Ithaca Winterizer

Brewed by Ithaca Beer Company
Style: Spice/Herb/Vegetable
Ithaca, New York USA

Pours a very dark brown that some light comes through. Minimal crème head. Nose is very nutty and leafy and earthy. Very nice indeed. Flavor is robust and sweet. This seems like a mix between a winter warmer and a brown ale. Distinct sugar-laden characters with noticeable earthy qualities there as well. Liquid feel is smooth. Carbonation is low, but still nice.

Tap at HDG Daze. One of my favorites of the day. Very nice dark color with a little head. Aroma of wheat, and spices with a lot of malts to balance it out. Nice flavor. Very well balnced spices and great body. Some faint dark fruits of raisins and some bittersweet chocolate too. Pretty good overall.

On tap at HDG. Nutty, cola in the aroma. Flavor has a sweet raz or strawberry thing going on. Theres a sulfuric thing going on that’s not very pleasant. Nothing in this beer is very pleasant.

Tap at HDG Daze of the Devil. Very dark brown beer. Toasty chocolatey aroma with a bit of brown sugar and loads of banana as well. Flavour is very chewy and sweet. Spicy and wheaty with a chewy lingering sweet finish. Toasted sweet malts and light chocolate. Lingering spiciness and is quite well-balanced and tasty. A kiss of alcohol on the back.

Draft at HDG served at Daze of the Devil II. Ok now I’m confused the HDG menu for the day says "Belgian yeast, chocolate, wheat malt, dried sour orange, zest of orange. (Step away from the mainstream winter spices while maintaining a traditional flavor). Other then the alcohol is this a new beer? Either way it’s not bad. Pours a deep redish/brown with a small off white head. Aroma of wheat, grass clippings, yeast and chocolate. Flavor is much like the aroma only with a slight touch of graininess and orange. I was so banged up by the end of DOTD that my hangover is actually coming back as I write this review three days after the fact.

Tap at HDG - spice/herb/vegetable? - this is all weizenbock - dark mahogany brew, with minimal lace - aroma of red winter wheat, caramel, raisin - medium sweet, with dark fruits, light wheat tartness, and some bready/grainy notes - a bit of earthy flavor and orange zest - light notes of nuts and chocolate - nice.

Pint pour @ HDG. Color is dark brown. The aroma is very weird, I like spiced beer but this is most different. Just some herb i cannot pinpoint with celery root or something, possibly mixed with pickling spices. Whatever, I like it. Taste is more balanced with some coffee and chocolate, spices take more of a backseat. It’s easy drinking with a light body, cannot tell that it’s this strong at all.

Tap at Hop Devil: Very deep burgundy in color with a tan ring for head. Evident Belgian yeasts in the nose; accompanied by a rich spice presence. Some dark citrus fruitiness as well and a cranberry note. Creamy body. The flavor has a mild roast upfront with residual spices of cinnamon and clove, followed by a light toasted citrus character. The finish has a smooth roasted, mildly bitter finish. Decent stuff.