Tag Archives: Winter Warmer

Beer Review #28: Columbus Brewing Co. Winter Warmer.

08 Thursday Nov 2012

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Appearance: A brilliant Amber/Red color, like an ember in a fireplace. Very reminiscent of the season. The beer is cloudy and has a thin white head that holds around the rim of the glass.

Smell: I get a very pleasantly mild hop aroma with cinnamon, and Christmas cookies or at least the spices associated with them. Again, reminiscent of the season.

Taste: Those spices come out very strong as soon as this beer hits the tongue. Lots of cinnamon, cloves maybe, and even nutmeg. A slight bitterness helps to cut through those strong  flavors and carries nicely into a just ever so slightly sweet malty aftertaste.

Overall: This was a good time in a bottle. It’s hard to not compare this to the Great Lakes Christmas Ale that I just rated the other night. Both are great, but I think I may prefer this one. I’m going to say 85/100 and hope that that’s similar to what I gave the Christmas Ale, but slightly higher. Columbus Brewing has won me over. Also, I recall being upset at the graphic design on the last bottle of beer I had from Columbus Brewing and I’m happy to report that this label looks a lot better. Really great all around. I will have to pay their brewery/restaurant a visit. It’s too close not to. Maybe do some reviews right at the bar. Mmmmmmm. (This got out of hand quickly.)

Up Next: Founders Breakfast Stout

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Beer Review #26: Great Lakes Brewing Co. Christmas Ale

07 Wednesday Nov 2012

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I am going to begin altering my scoring system a bit to take some of the randomness out of it. From now on I will award 25 points to appearance, 25 to smell, 25 to taste and save 25 points for those undefinable qualities. I will still only present the final score though. Just thought you’d like to know how this works. Let’s Go!

Appearance: I poured this into a chalice and I immediately thought of a red Christmas bulb. It’s a bit more amber colored than that, but it should give you a good idea. It’s truly perfect for this king of beer. The head is creamy and laces quite nicely on the glass.

Smell: I get a nice sweet maltiness and a lot of spice, almost the spices one would expect in a gingerbread cookie. Again, quite suitable.

Taste: I get that great maltiness and the spices carry through quite well. I’m getting cinnamon and nutmeg. This is a medium bodied beer with very little aftertaste, though it does coat the tongue nicely.

Overall: If I was reaching for something to keep me warm in the Winter this would definitely be a go to. 83/100. Great Lakes Brewing has been very, very good to me. I will have to get my hands on some of that Blackout Stout, but in the meantime…

Up Next: Magic Hat HI.P.A.