiness to the mouthfeel but it is pretty clean. A touch of pine adds into a flavorful finish. A good winter ale that I would be happy to buy again.
• Mark

  

  Leader
   

  December 4, 2011

  Great Divide Hibernation Ale
  Great Divide Brewing Company, Denver, Colorado
  12 ounce bottle
  
  The Hibernation Ale from Great Divide Brewing Company in Denver, Colorado pours out a teak brown in color with some light getting through showing off lovely amber hues topped with a one finger, warm tan head that slowly recedes. Nice toffee notes on the nose with a good dose of spicy hops. In the mouth, this comes at you with a good toffee sweetness followed by a big hop flavor that really gives it a good kick. Some chocolate and dark fruits intermingle. Just over medium bodied. Moderate carbonation. Nice lacing on the glass. Sticky mouthfeel that gets cleaned up a little on the long finish that really makes you want more.
  
  This winter ale is packed with flavor and really pleases the mouth. A treat to drink and well worth buying.

  Great Divide Hibernation Ale Great Divide Brewing Company, Denver, Colorado 12 ounce bottle The Hibernation Ale from Great Divide Brewing Company in Denver, Colorado pours out a teak brown in color with some light getting through showing off lovely amber hues topped with a one finger, warm tan head that slowly recedes. Nice toffee notes on the nose with a good dose of spicy hops. In the mouth, this comes at you with a good toffee sweetness followed by a big hop flavor that really gives it a good kick. Some chocolate and dark fruits intermingle. Just over medium bodied. Moderate carbonation. Nice lacing on the glass. Sticky mouthfeel that gets cleaned up a little on the long finish that really makes you want more. This winter ale is packed with flavor and really pleases the mouth. A treat to drink and well worth buying.
• Mark

  

  Leader
   

  December 4, 2011

  Full Sail 2011 Wreck The Halls Brewmaster Reserve Series
  Full Sail Brewing, Hood River, Oregon
  22 ounce bottle, ABV 6.5%, IBU 68, Best by 02-02-2012
  
  The 2011 Wreck The Halls Brewmaster Reserve Series is an American IPA & Winter Warmer hybrid brew. This beer pours out a golden brown in color with some coppery tints, a little cloud and is topped with a two finger, off-white, tightly knit head. Aromas of citrus and caramel on the nose with a hint of pine. Big and hoppy in the mouth with huge citrus rind flavors. There is a caramel sweetness and peppery spice but it is all underlying the bold hoppiness of this brew. Quite highly carbonated. Lovely slick mouthfeel. Sheets of lacing on the glass. On the full side of medium bodied. Long finish that is a pure delight to a hophead with its to die for bitter goodness.
  
  Not your typical winter warmer but this will appeal to the hophead in you. Big, bold & hoppy. Buy it, you will love it!

  Full Sail 2011 Wreck The Halls Brewmaster Reserve Series Full Sail Brewing, Hood River, Oregon 22 ounce bottle, ABV 6.5%, IBU 68, Best by 02-02-2012 The 2011 Wreck The Halls Brewmaster Reserve Series is an American IPA & Winter Warmer hybrid brew. This beer pours out a golden brown in color with some coppery tints, a little cloud and is topped with a two finger, off-white, tightly knit head. Aromas of citrus and caramel on the nose with a hint of pine. Big and hoppy in the mouth with huge citrus rind flavors. There is a caramel sweetness and peppery spice but it is all underlying the bold hoppiness of this brew. Quite highly carbonated. Lovely slick mouthfeel. Sheets of lacing on the glass. On the full side of medium bodied. Long finish that is a pure delight to a hophead with its to die for bitter goodness. Not your typical winter warmer but this will appeal to the hophead in you. Big, bold & hoppy. Buy it, you will love it!
• HEISCHMAN

  

  Member
   

  December 4, 2011

  Mark puttin me to shame. I will catch up. Things in the gutter here again forgive me

  Mark puttin me to shame. I will catch up. Things in the gutter here again forgive me
• Mark

  

  Leader
   

  December 5, 2011

  Odell Isolation Ale
  Odell Brewing Company, Fort Collins, Colorado
  12 ounce bottle, 6.1% ABV
  
  The Isolation Ale from Odell Brewing Co. in Fort Collins, Colorado pours out a deep copper in color and is pretty clear with just a tine bit of cold haze. A voluminous, light tan head rides above the brew and slowly reduces to about a quarter inch film. On the nose, aromas of caramel, dirt and buttery biscuit. Quite sweet in the mouth with more of a sweet fruit flavor than a caramel or toffee. Decent amount of hops to clean up the sweetness and adding a slightly slick feeling to the mouthfeel. Relatively low carbonation. Medium bodied. Very nice lacing on the glass. A fairly long, balanced finish finishes off each sip.
  
  Different from a lot of the other winter ales I've tried but in a good way. I recommend drinking this to change up the pace and kick back by an outdoor fireplace with a few feet of snow surrounding you.

  Odell Isolation Ale Odell Brewing Company, Fort Collins, Colorado 12 ounce bottle, 6.1% ABV The Isolation Ale from Odell Brewing Co. in Fort Collins, Colorado pours out a deep copper in color and is pretty clear with just a tine bit of cold haze. A voluminous, light tan head rides above the brew and slowly reduces to about a quarter inch film. On the nose, aromas of caramel, dirt and buttery biscuit. Quite sweet in the mouth with more of a sweet fruit flavor than a caramel or toffee. Decent amount of hops to clean up the sweetness and adding a slightly slick feeling to the mouthfeel. Relatively low carbonation. Medium bodied. Very nice lacing on the glass. A fairly long, balanced finish finishes off each sip. Different from a lot of the other winter ales I've tried but in a good way. I recommend drinking this to change up the pace and kick back by an outdoor fireplace with a few feet of snow surrounding you.
• Mark

  

  Leader
   

  December 8, 2011

  Anderson Valley Winter Solstice Seasonal Ale
  Anverson Valley Brewing Company, Boonville, California
  12 ounce can, 6.9% ABV
  
  The Winter Solstice Seasonal Ale from Anderson Valley Brewing Company in Boonville, CA pours out murky, dark, coppery brown in color and is topped with a large, light tan head that reduces down fairly quickly. On the nose aromas of caramel, prune and baked apple. In the mouth, this is malty with good toffee sweetness, baked apple flavors and a mild hop bite that cleans up some of the sweetness. Some barleywine like flavors too. Medium bodied. Relatively low carbonation. Patches of lacing on the glass. Slight stickiness to the mouthfeel. Moderate length finish packed with malty, sweet flavor.
  
  An exceptional winter ale that you just have to try to fully experience.

  Anderson Valley Winter Solstice Seasonal Ale Anverson Valley Brewing Company, Boonville, California 12 ounce can, 6.9% ABV The Winter Solstice Seasonal Ale from Anderson Valley Brewing Company in Boonville, CA pours out murky, dark, coppery brown in color and is topped with a large, light tan head that reduces down fairly quickly. On the nose aromas of caramel, prune and baked apple. In the mouth, this is malty with good toffee sweetness, baked apple flavors and a mild hop bite that cleans up some of the sweetness. Some barleywine like flavors too. Medium bodied. Relatively low carbonation. Patches of lacing on the glass. Slight stickiness to the mouthfeel. Moderate length finish packed with malty, sweet flavor. An exceptional winter ale that you just have to try to fully experience.