Sea Dog Winter Stock Ale

Draft sampled at brewpub. Pours a dark amber with a frothy off-white head. Aroma of caramel, malts, and some faint hops. Flavor is caramel maltiness with a touch of spice medium bodied with a smooth finish. Decent brew

Caramel apple aroma. Clear orange color with a small white head. Slightly sweet apple taste in the beginning with a thick finish.

(12oz bottle, BBE 10/08, labeled Sea Dog Winter Ale) Large and frothy off-white head atop crystal clear amber ale. Aroma is medium sweet, berry, some caramel/bread, faint earthy. Taste is medium sweet, caramel, earthiness that has metallic edges, some tart berry. Soft medium body with light acidity.

Date: 10/18/1997
Mode: Draft
Source: Brewpub

dark amber, good frothy head, spicy malt aroma, heavy body, malt flavor with a good amount of balancing bitterness that becomes more apparent as it warms, slight hint of spicy hops, 8% strength not apparent in body or esters,

Aroma: 5/10; Appearance: 8/10; Flavor: 5/10; Palate: 5/10; Overall: 10/20
Rating: 2.7/5.0
Score: *4
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The score was calculated based upon the notes and an old scoring system.

Dark amber-red translucent body that was just a hint of murkyness and about a half an inch of off-white head with good lacing and head retention. Smells like caramel malt and diacetyl. Roasted malt, diacetyl, and alcohol characterize the flavor, as well as some caramel and a hint of fruitiness (banana?). Medium-bodied. Body and flavor have a slight aqueous quality to them. The alcohol is less well-hidden than I’d like or expect, which hurts the drinkability somewhat. The alcohol isn’t overwealming though, and despite is small flaws, this is far and away the best Sea Dog beer I’ve ever had, and I’d definitely get this one again.

Bottle, from mug. Best by Dec ’06 (this month), so not exactly fresh. White head, highly aerated and short-lived, no lace. Dark, hazy, reddish-gold color. Complex aroma: malts are caramel and nuts; hops are floral, citrus and spruce; yeast is doughy; with a blast of buttery diacetyl on top. As a newbie I’ve not smelled much diacetyl, but this is the first time I enjoyed it; it seems to fit perfectly. Aroma really emerges as it sits. Mouth feels medium-full and slick, with lively carbonation. With its spicey bite up front and alcohol bite to the rear, it’s certainly not tame. Some nice big malt plows through from the back, but I had to drink two before I could appreciate it. The finish is strong cinnamon. As much as I enjoyed sniffing it, I can’t say I was crazy about the big spicey taste. I’m not a fan of spicey beer--spice is for cider. Strangely enough, I got no spice from the nose. Note: Mine is called "Sea Dog Winter Ale," as opposed to "Sea Dog Winter STOCK Ale." Same stuff though I’m sure. Hmm, my ratings are way too long for someone so green. The enthusiasm of inexperience? Sounds good.

(Bottle) Very nice burnt amber body crowned with creamy biscuit head. Weepy lacing. Aroma is some hops, not much else. Flavor is nice, mild malt well-balanced with hops. Mouthfeel smooth. Touch of bitter in finish. Very good, very drinkable.

Robust head with a brownish amber coloring. Lacing is covering far side of glass. Nutty malt aroma. Hops support malt flavor like laticework, reminiscent of English ales with a touch more bitter bite. A touch of spice and alcohol. Pleasant bitter caramel aftertaste. Will not hesitate to purchase again. Nice strong ale to go with the season.