Samuel Smiths Winter Welcome Ale

Brewed by Samuel Smith
Style: English Strong Ale
Tadcaster, England

550-ml bottle Marcello’s, Lafayette, LA - Aroma: spicy, floral (hops), sweet, cararmel (hop), alcohol; Appearance: reddish brown, clear, off-white head, plenty of laces; Flavor: slight sweetness, nutty, roast (malt), bitter (hop), slight spicy (yeast/hop); Mouthfeel: light to medium body, moderate carbonation, bitter and dry finish; Overall: nice malty and bitter beer with smooth alcohol. I don’t get any dried fruit.

Poured to a fluted fest glass at Brixie’s Holiday Beer Tasting in Brookfield, IL. The color was a clear amber tone, with average, off white foam to the head, and light lacing. The aroma and flavor were similar notes of subtle sweetness as malt and light fruit. A little hop bitterness was also present. Light bodied and slightly dry at the finish. Sessionable, but not very "Strong".

Not much flavor in this ale. Off-white head with amber body. Taste of fruits with a hint of spices. The best thing about this ale was the label on the bottle.

Pours a clear and rather pale red-amber with a rocky white head. Aroma is fruity and a bit sweet. Smells like an apple cider. Not much flavor at all. There is a light bitterness, and some fruity sweetness to balance it out. But I must say, it’s a bit disappointing. At least it’s refreshing. Very drinkable, but not a favorite.

Pours a crisp peach-amber with a 2-3 finger foamy light beige head that has great retention. and leaves decent lacing. Aroma is light citrus, toasted grain, a hint of toffee, light spices and mineral notes. Flavor is toasted nuts, toasted grain, light herbal and bitter hops pretty early on, some musty wood from the cellar, lots of planty hops, a little citrus and some salty/cheesy notes at the very end (not too unpleasant, but there). Palate light to medium bodied, a little over carbonated with a slightly slick entry leading to a drier, but still a touch slick finish. Not a bad brew, but the flavor is just a bit off and the slickness on the palate doesn’t fit the beer well.

Sampled from a 12 oz brown bottle this beer poured a bright orange-amber color with a huge yellow-white head. The aroma was faint tart citrus. The flavor was tart caramel apple with a tough of nutmeg underneath. Short finish, medium body. Rather bland and uninspired.

How the mighty have fallen. This beer is way over carbonated. Any flavor is caught in the maelstrom of fizz.

Very mild taste. Easy to drink. Very end of the drink comes in a slight malty undertone. This would be a good beer for someone who is graduating out of the mainstream beers into a higher quality of beer.