 ivan9856 (122), Arlington, Virginia, USA
Jan 9, 2006
This ale has a copper or amber-colored body with an average-sized, rocky tan head that leaves good lacing. The 12 oz. bottle is labeled 12-06-05, so it is less than 4 weeks old. There is a bold floral nose with some pine and malt backbone peaking through. The beer is well-hopped through and through, but there is a sweet, brief palate entry. The rich mouthfeel may owe to the strong malt foundation. There is a long-lasting and dry hop finish. Traces of toffee and caramel sneak through in the mid-palate.
beerking99 (199), USA
Jan 1, 2008 Part of a New Year’s Eve vertical tasting that featured 3 years of Winter Brew. This is the best of the 3. Starts out with a BIG hoppy aroma, but with some good balancing malt, and perhaps hints of vanilla. Flavor is malty with a strong hop backbone. Really nice balance between the malt and the hops. Finishes very roasty, with some hop and raisin notes.
Stine (1354), St. Paul, Minnesota, USA
Nov 29, 2007 Tap at RFD Washington. Clear bright red pour. Sweet and gritty aroma of almonds, white cake batter, and cotton candy. Pasty and almost abrasive with little balance of bitterness. Slick crystal flavor; grapefruit iced tea with sugar. Plenty of biscuity starch with honey and brown sugar. Quite dark altogether and thick with bready, english style malt construction. Sweetly rendered, with strange, offensive encroachments of wild rice and dog food creeping in with the slightest increase of warmth. Medium to full bodied palate; very dry. The finish extends itself lazily, letting the degenerative dryness of rice and singed grass dominate the more pleasant tones of bitterness. Candied lavender brings it back a bit at the very end. Not bad, really, but definitely purposeless within the field.
JCB (1124), Durham, USA
Apr 27, 2007 A winter IPA, and a fairly interesting concoction. The particular combo of hops used here - along with the pronounced sugars - puts this one about halfway to scotch ale. But it’s the citrus tang and the faint acidity that keep it closer to the advertised style. Toasty and satisfying, with that ubiquitous Dominion flavor profile, this is a worthy effort.
jake65 (1326), Meridian, Idaho, USA
Mar 11, 2007 Bottle (brew date 11/11/05): Pours a murky copper/orange color with a thick beige head. Nose is decidedly sweet, with caramel, citrus hops, and toffee. A very wet mouthful with citrus notes, caramel, more sugary sweetness, and a hops bitter tail. There is something of a candylike feel to this ale; I know what you’re thinking and no it’s not like Skittlebrau. A lingering sugar holds on after the hops in the tail. Very different and very tasty. Could it have something to do with the age of this? I don’t know, but I’d certainly have another.
beaconstreet (810), Washington DC, USA
Dec 31, 2006 Delicious! On tap at Falls Church, VA. Malty, sweet, caramelly and bold. Slidey slides down your throat, prepping you for a cheerful new year.
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