A Winter Warmer that could even warm the Grinch's heart.

Harpoon Brewery

Winter Warmer - 5.5% ABV

What a season for Winter Warmers! Gab and I finally get to review one together. It has been a long time since we were able to sit, cackle, and do what we do best...DRINK!

To really get the full effect of this Winter Warmer I like to rim the glass with some simple syrup, then dip into some cinnamon and sugar.  Once the brew is poured into the dressed glass, the white head rises to the top with flecks of cinnamon. The aroma rising from the amber colored beer is sweet with some spice.  The cinnamon from the beer and from the garnish really takes off.   After the head fades what is left is a gorgeous ambered colored beer with ample carbonation dancing to the top.  It almost brings tears to my eyes because it is such a beauty...sniff sniff.

After my inappropriate response to this stellar specimen, I had to redeem myself...fast!  Must DRINK!!!!  So, I did.  Once the glass reaches my lips the cinnamon and sugar take over and the medium to light bodied beer rolls perfectly over my taste buds.  A sweet taste from the sugar, a spice from cinnamon and nutmeg, then a sweet malty flavor kicks in just before a slight bitter end.  What a list of flavors this beer offers. 

Harpoon's Winter Warmer is a very drinkable beer that even non-beer drinkers can enjoy.  Even though  these people can not be trusted or do not have souls, they may be able to repent by drinking this fine beer. 

Obviously this is a seasonal beer and if you want to get it you must get to stepping NOW!!!!  Last week there were just two cases left in the isle.  Are you sweating and starting to panic?  You should.

Gab : I agree, this is the best winter warmer I've tried. It lacks the heaviness of Iron Hill's and is very drinkable. Perfect for long evenings spent by the fire in the company of best friends. 

Cheers!

K&G

The Tale of Two Christmas Ales

Tis the season to be on the hunt for the best of the best Winter Warmers.  I have tried several (shocking, I know) and to my delight I have not tossed any in the sink in disgust. 

Just to list a few...

Iron Hill Brewery - Winter Warmer

Flying Dog - K-9 Cruiser Winter Ale

Harpoon - Winter Warmer (My ultimate favorite)

Lancaster Brewing Company - Winter Warmer

All of the brews were pretty tasty and the Harpoon Winter Warmer is FANTASTIC! I serve it in a glass rimmed with a little simple syrup dipped in cinnamon and sugar.  Pure Christmas Bliss.

I would have liked to review each Winter Warmer but I decided  to pick just two and I thought the two with the same name was the ticket.  Christmas Ale by Great Lakes Brewery and St.Louis Brewery/Schlafly Bottleworks.

St.Louis Brewey/Schafly Bottleworks

Christmas Ale - 8% ABV

I happen to see it in the make your own six pack and thought, what the hell.  In the cart it went with a few other treasures. 

Hello, Christmas in a bottle!!!  Really!  I opened the bottle and instantly smelled orange and cloves.  The color of this bottle of Noel was a rich amber with a small creamy head.  It did not hold the head for long but it had a decent amount of carbonation.

I was not too sure with the orange action oozing from the bottle but the fist sip proved my intuition to be wrong!  What a well balanced, sweet, yet not too sweet, spiced, fruity, and just a drinkable beer. Oh, and with a respectable ABV of 8% I was feeling mighty festive after three bottles.

Great Lakes Brewing Company

Christmas Ale - 7.5% ABV

Even though they share the same name the two beers are completely different.  The Schafly Christmas Ale had an orange flavor that lingered with some clove but this number used honey, ginger, and cinnamon.  Great Lakes once again did not let me down.

After I emptied the bottle out into a glass. the head rose to at least 3 fingers high.  When the head slowly shrank a beautiful copper colored ale was left in the glass. 

The taste was constantly evolving.  I instantly tasted ginger, then honey, and last cinnamon.  The three flavors melted together to produce a well brewed ale.  Again, with a nice 7.5% ABV it left you no choice to feel all warm and fuzzy for Christmas.

So, if some of you faithful readers want to try a good Winter Warmer instead of trying to hide that obnoxious Elf on the Shelf try some of my picks!

Cherrs!

~K~





Iron Hill 2-year Anniversary

Anvil Ale 5.1% ABV

Iron Hill Brewery

2 Year Anniversary Celebration

It started out as a usual Saturday afternoon, but low and behold Iron Hill Brewery was in full swing at noon!  They were celebrating their two year anniversary! To celebrate this momentous day they were offering tours, raffles, free appetizers to Mug Club Members, and special releases. Oh, happy day!

I first saw they had my favorite, an oldie but goodie...Winter Warmer!  They called it “Christmas in July”, a bourbon-aged version of our Winter Warmer.  It was almost as good as I remembered!  In the winter, Iron Hill would rim the glass with a simple syrup and a mix of cinnamon and sugar, which in my opinion made it PERFECT!  Today they omitted the glass dressing, but the beer was on spot!  

Winter Warmer, a dark ale aged in used Bourbon barrels for four months! 8.0% APV

Next my hubs, Rob (the hop-lover that I am not) tried the Anvil Ale. (Pictured Above)

It was light in color, but it tasted like flowers!  The description in the menu was...

A medium -bodied, copper-colored,  English-style best bitter with a noticeable malt flavor. Finishes with hop bitterness and floral hop flavor.  It was $6.00 for 16 oz and at a 5.1% APV.

I did not like it at all, but Rob ordered not one but two glasses.  If you like hops, order this little number!

 Right before I was finishing my beer I spied Chris LaPierre, who is Iron Hill's Master Brewer in Maple Shade and I asked him for a tour of the brewery. He not only was extremely nice, he was also very knowledgeable.  He came over to our table and took my family for a tour.  He explained the process from start to finish and even had barley for us to see and sample.

After the tour I was ready to try another beer. I asked out server to try the Cannibal. The description was light in color and medium-bodied but complex in flavor. Unique Belgian yeast imparts notes of spice and tropical fruit. It was $5.25 for 12oz and packed a 7.5% ABV.  I again, a hop hater, did not like it.  It was not terrible but not what I would sit and drink.  I voiced my opinion to the server and she recommended the Hefeweizen. 

Hefeweizen  4.8% APV

Immediately after receiving the sample I noticed the color was a little cloudier and the aroma was more appealing to me. It was crisp and refreshing with a hint of citrus. The description in the menu was a traditional unfiltered Bavarian Wheat beer, light and effervescent. It starts off with a refreshing tangy-ness and finishes with a distant yeast character of banana and clove.  I personally did not pick up clove or the banana, but got the citrus flavor.  It was on my likey list for sure.  It was reasonably prices at $6.00 for 16oz.

Overall the trip to Iron Hill Brewery was, as always, a pleasure.  If you are ever in the mood for eclectic food and distinct craft brews, stop in for a spell.  They have several locations and an informative website too. I promise you will not be disappointed!

Cheers!

K