Woodstock Inn Wassail

Brewed by Woodstock Inn Brewery
Style: English Strong Ale
North Woodstock, New Hampshire USA

on tap-pours a dissipating tan head and copper/red color. Aroma is medium fruit, spice, some medium malt. Taste is spice, tart fruit-cherry/apple.

Pours copper with a white head. Smells of sage, earthm tea, some dark fruit. Tastes spicy and peppery with some earthy hints, caramel and a restrained, fruity finish.

(Review from January 2009): 12oz bottle from Barb’s Beer Emporium in Concord. Pours a translucent brown body with no head to speak of. Smells nutty, slightly spicy, and buttery. Nut and spice dominate the flavor, with fairly strong suggestions of butter and alcohol. Medium in both mouthfeel and carbonation. That, in conjunction with the flavors being a bit more harsh than I would expect for the style, makes this a bit of a sipper. Overall, an okay winter warmer, no more, no less.

Bouteille de 12 oz, rapportée du New Hampshire par Suzanne. Arômes de caramel et de fruits rouges, présence d’alcool. Robe cuivrée et claire, peu de mousse et effervescence à grosses bulles. Plutôt mince en bouche, un léger malt caramel et une touche fruitée mènent à une amertume plutôt agressive et à une présence très forte d’alcool. Manque de corps et est un peu déséquilibrée.

Walnut brown pour, light aroma of malt, some toasted caramel as well. sweet molasses flavor with some booziness. not unpleasant, a little sweet though.

Dark brown pour with red tints, minimal head. Aroma is surprisingly light, with a bit of caramel malt, roasted malt, and citrus. Flavor is very sweet, with molasses, dark fruit especially raisin, and caramelized sugars. Finish was odd to me- sweetness became a bit cloying at that point, too sweet certainly for an english strong. Slightly thin, but overall a decent beer.

Garnett brown pour with lively two finger beige head that dissipates into one. Aroma is caramel malt and hints of grapefruit citrus. Some grainy and floral notes are also evident. Flavor is predominantly residual sugars in to form of caramel and molasses, with the slightest of a citrus hop balance and fully noticeable boozy quality. Palate is a bit on the thin side, especially considering the style, ending slightly dry and alcoholic.

Draft at brewpub. Multiple tastings. I have had everything they have to offer as we come here often for dinner while in the area. As with their food, the beer is OK but nothing spectacular. In fact, most of their beers are in my opinion, sub-par. This is the one I would consider to be their best.