Winter Beer Retrospective 2009-2010

The Ferment Nation suffered through the worst Winter in history, and perhaps that is why we waited so long for our second Winter Beer Round-Up, which since it's Spring already, is no longer a round-up, but rather a retrospective. So while you're sipping on your hoppy beers in time for Easter, you can reminisce about these great Winter beers.

Flying Dog K-9 Cruiser Winter Ale:

This reddish-brown winter warmer has a pretty apparent malt flavor, but is just a bit light on the body. It isn't weak, however, since the hoppy bitterness creates an interesting finish. The aftertaste is bitter and lingers quite awhile. [Read the full review]

Samuel Smith's Winter Welcome Ale:

Okay, so now I am on the hunt for the perfect "winter warmer."Samuel Smith's almost always presents a near-perfect product; Just as nearly perfect is their representation of the style at hand. My personal opinion of Winter Welcome is that it falls just a smidge short. [Read the full review]

Great Divide Hibernation Ale:

This "English-Style Old Ale" is another interesting take on the "winter warmer." The flavor is rich and woody and malty. The aroma contains a hint of caramel sweetness but the taste isn't really sweet at all. [Read the full review]

--From the Office of the Vice President

Samuel Smith's Winter Welcome Ale

Samuel Smith's Winter Welcome Ale:

Okay, so now I am on the hunt for the perfect "winter warmer." Samuel Smith's almost always presents a near-perfect product; Just as nearly perfect is their representation of the style at hand. My personal opinion of Winter Welcome is that it falls just a smidge short. Oh, it's a fantastic brew that bears the Samuel Smith's signature sublimity and flawless craftsmanship, but I think it's a simple matter of my taste in hops. I think that Fuggle hops just don't do it for me. I remember being a bit disappointed in Long Hammer IPA awhile back, and I seem to remember that Fuggle hops were featured prominently in that particular beverage.

Samuel Smith's Winter Welcome starts out fairly malty in flavor but it seems to fade as the dry, hoppy finish takes over after the swallow. The aftertaste of the Fuggle and Golding hops is jus a little too funky for my taste. I prefer a bigger, bolder dose of malt and a different breed of hop. The Winter Welcome is finely crafted and well-balanced, just not to my ideal of the perfect winter warmer. It is sufficiently warming at 6% abv, but I think I want to be put to sleep by an ultra-smooth, malt-heavy, snowed-in-at-a-ski lodge, served-in-a-tankard doppelbock with a touch of cocoa and figs.

Like other winter beers: Medium body, smooth and malty, warming 6%.
Unlike other winter beers: Signature English mellowness that is funkified by Fuggle hops.

Samuel Smith's Winter Welcome Ale:

Representation: .95
Accessibility: .925
Style: .95
Personal Preference: .85

Total Score: 3.675 Flags

Flying Dog K-9 Cruiser Winter Ale

Flying Dog K-9 Cruiser Winter Ale:

This reddish-brown winter warmer has a pretty apparent malt flavor, but is just a bit light on the body. It isn't weak, however, since the hoppy bitterness creates an interesting finish. The aftertaste is bitter and lingers quite awhile.

Flying Dog has some good stuff (like Gonzo Porter and Double Dog IPA), but they have a lot of brews I'm not 100% enthused about. K-9 Cruiser Winter Ale is pretty good but I prefer my malty beers a bit maltier and my hoppy beers a bit hoppier. Some exceptions exist, but those are extremely well-balanced brews that don't pop up all that often. I feel that Flying Dog K-9 Cruiser would be really on the money if it had a bit more malty body and just a touch less bitterness. Then it would be approaching my perfect winter warmer scenario. Actually I may get a K-9 Cruiser and a Gritty's Christmas and pour them into the same big-ass mug and see what happens.




Flying Dog K-9 Cruiser is worth a try if you're a beer geek on a winter ale kick, but don't put it in front of a newbie. Stylistically sassy, the flavors don't blend together smoothly enough to convert a non-craft drinker.

