Blue Ridge (MD) Snowballs Chance

Brewed by Wild Goose LLC (Flying Dog)
Style: English Strong Ale
Frederick, Maryland USA

Warm overtones. Nutty malty flavor. Not strong alcohol wise. Smooth for a winter ale

Snow Ball’s Chance pours to a beautiful, bright, garnet color with a nice tan head, and a soft carbonation. The nose is very rich and malty. Aromas of sweet malt, toffee, nuts, and chocolate flood the nose. The palate is rich and satisfying. Flavors of sweet malt, caramel, a bit of roast, and a touch of chocolate coat the tongue. Mouth feel is very nice on this beer, it is hefty, and slightly syrupy. This beer finishes with more good sweet malt character, then is balanced out with just a touch of hop character, and a slightly warming, soothing burn. Really a very well done winter warmer. Plenty of good malt flavors and just enough alcohol boost to take the chill off a cold night. This would make an excellent desert beer. I would serve this with a warm bread pudding with whiskey sauce, or perhaps a hot apple or mince meat pie.

Great winter ale, it is possible that the rating is a little romantic tho...it was the beer that brought me to drinking beer, at my favorite(now sadly defunct) local tavern made by two of my good friends up in Frederick MD, just up the road from me!!! Thanks Dan and Mike for all your labors.

This beer rocks... Crystal clear, mahogany ale with a small, creamy, off-white head. Very good retention and sparse lacing. The aroma is nutty and chocolatey with notes of cinnamon and caramel. Malty, sweet flavor with some nice, astringent hops. Brown ale-like except it’s more full-bodied than most. Silky mouthfeel with medium carbonation. Lengthy, creamy, malty finish. World class Winter warmer from Blue Ridge! Underrated.

Very nice. I am really enjoying this winter brew. Nice dark color and sweet aroma and flavor (just the right amount of sweetness - nothing too over the top). Reminds me just a little of Anchor Our Special Ale but without as much spice or alcohol aftertaste.

I had this at the same time as ’Snow Goose Winer Ale’ so it is inevitable I compare the two. This had a nice malt character and was quite nice. The only negative is a lingering bitter aftertaste. Not bad but I detract from it a couple points.

I liked it for what it was. When I think winter warmer I think STRONG! This is not that but it is nicely spiced with corriander and nutmeg and is a good overall brown ale with good malt character

This appeared a deep brown in the glass and the aroma was filled with hints of chocolate. Nice and malty throughout, and finishes clean. Recommended.