Winters Bourbon Cask Ale

Brewed by Anheuser-Busch InBev
Style: Spice/Herb/Vegetable
St. Louis, Missouri USA

I have a dozen or so Winter/Christmas brews lined up to drink and decided to include this beer from Anheuser-Busch just to be fair... Winter’s Bourbon Cask Ale pours a clear red-copper color with a respectable foamy off-white head. There is a mild to moderate level of visible carbonation. Vanilla dominates the aroma with a hints of wood in the background. The most apropos description of the flavor that comes to mind is vanilla cream soda. After the initial flood of vanilla, some light roasted caramel maltiness and wood chip flavors surface. The flavor is moderately sweet and finishes somewhat more dry. Medium palate, not overly carbonated, slightly watery from time to time. Overall this really isn’t a terrible beer. Yes, it might be gimmicky and nothing spectacular, but at least the macrobreweries are trying to make something different. I can’t fault them for that... 12 oz bottle. Born on date: 13OCT06 DE77.

very much the taste of vanilla extract which is kinda weird for a beer. but considering it’s anheuser busch, i can’t expect too much. but it was good considering the makers. the best of the AB bunch so far which ain’t saying much

Had on tap at the airport in Ft. Collins. Much better than what you could expect going in. Can definitely notice the vanilla and bourbon effects. Decent stuff.

Woo, yuck. Pours a decent looking reddish color but with a small fading head. The aroma is strong of bubblegum, and a little vanilla. The flavor is sticky sweet with alot of bubblegum, some banana, and even though that sounds like a nice belgian strong, its nothing like that. Cloying and weird. A bit on the thin side but that’s hardly the main problem here. Undrinkable.

The only other burbon aged ale I have had was from Goose Island. For a major maker of beer AB seems to have made a great beer. It is on tap at the LONE STAR in Gurnee. Bartender said it was for sale at Cardinal Liquors down the road, but they didn’t have any.

12 oz. bottle. Pours a crystal clear red with a thin head that disappeared after a few sips. Light but pleasant aroma of vanilla, malt, and a touch of bourbon. Flavor is also on the light side but pleasant with vanilla and caramel out front and a hint of bourbon lurking in the background. A bit thin and a little too sugary. This combination of ingredients could result in a splendid beer. I think this beer is a step in the right direction but falls a bit short.

12 oz bottle from a distributor friend. Not for resale black and white label. Pours ruby-amber with minimal head. Light fig and malt aroma. The flavor is nothing to write home about, and I attribute the drinkablity to the fact that I was already intoxicated. The first and second time I had this I poured it out. This time I seem to have been more forgiving. Malty with hints of fig and dried fruit. I also note fake caramel flavoring, butterscotch, vanilla, and just maybe a hint of that bourbon they allude to (but cheep). Body is medium and slick. Oh well, I’m glad I only have a bottle or two of this left. I’ll send it out for trades as a labeling novelty.

Medium amber colored. medium foamy head. Hugh aromas of vanilla, caramel, and artificial bourbon flavors as well. Tastes like vanilla coke-water (you know, when your ice melts in your glass of coke) . AWFUL.