Follow Sean Inman to the best in craft beer
Not a huge fan of star anise because it has to be doled out in judicious amounts but this could really work as a winter warmer from Magic Hat. “Starlit is a true, robust English porter. Medium bodied and full of dark chocolate and caramel malt flavors. The finish is dried with lingering flavors of star anise and slight warmth of alcohol.”
No-Li Brewhouse Winter Warmer / Washington
“Coming in at 35 IBUs, and 7.5% ABV, Winter Warmer is a deep ruby-red beer with a thick creamy-white head. The aroma is sweet and malty with contrasting citrus hop profiles from Columbus, Cascade and Chinook hops. The Munich and Crystal malts impart a sweet candy-like flavor, with fruity esters and a spicy hop contrast. The flavors run deep and long, showing distinctive nutty-malt flavors at the end. The beer is very smooth and soft on the pallet.”
I have saved up Anchor Christmas beers from 2008 through this year’s version for a special taste test. Notes below are on each year as it tastes when opened in December of this year. Followed by a short video of the major tasting….
2008-2010
The 2008 has a mixture of a brandy or sherry / soy sauce. The head really holds up on this one. Lots of maple syrup and soy sauce in this one. I fear it’s prime is now way long past. And yet I still have 1 bottle for next year.
The 2009 is still woodsy. A touch of spruce is there. Lighter than the 2008 and a little crisp as well. Very much like the Steam beer just with age and spruce.
2010 has a lot of cider notes to it. It reminded me of some English beers that have a touch of that note in the back. It sticks to the tongue as well.
2011 – 2013
The ’11 is the worst smelling of the bunch. I get a little bit of tree note but then more cardboard. It is worse when cold. As it warms it does get better but it is the least of the bunch. Has some sour to it as well. Some light coffee notes in the back.
2012 has more of an espresso head to it. It is a mix of spruce and caramel. It is smooth and a little viscous. A touch of cider to it as well.
And here are my notes from last year when I did the vertical tasting……
2008
Very frothy pour with an espresso head. Aroma hints that this one may have passed prime tasting time. An old ale background with a touch of sour creeping in. Very British ale tasting.
2009
Another frothy beer. Both were stored standing up so I don’t think it was my cellaring technique. But this one had a much lighter head to it. Some minor roast notes and a little whisper of pine. That same sourness and apple cider taste is evident in this one as in 2008.
2010
This one poured better. More Belgian-y. Good sparkle to this one in comparison to the flatter beers form ’08 and ’09. More coffee acidity here. Again the tree and pine notes are only faint and way in the background.
2011
Dark with a brown ale backbone. Not much spice or flavor in the 2011. Even tastes a little thin. If the others did not stand up to aging then I fear for this one.
The Brewery – Harpoon
The Beer – Winter Warmer
The Details:
“Winter Warmer was Harpoon’s first seasonal beer. It was designed to be enjoyed during the holiday season.
When you bring a glass of this dark copper ale to your lips to take your first sip you will notice the aroma of cinnamon. There is no aromatic hop added that might overpower the distinct spice scent. The medium body of this beer is formed from caramel and pale malts. These create enough body to support the spices without making the beer excessively rich. Bittering hops are added to counter the sweetness of the malt and spice. The finish of the beer is a blend of cinnamon and nutmeg. The combination of these two spices results in a balanced, pumpkin-pie flavor.”
We travel to England for our next seasonal ale. And the English make some excellent warmers that don’t assault the palate.
Fuller’s makes Jack Frost which they describe as, “brewed with Crystal malt and a dash of blackberries, Jack Frost delivers a fruity, robust yet refreshing flavour that lingers long on the palate.”
I talked about Craft Cans now here is a can filled with a winter warmer.
Here is what the fine folks at 21st Amendment have to say about their winter seasonal…”Fireside Chat is a subtle twist on the traditional seasonal brew. We begin with a rich, dark ruby brown, English-style ale and then improvise with spices until we know we have a beer worth sharing with the nation. During Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s, Fireside Chat will brighten the faces of those who enjoy it, near the hearth or at the table. Its subtle blend of spices balances the malty ale and will make this a foodie’s favorite, as it pairs perfectly with holiday meals.”
This is the last Holiday Beer. The season went by fast didn’t it? I hope these posts gave you some ideas and I hope that you tried some of them. If you did, email me and let me know what you think. Cheers and have a great 2010!
ROSEY NOSEY
ABV 4.9%
Available
MID-NOVEMBER & DECEMBER
Tasting Notes
A dark complex and rich tasting beer with plenty
of roast malt character and generous hop flavour.
The Holiday Ale category is the all encompassing category. Porter? Sure. Dubbel? Why not. Imperial ESB? Ya’ Sure, ya betcha’
Winter Storm “Category 5” Ale
“Our ‘winter warmer’ ale, brewed with copious helpings of English malts plus US and English hops making it a ruddy hued “Imperial ESB” in style. Full malty flavors dancing with powerful hop aromas and a lingering, firm hop bitterness. Seasonally available from mid October to February.”
Hops: Magnum, Fuggles, Cascade, Centennial and Chinook Hops
Malts: Pale, Crystal, Carapils and Munich malts
ABV: approx. 7.5%
Jolly Pumpkin is getting wider distribution which is good and I sure hope this beer is under the tree in three days!
Noel de Calabaza – Deep mahogany and malty, layered hops, figs, raisins, sugar plums, cashews betwixt rum laden truffles.
Seasonal released in December
9% Alc.
MacTarnahan’s has been putting out some really off the wall beers of late. They are playing catch-up and it seems to be working.
“You know he’s arrived. Wheeling through the party, being too loud, crowding the buffet, lurking under the mistletoe and spilling cheer. He’s a lot like this beer. Its dark malt body and rich roasted flavor will unravel your ribbons and leave you wanting more. Too bad it only comes once a year. Good thing is there’s plenty more where it came from.”
Malts: Caramel, Black Roast, Wheat and Oats
Hops: Northern Brewer and Willamette
Bitternes: 27 IBU
Alcohol By Volume: 5.3%
