Brooklyn Winter Ale (2006 and Later)

Brewed by Brooklyn Brewery
Style: Scottish Ale
Brooklyn, New York USA

Bottle:   Darker shade of caramel, hazy, thin off-white sudsy head, spotty lacing.   Soft brown sugar and caramel/molasses nose, smells as if it might be a bit oxidized.   Semi-sweet malt start, smooth, with some flavors of caramel and brown sugar.   For a Scotch Ale it seems rather light.   Does have a touch of cardboard, so I would say this one has already peaked.   Finish is clean, but not a lot of lingering flavors except some malt sweetness.   Body and mouthfeel are average.   Drops off quick after the finish.   Pretty uneventful.   Should probably try a fresh one some-time.   Okay, but overly boring I would say.   Thanks Craig for the bottle!

From a 12 oz bottle courtesy of Joe McPhee this poured a ruby amber with a nice light tan head and good lacing. The nose is of . Aroma caramel malts, floral hops and ripe fruti. Medium body and smooth clean mouthfeel, Flavor is caramel malts and fruit. Slightly bitter finish. Very drinkable and well crafted.

Had on draft at Woody’s. Pours ruby amber with a thick frothy beige head. Aroma of peach, caramel and floral hops. Taste is rich smooth caramel and fruit. Medium body, smooth carbonation. Not super but very nice and drinkable.

Dark amber/ruby color; Medium body; Aroma of malt & subtle fruit; Flavor of malt, caramel, apricot, and spice; Not what I initially expected - overall, it was ok.

Pours dark amber. Light aroma of malt. Decent roasted malt flavor, otherwise not much going on. Pretty unremarkable.

Pours clear reddish orange with a substantial creamy white head. Aroma is of fruity desserts, caramel, apricots, white chocolate, and bread. Mild on the nose, or is that my allergies acting up? Flavor starts with caramel, fruity cakes, then cinnamon, light citrus, and earthy hops. Finishes like a gentle, earthy interpretation of the flavor with mild bitterness and a cleaner rather than lingering finish. Medium bodied, creamy, but overly carbonated and prickly in mouthfeel. Think of this as a winter beer for tailgate parties: flavor that suits the season, body that suits sessionable drinking.

pours light chestnut brown with a tan head, not much lacing. aroma is faint-light fruit, spicy, malty notes. a little caramel. flavor is spice, plum, malty caramel. finish is slightly warm, malty. a little dryness in the finish, but a little too watery for my taste throughout.

$8.99 / 4 Pack- What is this? Come on now Brooklyn! You guys make some really good stuff...this is not one of them. First of all, it’s Scottish style and that is a red flag; I didn’t know that is what I was getting into. Dry, roasted hops are not terrible, but there is ALWAYS something wrong with Scottish ales. Maybe it is the yeast, I don’t know. I feel used. I thought I was getting a strong ale like Avery’s "Old Jubilation"--now that is a true winter ale. Update: After having a few more of these I had to downgrade my rating.