Dogwood Winter Ale 2003 (Whiskey-barrel aged)

A rare find recently at the 5 Seasons. A random offering was made and had the privilege of sampling. Apparently this was the 5SN Winterjack that was once on tap up in Alpharetta. Deep rust color. Sweet aroma of cherries, vanilla, and some spiciness. Flavors are of a well made malt character along with some chocolate notes. Finishes off with a sweet flavor that resembles White Grape juice, but without the tartness, then add some smooth vanilla aftertaste.

Has this at the brewery on tap. A nice dark red color with a wonderful spicy aroma. The malty backbone is perfect for winter and the hints of whiskey are just right.

Name: Winter 2003 BA
Date: April 15, 2004
Mode: Draft
Source: Brewery
Appearance: very dark reddish brown, frothy tan head
Aroma: sweet aroma with lots of vanilla
Flavor: sweet malt flavor with a good oaky character that fades into a bitter finish, just a quick touch of a mild alcoholic burn, warming after only a couple of sips

Name: Winter 2003 BA
Date: March 01, 2005
Source: home keg
big sweet vanilla character, yummy

Name: Winter 2003 BA
Date: March 13, 2005
Mode: draft
lots of sweet vanilla in both the aroma and flavor, over shadows any of the belgian esters, almost cloying at first but settles down quickly, need to boost the carbonation a bit

Name: Winter 2003 BA
Date: July 09, 2006
Mode: draft
still a lot of sweetness but the oaky vanilla is really nice, still some hot esters but not overpowering,

Name: Winter 2003 BA
Date: August 23, 2006
Mode: draft
probably the last entry for this fine brew as the last keg in existance is down to the last couple of snifters, big chocolate, whisky, oak, and vanilla with nothing being the promant profile as everything is very well blended, nice fruity sweetness with a slight alcohol edge

Name: Winter 2003 BA
Date: December 13, 2006
Mode: draft
Source: 5N
crawford had a hidden keg and tapped it at the new Five Seasons, tasty as ever with the whisky, oak, and vanilla coming on strong

Name: Winter 2003 BA
Date: March 06, 2008
Mode: draft
Source: Ale Atlanta
this dog won’t die as a keg shows up at an ale atlanta meeting, whisky is fading and very well balances the chocolate of the base beer, lots of fruity

On tap at 5 Seasons North. They are calling it Winterjack. Delicious beer. Poured a still, cloudy, brown...looked like really dirty water. Smelled like wood, burbon, and some vanilla notes. The beer was amazingly full and slick in my mouth. The burbon taste was almost too much. I’m not a big fan of burbon, so I imagine for those of you who are it isn’t at all too much. Chocolate and toffee notes. The belgian dubble was there in the finish right before the real finish which was more burbon. What a delight. I had a day to kill and drove over thinking I’d get some very good beer brewed in Georgia, but didn’t expect this.

Bottle from Walt I think. Thanks again for this one. The barrel aging is subtle on this. Clearly definible but does not hide the fruity esters. Some fruit that I would classify as ripe pears?? Getting past its prime but still a very nice treat to enjoy,thanks again Walt.

KP’s Fest. 1 liter swing top. Pours a deep ruby almost bright brownish and a fizzy small head. Spicy aroma - light cinnamon and nugtmeg, sweet caramel malts, light bourbon, oaky and some high alcohol hints. Flavor of dried fruits, bourbon, sweet malts, more spice, and an earthy light bitter finish with more alcohol. Relatively smooth finish and full mouthfeel.

Old notes from various tastings. KP rocks for having some of this beer still around, not to mention that his cellar ought to be a separate entry under ’places’ on ratebeer. Dark brown pour. Huge sweet vanilla whisky bourbon aroma, with just enough of the base yeasty dubbel to poke through. Sweet oaky whisky flavors, with a backing of yeasty sweet and fruity malts. Fairly full beer. Damn this is a fantastic beer.

I can’t believe 2 things. 1) that dogwood doesn’t exist anymore as i love everything by them so far, and 2) that i forgot to have the decadent at Kp’s when it was on tap! dammit! anyways, this beer was excellent. it was smooth and warm and definitely had that jack daniels feel to it :) very good variation on the winter. i really wish these guys were still around and brewing.