Elysian Bifröst Winter Ale

Brewed by Elysian Brewing Co.
Style: American Strong Ale
Seattle, Washington USA

22 oz. bomber. Pours a glowing, very cloudy, orange-tinted brown. It is almost opaque from haze and, held up to the light, looks like the color of caramel with bright orange highlight on both sides. The head pours very thick and is a yellowish off-white. It slowly fades into a medium-sized cake that laces the glass heavily. The aroma combines smooth, herbal, citrus hops; light honey and crystal malts; and a funky, bread aroma that slightly resembles a savory breakfast biscuit. The taste is a nice blend of sweet malts (lots of caramel, pound cake, toffee, and honey) with a beautiful flavor of fresh hops - like they were just harvested from the vine yesterday. The hops give such an amazingly smooth, herbal character - like a subtle hint of pepper and menthol providing the soft backdrop to lemon and orange peel. The finish is very full and quite sweet. The mouthfeel is very thick and full-bodied. The carbonation level provides just the right amount of creaminess and tingle on the tongue. Overall, this was pretty good. It is a bit thick in the mouth, but other than that it is amazing. I think it is a bit underrated here.

I really liked this beer when I sampled it at the Great Canadian Beer Festival in 2001. I found it crisp, hoppy, and smooth. It was one of my favorites at that particular festival but since it was a long time ago and only a small sample, my review should be weighted accordingly. I need to try this one again.

22oz bottle. Poured a medium and hazy amber color with a larger sized off white head. Lots of small floaters. Aromas of caramel, yeast, bready, toasted malts, and some citrus. Tastes of caramel, oranges, and toasted malts.

Hazy amber, small head. Lots of citrus hops in the nose. Body is mostly hops, with grapefruit and lemon. Very nice.

Draught sampler at Elysian Brewpub, Seattle. Clear orange-copper colour. Aroma is warm and well-hopped. Mouthfeel is thin and crisp. Flavour is big and warm, with lots of citric and flowery hops. A little hot, but an enjoyable warmer.

22oz bomber. Slightly hazy bright pink copper hue. Two fingers of creamy off-white head. Fruity hop aromas with nuances of orange citrus, raspberries and grapefruit. Subtle notes of vanilla and malt aromas. Full bodied with a sticky cloying palate. Good alcohol burn. Smooth malts, crisp and medium. Bitter lively effervescence. Second pour produces thick, tight cavernous head. Definitely activated the dregs from the depths. Still rather hazy. The malts shine more so as the beer warms. Smooth malts. Easy, but still with a nice accompaning burn. Nice fruity esters. Piney sticky hops. Nice clinging head. Solid brew!

20 oz. bottle. Big hop nose that faded over time. As it warmed up developed unique citrusy character (orange/grapefruit) in the finish.

Bottle. Poured deep amber with thick white head. Aroma of bread, malt and toast. Malty with big hoppy taste and finish. Not heavy like many winter ales.