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Left Hand Snow Bound Winter Ale 3.31 339

Left Hand Snow Bound Winter Ale

 (RETIRED)
Percentile
76
overall

bottled
common

on tap
available

Broad Distribution
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RatingsAverageScoreSeasonalABVStyle PctlServe in
3393.32/5.03.31/5.0Winter8.6%83.5Lager glass, Tumbler
Commercial Description:
Fight cabin fever! Made with Rocky Mountain water, malted barley, hops, yeast, honey, orange zest, and other spices.

Editor’s Note: beginning in 2006, Snow Bound became the name for Left Hand’s strong winter seasonal beer made with honey and spices. It was previously known as XXXmas Ale. Below is the original XXXmas Ale description for reference.

XXXmas Ale is a spiced strong ale, using all natural ingredients to give it its festive nature. We brew this beer from a relatively high initial gravity to give it strength and body. This is (in our opinion) appropriate to a winter beer, and it helps to balance the numerous spices added. Honey is also added to increase fermentable sugars and give additional sweetness. Northern Brewer and Saaz hops are used sparingly, to allow the spices to evidence themselves. We add ground nutmeg, whole cloves, crushed cinnamon, orange zest and chopped ginger to spice the beer. Carbonation is kept low to accentuate the flavor of the beer and spices. It’s like a liquid cake. Brew water is relatively soft.
 Most Recent Top Raters Highest Ratings Who's Rated This?  
 douglas88 (1685), Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
3.3 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
6/103/56/103/515/20
Jan 12, 2009  
Bomber from College Liquors in Grand Junction, CO. I can’t believe I still have beers from that trip around. Pours a dark chestnut color with a medium off-white head. The aroma is mostly spices, especially cloves and nutmeg. The taste is similar; load of initial spiciness, some nutmeg, cloves, ginger, some citrus zest, and a decent malt background. Nice, but not an everyday beer, very spicy.


 Butters (1684), Virginia, USA
3.4 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
7/105/57/103/512/20
Jan 28, 2009  
Here comes the 300th rating for this beer! Bomber split with Barrios. Pours a very dark brown with brilliant clarity and chestnut highlights and a fair very light tan head. Massive nutmeg is the overwhelming aroma note. More complexities come out in flavor. Anise, cinnamon, ginger is predominant, nutmeg, clove. Medium body with medium carbonation. I totally agree with nqualls assessment that this is like a pumkin beer without the pumpkin. Nice change of pace.


 Marsiblursi (1659), Göteborg, Sweden
3.2 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
7/104/56/103/512/20
Aug 11, 2007  
(Bottle) Pours dark brown with red hints. Very spicy aroma with tones of clove, cardamom, nutmeg, cinnamon and ginger(bread). Fruity with notes of oranges, bananas, cherries and some other more subtle fruits. The malt brings light notes of caramel and chocolate. Very spicy flavour as well with clove and ginger up front but also some hints of nutmeg and cinnamon. Some notes celery of both in the aroma and in the flavour. Creamy and round but maybe a tiny bit raw mouthfeel. Spices linger in the aftertaste. Medium full body.


 kiefdog (1654), Tampa, Florida, USA
3.6 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
7/104/57/104/514/20
Dec 14, 2008  
Bottle courtesy of fishingnet. Pours a dark brown amber color with a thin off-white head. Aroma is spicy, nutmeg, cinnamon, almost hints of peppermint and phenol. Flavor is sweet and malty with notes of clove, ginger, caramel, honey, heavy on the spices. Generally medium body with a slightly sweet finish.


 Headbanger (1601), Aurora, Illinois, USA
3.3 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
6/103/56/103/515/20
Aug 6, 2009  
22oz bottle-Poured a dark amber iwth a small head that dissiptes rather quickly. Aroma of malt, fruit, spices, and honey. Taste of the same with the spices coming out more prominent. Full bodied brew that is easy to drink and hides the ABV fairly well.


 esjaygee (1600), Oak Creek, Wisconsin, USA
3.4 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
7/104/57/103/513/20
Dec 19, 2009  
Clear dark copper with a thin tan quickly fading head. Aroma of ginger, cinnamon, honey and malt. Taste of honey, caramel, brown sugar, ginger, spices, cardamom and a touch of alcohol. The spice mix seems all wrong. Strong honey and spices on the finish and aftertaste.


 TheBeerOrg (1594), Kentucky, USA
3.5 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
7/104/57/104/513/20
Dec 18, 2006  
Pours dark brown/black with ruby hues and a mostly receding light tan head. Aroma of nutmeg, cinnamon, and dark candied malt. Tastes of caramel, nutmeg, and vanilla. Mouthfeel is medium to full bodied with moderate carbonation. Interesting, but a bit too spicy for me.


 legion242 (1588), Richardson, Texas, USA
4 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/104/58/104/516/20
Nov 17, 2007  
A really nice winter warmer with just the right amount of boozieness. Warming for sure.



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