Like other winter beers: warming in your belly (6.4% abv does the job).
Unlike other winter beers: no other tell-tale spices or flavors.

Flying Dog K-9 Cruiser Winter Ale:

Representation: .90
Accessibility: .80
Style: .95
Personal Preference: .875

Total Score: 3.525 Flags

Read our other [Winter Beer Reviews]

Great Divide Hibernation Ale

Great Divide Hibernation Ale:

This "English-Style Old Ale" is another interesting take on the "winter warmer." The flavor is rich and woody and malty. The aroma contains a hint of caramel sweetness but the taste isn't really sweet at all. Rather, there's a very roasted, almost well-done smoky flavor. Not over the top like a rauch porter would be, but a chestnuts-roasting-over-an-open-fire earthy heartiness. The malt works in a pretty nice harmony with the dry, hoppy bitterness that takes over at the end.

While the body is medium to large, and Hibernation is fairly rich in flavor, it could easily work its way into a "session" of imbibing that simply carries over from a hearty meal. The folks at Great Divide recommend some food pairings: Aged Dutch cow's milk cheese, roasted chicken, and grilled veggies. I'll go a step further and recommend a chicken pot pie. I think that the rich yet not spicy malt and hops blend would go well with a flaky pie crust and some down-home gravy filling. Actually, if you skip dinner, Hibernation could substitute for a meal with little trouble. Then I suppose you'd get the munchies and hit up the pot pie anyway. Ah, who cares? It's all goin' to the same place. Just remember to keep track. 8.1% abv is enough to put you into a sluggish "sleep the winter away" state if you're not careful.

So maybe hunkering down in a cave or a snowy lodge is just right for a Hibernation ale such as this one. Great Divide seems to produce rich and flavorful brews that always satisfy. I've also had the Titan IPA, Hercules Double IPA, and Yeti Imperial Stout, and they're all very solid offerings.

Like other winter brews: Classic "winter warmer".
Unlike other winter brews: Well, it's like the warmers but not like the Christmas stuff. No spices.

Great Divide Hibernation Ale:

Representation: .98
Accessibility: .90
Style: .94
Personal Preference: .96

Total Score: 3.78 Flags

River Horse Belgian Freeze Winter Ale

River Horse Belgian Freeze Winter Ale:

Brewed "for enjoyment between the December solstice and the March Equinox", Belgian Freeze possesses a smooth malty body with just a touch of warmth. Perhaps it could use just a little more... ever so little...

The balancing act of this Belgian-style winter ale is pretty impressive. It's kind of like a Belgian white ale, only brown. Caramel malts (and possibly candi sugar) add body and a fair amount of flavor. Belgian Freeze is a tasty treat -- sweet but not overly so, and lots of body. Yeasty but tame.

What's missing? Just a hint more malt and booze would be nice to complete this well-rounded brew. Also, just a few extra spicy notes and maybe some bitterness (cocoa, maybe?) would help. Other than that, this winter ale is really holding a spot in my snow-day lineup. I'm not sure I can recall a beer that straddles the line between Belgian white and German bock like this one. Pretty snazzy, and another groovy River Horse offering.

Like other winter beers: Malty, made for warming up by a fire.

Unlike other winter beers: Belgian-style and a bit sweet with a heavy, yeasty base.

Check out other "winter warmer" brews already reviewed like: Gritty's Christmas, Rogue Santa's Private Reserve, Sierra Nevada Celebration.

Keep your eyes open for other "winter warmers" like: Sam Smith's Winter Welcome, Flying Dog K-9 Cruiser, and Great Divide Hibernation.

River Horse Belgian Freeze Winter Ale:

Representation: .925
Accessibility: .95
Style: .97
Personal Preference: .97

Total Score: 3.815 Flags

Winter 2009 Beer Review

It's just about time for yet another Winter. Funny, it seems like it comes around this time every year. And what would Winter be without Winter beers? Just plain cold! Be on the look-out for more reviews of Christmas and Holiday-themed beers, but let's look at some classic Winter brews before the season begins in earnest.

