Samuel Smiths Winter Welcome Ale

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

Had at an Old Chicago for a Christmas mini-tour. A really nice beer from a brewery we all know and love.

It’s easy to forget that winter is a season longer than a few weeks when one lives in sunny Florida. I am certainly not complaining; I live here because I love the warm weather and sunshine. But, when it is sunny and warm in the wintery months of January and February, pouring oneself a Samuel Smith’s Winter Welcome Ale is a bit of a conundrum. I first fell in love with this particular ale a few years back when I came across it while in Rogers, AK for work. Being a dry county and seeing as our stay was for three weeks, many runs were made across the border to a wet county and one of the coolest liquor stores I have come across yet. It was there in the thrust of winter that I discovered this English classic, and each year since I look forward to its wintery release. I am happy to say that it hasn’t changed since and is still as good as ever.

She poured crystal clear burnt garnet while glints of burnt amber and mahogany polish her surface. A huge puffy head stands tall and proud before fading into a soft blanket. A faint shimmer of copper and mahogany highlight her already luxurious visage. Swirls leave generous trails of lace and release a bouquet of intoxicating wintery aromas. Crisp apples, pears, and plums ripe for picking delight while sun-soaked white raisins and pineapples transport me to the tropics. Giving her brisk nose depth and warmth is a generous helping of cinnamon, nutmeg, and powdered sugar while a buttery essence with honey part with a sweet kiss. Together, they meld and mix perfectly, reminding me of why I fell in love with her so long ago. The first of many quaffs is clean, crisp and replete with spices. The top of my tongue tingles while fresh crunchy pears, apples, kiwi, pineapples, and raisins delight. Honey coats my lips even as the winter spices start to dry the top of my tongue, creating a pleasant mouth-watering thirst which I am more than happy to oblige. Her buttery creaminess which was just a whisper in her nose is also but a whisper in her palate, melding with the gentle honey which lingers softly in the background. As my Winter Welcome Ale warms, our time together also diminishes. Far quicker than I would have liked, we must part. One last embrace of crunchy summer and tropical fruits with a sprinkling of spices finishes with a final kiss of sweet honey nectar atop toast.

There are quite a few winter beers that I look forward to every year and make it a point to buy. It would be close to impossible to buy all the winter beers that come out each year. Between cost and the reality of having to own a mansion, or climate-controlled warehouse, to put it all in, I find myself enjoying the pick and choose of the great Winter Beer quest each year. Make no doubt though, Samuel Smith’s Winter Welcome Ale will always be close to the top of my list.

2005-2006 Edition. This poured a very clear copper colour and was well carbonated, producing a modestly-sized foamy head, off-white in colour. The aroma of hops was clearly evident, even when standing away from the glass. Taste was mostly of hop with some underlying caramel. I quite liked this beer.

12 oz. bottle. Pours a clear amber-orange with a very small, foamy, white head. Slight off vinegar aroma, honey, and a little sweet maltiness in the nose. Medium carbonation with a medium mouthfeel. A hint of butter, honey, slightly sour malt, and a bit of earthiness on the palate. Medium-short finish. Not the best of their beers for sure, but not terribly offensive either.

Pours light amber with a small white head. Nose is malt, bread, banana, and honey. Very light flavor.

Bottle. Pours a golden amber body with an off white head. Nutty chew with some light bread y notes and nuttiness. Caramel malt and some light spices. Decent brew.

hard to rate this as it tastes exactly like I thought it would... British style maltyness with hints of fermentation. lacks body and foundation.

This is not what I expected from a winter ale, but the full body and balance for the brew was a nice change from others. This English is solid, but still drinkable, with a slight bitter, grassy twang a few moments after the sip. My only complaint is I wanted to be intised a little more because I didn’t get much aroma, though there was nothing out of place. Overall, one of the better Winter brews that won’t bloat you. Drink up.