Left Hand Snow Bound Winter Ale

A hazed brown pour with good lacing. A spicy aroma of citrus and the flavor of roasted malt and a nice warming that is even and pleasant. It has a good bitter finsih, not overpowering but present. The palate is just a tad thin but overall a good beer.

Bottle (XXXmas Ale) Pours a dark amber color with minimal beige head. Aroma is very festive, sweet malt, nutmeg, cinnamon, ginger, clove, citrus. Flavor is sweet, honey, caramel, orange, nutmeg, cinnamon, clove, ginger. Palate is medium bodied, almost no carbonation, overly sweet and spicy, slightly warming. Not very good, lacking in balance, needs help big time.

I tasted this beer at the Capital Ale house. The spices were immediately evident. The color was deep amber. the alcohol was alos detected. i thought this would be great after skiing. Not something I would have evry night.

At the 2007 Big Beer, Belgians, & Barleywines Festival in Vail. Mahogany reddish-purple amber in color with a medium off-white head. Orange aroma with discernable cloves and nutmeg. Flavor is watery for the style, but produces honey seweetness, strong ginger, cinnamon, and even a bit of cardamom. I think they just cleaned out Mom’s spice cabinet and tossed everything in. Should have tossed in a bit more malt, eh? UPDATE 12/2007: At the Max & Joe’s Left Hand tasting. Huge strawberry flavor. Dark reddish amber with a medium-sized beige head. Palate is slightly peppery and harsh. Malty mouthfeel, but the strawberry flavors are remarkable!

Shared with Mr. Facto, CaptainCougar, & 1FastSTi. 22 oz bottle. Poured clear with a port like color and a light head. The aroma was all clove and allspice. Strong. The flavor also was dominated by allspice. That spice was layered all though the malt body of this lightly sweet brew. Medium body that had a mineral quality to its slickness. Not my favorite but I think I’ve discovered I don’t like allspice in my beer.

Bomber consumed at Matt’s place. The beer pours to a reddish amber body with a thin white head. The aroma is heavily allspice and cinnamon. I swear there is pumpkin in there. The flavor is heavy on the allspice and also seems to be made from pumpkin. The beer has a spicy palate. A nice winter brew.

Pours a dark brown with a light tan head. Aroma is slighly spicey with some malt. Flavor is moderate with a bit of chritmas spices and caramel malt.

Poured from a 22 oz bottle: Dark color of chestnut brown with a thin bubbuly airy head of just off-white. Very different aroma here ... spicey to be sure, and another aspect that’s harder for me to pin down ... anise maybe? Same for the flavor ... over the undertow of sweet malt, there’s a distinct flavoring of honey, ginger! (that’s what that was in the aroma!), and other less obtrusive spices. This is just as advertised and is a good choice for those who enjoy such creations. (#2724, 2/20/2007)