1. Southern Tier "Old Man" Winter Ale: Old Man has a light to medium body with a pretty good mouthfeel. Very drinkable but not exceptional in is style or representation. Southern Tier makes awesome stuff and Old Man tows the line but doesn't push the envelope. In the middle of the pack, this brew doesn't exactly cut the mustard as the big dog. Watch your back, however, cuz this Old Man Ale goes down easy like Sunday morning and could cost you a pretty penny if you don't cover your bases and get a designated driver. 3.465 Flags [Read the whole review]

2. Smuttynose Winter Ale: Winter warmer fans should check out Smuttynose Winter Ale because it has some familiar notes floating around in it but it isn't as bold as some winter or Christmas-style ales tend to be. Ale drinkers will be impressed by the body and accessibility of this dandy beverage. The more sips I have, the more accessible it becomes. Goes down smooth but not without making its mark. Comparable to previous versions of Anchor Holiday Ale, Smuttynose comes through once again with a solid seasonal offering. Don't miss this one. 3.55 Flags [Read the whole review]

3. Stoudt's Winter Ale: Really drinkable (though watch out forthe dry and bitter finish). Light to medium body. Geez, a really dry finish. Pale like an ale and hearty like a porter. Coffee and chocolate round out the bitterness, though hops are clearly present as well. Stoudt's Winter Ale is much bolder and timeless than the flashy uber-nutmeggy style lagers. 3.575 Flags [Read the whole review]

Jolly Pumpkin Noel de Calabaza Special Ale

Jolly Pumpkin Noel de Calabaza Special Ale:

This holiday gem is an ale aged in oak barrels, bottled conditioned for richness and complexity. The oakey flavor is subtle -- works nicely with the Flemish sour-style tartness. The spicing is the interesting part here -- the medley of fruits and spices conjure up images of sitting by the fire and sipping this brew with both hands wrapped around the glass. It reminds me a little bit of mince pie: cloves and cinnamon mixed with plenty of sweet-tart fruites like raisins and cherries, cranberries, figs, and orange peels. It would be spiked, of course, with some warming alcohol essence like brandy. Yummy and a little pungent.

I also picture a mulled wine ... again, the spices warm and comfort the jolly drinker with a dessert-like brew. This ale pours a deep reddish-brown color with a tremendously thick, foamy head.

Jolly Pumpkin Noel de Calabaza is ultra rich and flavorful but overall remains a medium-bodied beer. Bottle-conditioning allows for continued growth and changes with the passage of time. Having already been barrel aged, the spices blend in with the brew in a most permanent way. But bottle-conditiong actually keeps the brew fermenting even while it waits to be drunk. The resulting mixture is spice-infused and richly complex. These are not ingredients flung together in a kettle and then sold to goobers who need their beer to be 30 degrees below zero to kill off any flavor that may be lurking at the bottom of the bottle! No, these are ingredients masterfully blended into a definite "sippin' tea." By the way, I think I just got a bite of ginger.

I would recommend this beer to Flemish Sour lovers (Monk's Flemish Sour, Duchesse de Bourgogne), fruit beer lovers (Dogfish Head Festina Peche and Raison D'Etre), and lambic drinkers (Lindeman's Framboise or Kriek).

I would not recommend Noel de Calabaza to anyone who thinks the beer might taste like pumpkin. It doesn't. It isn't very hoppy, though there is a certain dryness that is notable, especially in the finish. There is a nice malty base but the malt has neither the caramely brown taste like a doppelbock nor is it boozy like a Scotch ale.

Not for beginners, Jolly Pumpkin Noel de Calabaza is so flamboyant that it could be off-putting. It would take a pretty sophisticated palate to truly understand and enjoy this brew. I think that the European sours are a little too much for El Presidente, but this Michigan beer tickles my tastebuds. Maybe this makes sense: a cross between a Scottish ale, a Flemish sour, and a Belgian lambic. Oh, by the way, pour this brew into a snifter... better yet, make it two snifters and share a bottle of holiday cheer with someone adventurous. At 9% abv, drinking a whole big bottle by oneself is a little tricky.

