Bottle. Arborfest 2008. This one was a pleasant surprise. Bold, fruity hops initially greet the nose. Wet leather and some skunky malt as well. Pours dark, amber brown with cranberry accents. Sweet caramel and tangy hops on the tongue. Leather, tobacco leaf and orange marmalade. Creamy texture. Thick and bordering on cloying.

Roughly 3 oz. pour from a 12 oz. bottle, consumed at a beer tasting on 4-12-08. 2007 vintage. Aroma of sweet, dark malts. Delicious dessert smells: Chocolate, molasses, marmalade, and cookie scents all are present. Alcohol smell noticeable. Pours brown with an amber tint and a small amount of beige head. Complex flavors: Roasted coffee beans and cherries. Dry, nutty finish. Very good flavors overall. Dry aftertaste. Medium body. I had high hopes for this beer, but Old Man Winter Warmer managed to exceed them. This is a delicious brew from a strong and underrated brewery. This was my favorite beer of the tasting, even over my beloved Orval. I am very impressed. My only regret is that I’ll probably have to wait until next year to pick up a six-pack.

Wonderful robust aroma of malt. Thick, rich mouthfeel. Lots of flavor; sweet up front with a bitterness followed by alcohol at the end. Nice lasting finish, too. The best beer I’ve had from Minnesota, eh!

The spices in here are a bit muddled, but the alcohol burn falls short of unpleasant and the malt is a semi-rich, medium-sweet, thickish exploration of pumpernickel bread, molasses, and fluffy biscuits. End is bitter with a sticky aftertaste.