Winters Bourbon Cask Ale

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

12 oz bottle. I’m a big fan of barrel aged beers, and vanilla as a flavoring in general, so I knew I was going to like this one. This isn’t the best example of a barrel aged beer, or one brewed with vanilla, but coming from AB, this is a good effort. AB seems to hold back on their "craft" beers, even when they are going after craft beer drinkers. I believe AB could have done better with this one. This beer pours to a beautiful, bright, deep amber color, with a soapy, white head that fades, and a good carbonation. The nose on this beer is pleasing, and becomes more aromatic and fragrant as it warms. Aromas of bourbon, oak, and sweet vanilla flood the nose. The palate is soft, and slightly slick on the tongue, with some toasty and carmel malt flavor. This beer finishes with more toasty and carmel malt flavor up front, then ends with a reallly delicious, sweet vanilla flavor that lingers. Would have liked a little more malt heft in body and flavor, but this is a well done beer, and I found it very enjoyable. I enjoyed the bourbon, oak, and espically the vanilla character in this beer. This beer would work very well with desert, or a nice beer to enjoy as a digestif after a big meal.

The very concept of a bourbon cask aged beer from Anheuser-Busch is possibly the most entertaining beer related concept ever. That being said, it’s not godawful, the vanilla flavor is okay and there’s a slight hoppiness to it. Can’t really taste any bourbon though.

Bottle. This accually is not a bad beer, it just has way too much artificial vanilla flavor to it. Deep orange in color with fizzy tan head. The flavor was malty and smooth but the vanilla flavor started to make me sick after awhile. Taste like alcoholic cream soda.

Ummm, I think thanks for sharing Yaniv! A darker golden clearish color with an offwhite head. GIANT sweet caramel nose. A bit one dimensional, but some toffee and vanilla seem to be thinly disguised. No real maltiness. Thin body, but the carbonation yields some creaminess. Disgustingly sweet flavor. Tastes like it smells, sort of. More like vanilla flavored chemicals. With some sort of vegetal aftertastes... DMS maybe? You’ve got to do a bit better than this Anheuser-Busch!

Smells like doggs beggin strips, weird smoky pork. Taste is all sweet synthetic vanilla. Very artificial toffee and sweetness. Fake beer.

Pours a clear dark copper color with a very fine head. Nose is rather one dimensional sweet malt. Taste is malty and mellow but has a cloying sweetness that is really overpowering. the vanilla bourbon flavor tastes rather forced. Body is a bit thin and fizzy.

pours a rich amber with a 1 inch fomay head. nice carbonation. Aroma of delicious malt and dough. Taste is very stong vanilla with a little spice, flour, and cookie taste. Most feel is a little sharp due to the vanilled spice but very quick. Finish is rich and vanillay.Clean lacing.

Faint unpleasant pet odor from a nice amber colored liquid. Decent vanilla taste is ruined by the thin mouthfeel and light tartness. Tastes thrown together in a flavor extract kind of way. $1/12oz