Black Oak Winter Ale

Formerly brewed at Black Oak Brewing
Style: English Strong Ale
Etobicoke, Canada

Bright copper colour. Faintly dirty head. Aroma shows salmonberries, amber malts, slight toast...fresh & fruity...very English in its subtleties. Has, as billed by the brewery, traces of Irish in its blood, with caramel sweetness and earthy overtones. These are augmented by a resiny bitterness and woody notes. Bitterness lingers through the finish. A little strong for a session ale, a little light to be a "strong". Whether this is a problem or a good thing depends on your mood. At any rate, it is well-crafted and has good balance.

Shining orange with ruby hints and a thin beige head. Caramel biscuits aroma, candi sugar, maybe a bit oxidized as the sweetness overpowers the nose in a watery way. There’s a lot of caramel flavor, but it’s not so malty in mouth. Something vegetabley, cookies, weirdly tart. Bitter finish. I’m not much of a fan of this one I must say. Medium carbonation, thin-medium body.

Caramel and cane sugar breezes over light citrus and resinous bitterness...Near-silent butterscotch notes comply with the almonds and remain subdued...A floury, dryish ending disappoints a bit, in this a very typical, well-made yet unexciting, Ontario brew...Thanks Jercraigs!...

Raisins, caramel and sugar in a lightly acidic aroma. Clear tan colour with pillowy off-white head that recedes to cover. Some lacing. Flavour is nicely balaanced if simple - caramel malt, touch of roastiness, a bit acetic, flowery hops and good bitterness. A touch of buttery diacetyl works well. Medium-light body with adequate carbonation. Simple, well-made, middle of the road but not very exciting. Bottle (sampled at Mondial RB Gathering 2004 with CapFlu, CaptainCougar, JerCraigs, MartinT, OKBeer, Radek and Rastacouere).

Malt, spice and coffee, easy drink. Fruit mid-sip. Brown sugar or is it maple? Darker colour not quite brown. Bit of creamy head in first pour. Dry but not too dry aftertaste. Hat off to Jercraigs for samples.

Light, but pleasant aroma. Soft but full malt supported with decent amount of hops . Same goes to the flavour department . Slightly nutty effect followed with hoppy tone. Nice very drinkable ale.

From the bright tank! :) Clear dark amber body, big foamy off white-beige head with awesome brewers lace. Healthy amount of Northern Brewer hops in the aroma caught me off guard on the second sniff. Very well balanced, nicely bitter. Complexity becomes more apparent as it warms. Interesting aftertaste that I think is mostly the malt but I am not sure. Good mouthfeel, sort of medium bodied. This one is growing on me.

(Bottle) Many thanks to Jercraigs for sending this little extra in my care-package. Pours a medium, almond head and a deep copper body. Nose is like grapefruit and fruit salad. Flavour is more caramel malt, cask and slight hoppiness. Good!