Jolly Pumpkin Noel de Calabaza Special Ale:

Representation: .95
Accessibility: .85
Style: 1.0
Personal Preference: .90

Total Score: 3.7 Flags

Stoudt's Winter Ale

Stoudt's Winter Ale:

Another nice warming ale. Good on a snowy evening (such as this one) when you're ready for some hearty elegance in the comfort of your own abode. A real beer that is brewed with care. Some delicate subtleties and complex flavors born of a bold and bitter soul, this beer is a winter winner.

Really drinkable (though watch out forthe dry and bitter finish). Light to medium body. Geez, a really dry finish. Pale like an ale and hearty like a porter. Coffee and chocolate round out the bitterness, though hops are clearly present as well.

Stoudt's fans: Go for it! Fans of Anchor and Smuttynose: Go for it! Just so you know, these winter ales do not resemble Sam Adams or Pete's Wicked Winter selections. Stoudt's Winter Ale is much bolder and timeless than the flashy uber-nutmeggy style lagers. It seems to have been lifted from an old recipe book; Its complexity has a purity that can be described as "old school". I like this beer alot.

Stoudt's Winter Ale:

Representation: .9

Accessibility: .875

Style: .9

Personal Preference: .9

Total Score: 3.575 Flags

Southern Tier Old Man Winter

Southern Tier "Old Man" Winter Ale:

Easy, big fella. This Ale is a classic. I'm not sure what makes it a winter ale but I've never claimed to be an expert in spiceology and perhaps my palate is not refined enough to taste the subtleties but I can put my finger on a handful of hops to keep your tummy tickled. A dry, hoppy, citrusy finish moves up the back of the palate to the nasal area and leaves a clean, bitter aftertaste.

Old Man has a light to medium body with a pretty good mouthfeel. Very drinkable but not exceptional in is style or representation. Southern Tier makes awesome stuff and Old Man tows the line but doesn't push the envelope. In the middle of the pack, this brew doesn't exactly cut the mustard as the big dog. Watch your back, however, cuz this Old Man Ale goes down easy like Sunday morning and could cost you a pretty penny if you don't cover your bases and get a designated driver.

Reviewing this beer has been almost as fun as drinking it. "Barrel full of monkeys" comes to mind. Super easy to drink and a high-quality ale but nothing to write (home) about: Look for lower Representation and Style scores but high Accessibility and Preference.

Southern Tier "Old Man" Winter Ale:

Representation: .775
Accessibility: .99
Style: .80
Personal Preference: .90

Total Score: 3.465 Flags

Smuttynose Winter Ale

Smuttynose Winter Ale:

Tall, dark, and handsome, this winter ale has a really hearty winter feel to it. I took a few sips from the bottle but it opens up quite nicely in a pint glass. The spicy notes mellow out and the mouthfeel can really be experienced -- pretty darn smooth. Oh, I enjoy the bitterness. But it really doesn't come from hops -- no, its kind of a cocoa thing. Mind you, chocolate stouts provide a more over-the-top vehicle for extreme chocolate brewing, whereas the Smuttynose Winter simply employs the essence to enhance the rest of the formula. This winter ale is a mellower version, yet a hearty ale. Strong, silent type I guess.

Winter warmer fans should check out Smuttynose Winter Ale because it has some familiar notes floating around in it but it isn't as bold as some winter or Christmas-style ales tend to be. Ale drinkers will be impressed by the body and accessibility of this dandy beverage. The more sips I have, the more accessible it becomes. Goes down smooth but not without making its mark. Comparable to previous versions of Anchor Holiday Ale, Smuttynose comes through once again with a solid seasonal offering. Don't miss this one.

Smuttynose Winter Ale:

Representation: .9

Accessibility: .875

Style: .875

Personal Preference: .9

Total Score: 3.55 Flags