Long Trail Hibernator

Brewed by Long Trail Brewery
Style: Scottish Ale
Bridgewater Corners, Vermont USA

I had this beer at Stuff Yer Face in New Brunswick, NJ. Being the first one to try it I found it to be both sweet and bitter on the palate at the same time. After the initial flavors dissipated the beer had a warm feeling which lingered for a few seconds.

Honey/burgundy colored, slightly bittersweet aroma. Hints of bitter honey in the aftertaste, not bad but not great.

Dark brown pour, light tan fizzy head. Aroma of raisons and caramel. Taste of caramel with a bitter finish. Middle of the road winter brew.

Pours a darkish amber to light burgundy, clear with a thin white disipating head. The nose is sweet with light spicy elements. Some light toasty elements pop up with a hint of fruit. This feels nice in the mouth, a little fizzy, but nice and creamy with a less than watery mouthfeel. The flavors are also really pleasant here. Sweet, though very well rounded malt. The dark malts give a robust hint of roast. There’s a slight bit of fruit and a hint of smoke that seems to come out. This finish is all charcoal with a hint of herbal elements. The aftertaste is this carbon herbal bitterness lingering, not completely clean, but not bad. I liked this-- it was the best of the mix pack.

Enjoyed this one on draught at the brewery in Bridgewater Corners, VT. I have fond memories of this beer, as it is a beer I have drank since Long Trail introduced it. This is a rich, delicious, warming, winter ale brewed with brown sugar and honey. Based on a Scottish Ale, this beer has lots of great malt character, and some nice warming alcohol. Hibernator pours to a beautiful, bright, deep amber to mahogany color, with a tight white head, and a soft carbonation. The nose on this beer is very inviting, with lots of good aromas of caramel, butterscotch, fresh baked bread, and peppery alcohol. The palate is a touch slick and oily on the tongue, with really good malty flavors of caramel, butterscotch, fresh bread, and hints of brown sugar sweetness. This beer finishes with more of the sweet malty flavors up front, then finishes with some nice, peppery, alcohol heat that takes the cloying edge off, and warms. A really wonderful winter warmer, perfect for the Christmas season, and a wonderful beer to sip and savor in cold weather.

Pours a deep amber with a nicely knit, lasting white head. Aroma is bready, caramel, light alcohol, pretty damn nice. The body is med-heavy and smooth. The flavors are all character malts. lots of caramel, and a slight burnt character. Finish is sweet but appropriate for the intention. Overall, a very enjoyable beer that accomplishes what it is trying to.

Clear bronze appearance with a small white head and little lacing. Sweet, caramel malt aroma; hints of toffee. Earthy, moderately hopped, roasted malt taste contributed some depth, although the palate was on the thin side. Modestly carbonated with a short lived finish.

Pours a deep and clear maple syup color. Aroma of malts and honey. Flavor was rich with malts, sweetened with a light honey taste in the back of the mouth. This beer was balanced by a little dose of hops in the middle, giving a bit of a bite. An overall good winter brew without having to add any spice.