Highland Cold Mountain Winter Ale

Brewed by Highland Brewing Company
Style: Spice/Herb/Vegetable
Asheville, North Carolina USA

Bottle. Pours a brown-copper body with a small white head. The aroma is heavily cookiesh with lots of spice (namely root/sarsaparilla). Thinnish, calm body with all of that spice flavour that was in the aroma.

Bottle (650ml). Shared with mds and tupalev, my bottle via trade with TURDFERGUSON. Poured fairly deep coppery orange, average head. Sweet aroma, vanilla, root beer, spice, sweet malt, a bit of perfumey hops - a little artificial but pleasing. Even more vanilla in the taste, a little mild bitterness in the finish - average body, a little still, a hint of astringency - nice, softly spicy.

The aroma was malty with vanilla and a subtle spice of clove and cinnamon. The malt, caramel, vanilla and spice worked well to achieve a complex nose. Crystal clear deep amber with a white low persistent head which lasted to lace the glass. The flavor contained a nice caramel with a light toasted aspect. The spices in the aroma were still present in the flavor but well restrained to add complexity to the beer instead of strong spice. The bittering was high enough to keep the malt character in check and lead to a very nice balance. Medium full body with a moderate level of carbonation and an extremely creamy mouthfeel. A very nice winter warmer from Highland. 22 ounce bottle.

Bottle (Winter 2006-07). Light cinnamon and vanilla malt aroma. Dark amber color with small head. Raw sugar cookie dough/cinnamon/vanilla (snickerdoodle) flavor. Mild hops finish - high acidity and carbonation. Has a nice cookie flavor without being cloying or with the strong spice flavors that are usually present in this style. (Winter 2007-08) - not really detecting a great deal of difference - similar aroma, color and taste but a bigger head. Still a quality brew.

Bottle. Pours a fairly dark reddish orange with a moderately-sized creamy off-white head that lasts a while and leaves nice lacing. Aroma is somewhat sweet, with cinnamon, vanilla, bready malts, a bit of caramel, and a hint of pine hops. Flavor is a pretty strong rush of sweet spiced bready malt---cinnamon, vanilla, maybe ginger. Finishes with a bit of chocolate, with some light sweet-citrus hops in the background. Kind of like drinking a Christmas dessert, but unlike most such attempts, this one avoids being cloyingly sweet or artificial, and is quite drinkable.

2006. Light brown color with white head. Malty chocolate nose. Flavor is malts with spicy, sprucy flavor.

Tap at Tyler’s in the Boro. flat coke appearance with sweet fruitcake and roasted malt nose. Flavor is mocha milkshake, nutmeg, and weird christmas cookies. I am not a huge fan. Creamy and smooth palate, but just not my thing.

2006 Bomber. Reminds me of a flat cola drink. Slightly sweet with a roasted malt character. Finish is a little bitter. Aromas are overwhelmingly roasted malt. Dry, medium bodied, and long on the finish. Best slightly chilled but not frozen.