Lost Coast - Winterbraun

Our final winter ale is Winterbraun from the Lost Coast Brewery, purchased at Vintage Estates.

"Enjoy the full body and rich chocolate taste of Winterbraun. Brewed with American pale malt and a mixture of caramel and chocolate malts, with Czech Saaz hops added to give a unique spicy flavor and aroma." This '98 Silver Medal award winning beer is 6.8% ABV.

Overall average rating: 7.8/10

This is a red beer with a slowly diminishing caramel head with lacing on the glass. It has just a little aroma, considering what the label boasts - hints of wheat, malt, light piney hop, and maybe brown sugar or molasses. There is definitely more taste than smell. There is a ginger taste with a hop finish; the two go very well together.

Shawn- It has a warming feel, and it develops as you drink it. It's as impressive as the http://twoguysagirlandahangover.blogspot.com/2011/11/saranac-pumpkin-ale.html with its surprising and unexpected flavor. I wish there was a little more nose, however, 8/10.

Angela- I like the slight chocolate caramel flavor, and it is the best winter ale we've tasted, in my opinion. I expected more aroma, but it is yummy and drinkable, 7.75/10.

Chris- I have never heard of this beer, but I will definitely drink it again, 7.75/10.

Great Divide - Hibernation Ale

Our next winter ale is Great Divide Hibernation Ale purchased at Vintage Estates.

This is an award-winning malty, robust, English-style old ale. This "has been our celebrated winter tradition since '95. This robust, dry-hopped ale has a malty richness balanced with a complex hop profile and hearty, warming character." Suggested food pairings include Romano, an aged hard Dutch cow's milk cheese, grilled beef tenderloin, apple crisp with ginger ice cream. It is 8.7% ABV.

Overall average rating: 7.4/10

This pours red with a nice white, sustaining head. The aroma is a deep, delicious caramel malt, reminding Shawn of the malt room at the Great Lakes brewery. We also smell a touch of molasses, a little cinnamon, and a little nutmeg which may be from how the malt is roasted. The flavor primarily is a rich caramel malt with a kind of chocolate/caramel flavor that fades into a hop finish, flavors which complement each other well.

Shawn- This beer has a Great Lakes taste, but with better water. It is rich and complex and develops nicely, 7.5/10.
Angela- It is rich and malty and a great cold weather beer that has a nice warming effect, 7.25/10.
Chris- This is less malty than the last time I had it, so my score is based on improvement over time, 7.5/10.

Pyramid - Snow Cap Winter Warmer

Our next winter ale is Pyramid Breweries' Snow Cap Winter Warmer purchased at Vintage Estates.

This is a winter seasonal full-bodied winter ale. "Life is what you pour into it. Your thirst for life demands an offering that can match it. With the artistry of our brewing, we've created in every bottle an adventure worth sharing with friends." It is 7% ABV.

Overall average rating: 6.1/10

This is dark red in color with an off-white head. The aroma is of citrus hop, caramel, molasses, coriander, and ginger. The taste has a rich hop finish - it smells hoppier than it tastes.

Shawn- The hop finish develops more while you drink it, and I think it tastes better than it smells. The more I drink, the more the hop developed instead of being hop forward, 6.5/10.
Angela- There is a slight hop taste, but it's not overwhelming. It is drinkable and not bad overall, 6/10.
Chris- This is heavier than the Weyerbacher, and I actually pull more out of the smell than the taste, 6/10.

Weyerbacher - Winter Ale

Our third winter ale is Weyerbacher Winter Ale purchased at Vintage Estates.

The label shows very happy snowmen carrying boxes of beer :) "Weyerbacher Winter Ale is the perfect libation for a winter meal, with good friends, or beside a warm fire fending off a cold winter night." It is 5.6% ABV.

Overall average rating: 5.0/10

It pours a deep amber red with a quick to diminish head. It gives off aromas of caramel, malt, honey, molasses, cinnamong, ginger, and a touch of nutmeg. The taste is very thin with flavors of caramel and malt.

Shawn- This is thin and it doesn't develop; it is unmemorable. I wouldn't rank any other Weyerbacher beer below a 7, but this is my least favorite of their beers, 4.5/10.
Angela- This is also my least favorite Weyerbacher beer. This is very average for them, and while it's drinkable, it's not very memorable, although it gets better as it warms, 5/10.
Chris- It starts out thick, but thins out quickly, 5.5/10.

New Holland - Cabin Fever Brown Ale

Next up is New Holland's Cabin Fever Brown Ale, purchased at Vintage Estates.

The label has a log cabin in the snowy woods with smoke coming out of the chimney - looks like a nice place to hibernate for the winter :) The beer has hints of rye, roast and raisin which mix with a subtle caramel sweetness. This should be paired with roasted meats, dried fruits, gruyere and smoked cheeses. it is 16 P and 6% ABV.

Overall average rating: 6.5/10

This pours a reddish brown with a carbonated caramel head. The aroma is of caramel, molasses, and a faint rye scent. The taste is very similar with flavors of caramel and malt with a side tongue bite and back of the tongue lingering.

Shawn- This beer gives a warming sensation, but it doesn't develop enough. I'm not a fan of the big hop finish, 6.5/10.
Angela- The finish is different with the hops with the caramelly malt flavor, but I don't get as much hop flavor as Shawn. It's a thick and good cold weather beer, 6.5/10.
Chris- This is a fairly thick brown ale, very fitting for the name, 6.5/10.

Sam Adams - Winter Lager

Our second winter ale is Sam Adams Winter Lager, purchased at Vintage Estates. (We highly recommend purchasing the seasonal holiday 12 pack if you can find it - it's a great buy!)

This is a malt beverage brewed with spices and is a classic holiday tradition. "Subtly spiced with a blend of freshly ground cinnamon, orange and ginger for a rich, satisfying brew that will make winter seem a little warmer." -Jim Koch.

Overall average rating: 7.6/10

This is a carbonated, red beer with aromas of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and citrus (perhaps orange zest, as it's not an overly sweet smell). We taste cinnamon, nutmeg, and orange zest. It is balanced and not too hoppy - the hop is mainly tasted on the finish. It really tastes like what the label says it will.

Shawn- The first thing I said was that it "looks warm and inviting." It is extrememly well-balanced, 8/10.
Angela- I like the citrusy ginger bite, and I think this is good and very drinkable, 7.25/10.
Chris- I like this more than the Sam Adams Boston Lager, as there are more flavors in this than the other Sam Adams beers, 7.5/10.

J.K.'s Solstice Hard Cider Farmhouse Organic

"Give me Yesterday's Bread, this Day's Flesh, and last Year's Cyder." -Benjamin Franklin

Our first Winter ale is J.K.'s Solstice Hard Cider Farmhouse Organic purchased at Vintage Estates.

The ingredients are fresh apple juice, maple syrup, vanilla, cinnamon, and yeast - no sulfites are added. It is USDA organic and gluten free. It is 6.9% ABV.

Overall average rating: 8.9/10

It pours a straw yellow, like apple juice. It is slightly cloudy and traslucent with no carbonation. We smell apple, cinnamon, and honey. The taste is crisp and smooth, and we don't taste alcohol at all. The other flavors are very complimentary to the apple flavor. This reminds Shawn and I of the cider at White House Fruit Farm.

Shawn- This reminds me of winter even though apples are more of a fall flavor. I really didn't think I'd like ciders, but this brewery is great, 9/10.
Angela- The slight vanilla flavor gives the cider a creaminess that's very yummy, 8.5/10.
Chris- I taste at least three kinds of apples, but I expected more carbonation. Honestly though, I have to nitpick to truly find flaws with this cider, 9.25/10.