Innis & Gunn Winter Beer 2012 - Innis & Gunn

TimHitchings

New Jersey

3.5/5  rDev -4.6%

03-19-2013 00:39:49 | More by TimHitchings

Hoptopher

Tennessee

3.75/5  rDev +2.2%

05-24-2013 04:04:39 | More by Hoptopher

Flounder57

Massachusetts

3.79/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

11.2 oz beer was poured into a pint glass.

Appearance: This beer poured a small off white head that reduced to a thin layer. It is a pitch dark brown and copper color with some clarity and bubbles coming up through the glass.

Smell: Oak, vanilla, toffee, molasses, bready, and maltiness.

Taste: Same as above. Not getting much but get the wheat and crystal malts for sure. Any hint of chocolate got lost in the cask.

Mouthfeel: Smooth, a little dry, light bodied, medium carbonation, and boozy taste even though it is only from the oak cask aging.

Overall: For an English porter, this one was tasty. It seems as if any oak aging will ultimately improve a beer and give it more complex flavors like this one.

Serving type: bottle

05-15-2013 07:03:00 | More by Flounder57

bckayaalp

New York

3.75/5  rDev +2.2%

05-13-2013 03:15:13 | More by bckayaalp

Jade

Ohio

3.5/5  rDev -4.6%

05-11-2013 02:20:12 | More by Jade

ajtorres311

Florida

3/5  rDev -18.3%

05-10-2013 16:59:43 | More by ajtorres311

NastyNate11

North Carolina

3.5/5  rDev -4.6%

05-08-2013 22:16:26 | More by NastyNate11

Heavenisbeer

Georgia

3.03/5  rDev -17.4%
look: 2.75 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 2.75

A: Translucent copper with an ephemeral, tawny head; not a good look to this, as it's a porter.

S: Rumcake, butter, prunes, and dark cherries. A bit better than its looks.

T: And it gets progressively better. Boozy cherries, rum notes, grassy hops, and amaretti cookies (almond). Some dull, charred malted barley on the finish. Still not very true to porter form.

M: This beer is definitely a stepcousin of the traditional porter, and its shunning of tradition continues in the feel. Watery, a touch of spiciness, and some light carbonation.

Serving type: bottle

05-08-2013 03:22:21 | More by Heavenisbeer

dacrza1

New Jersey

4.23/5  rDev +15.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.25

date reviewed: 1 February 2013...
glassware: innis & Gunn tulip...
occasion: prep for Quiz Bowl tournament at Phillipsburg...
appearance: velvet purple body that bolsters a soft, short, creamy white head; cloudy smears of head move down the glass...
aroma: sweet, almost minty (!) freshly syrupy scents; a complex bouquet that wine enthusaists would claim as their own....
palate: a bit of a burn at the finish; dryish and smoother than expected; the alcohol is palpable,, not put-offish...
taste: hops are winey, with a grapelike pucker; some toasted flavors and the malts are peaty; worthwhile investment...
overall: another strong offering for the oddity that is Innis & Gunn; this is fuller but more subdued than the others in their lineup--uniqueness is a draw,, but this brewery's substance has outstripped its niche and nuance ...

Serving type: bottle

05-05-2013 05:00:41 | More by dacrza1

schaffer9252

New York

3.75/5  rDev +2.2%

05-04-2013 14:53:30 | More by schaffer9252

tigg924

Massachusetts

4.26/5  rDev +16.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Poured into a Sam Adams perfect pint glass

Appearance: light brown in color, 1/2 inch head, high carbonation, clear

Smell: smell is amazing: brown sugar, oak, rum, vanilla, and light chocolate

Taste: oak, vanilla, toasted malt, and some holiday spicing--cinnamon is in there for sure.

Mouthfeel: high carbonation, light body, sweet with oakiness

Overall: I am a fan of Innis and Gunn beers. This one does not disappoint. The smell is amazing and complex. This has just enough holiday spice in the taste to make me think winter, but not enough to distract from the oak or make me think spice bomb. I will look forward to next year's winter beer.

Serving type: bottle

04-29-2013 13:51:54 | More by tigg924

scootny

New York

3.98/5  rDev +8.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

A somewhat dense creamy head rising up from a firm pour. Clear chestnut brown fluid. Decent lacing here and there with a light covering remaining after a few minutes. Aromas of dark fruits and a bit of overripe banana. Sugary molasses and brown bread. Taste is much the same with a toffee tinged dark roasted malt flowing through. Notes of vanilla, a bit of oak, and a subdued mineral edge in the light, earthy hop bitterness. A touch of alcohol that is well integrated and gives a sweetness in the finish. A velvety feel over the tongue and a light syrupy consistency giving a nice weight. Carbonation is spot on with a mild effervescence. A vibrant and dynamic taste that brings many traditional flavors to the fore while melding them into a highly drinkable ale. A really nice overall beer for the colder months with a full flavor and satisfying drink experience.

Serving type: bottle

04-02-2013 21:44:56 | More by scootny

TheBeerAlmanac

Kentucky

3.5/5  rDev -4.6%

04-01-2013 13:34:10 | More by TheBeerAlmanac

Foam

Pennsylvania

3.7/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

Got a single bottle to try as it was on sale for $1.50 . Hard to pass up.
At first sniff and taste, reminds me of a "jack & coke" cocktail . Whiskey & cola, in other words... Definite soda-pop like sweet-ness and oak-barrel essences. The molasses is evident, as well . I'm eager to try Innis & Gunn's other offerings . Not a session beer for sure . Something to pair with beef or other heavy food as far as i'm concerned .

Serving type: bottle

03-31-2013 22:06:51 | More by Foam

BEERMILER12

Maine

3.79/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

Best By SEP2013

A: Pours a mahogany color with almost no head that quickly reduces to absolutely nothing

S: Lightly roasted malts, toffee, bready malts, banana, molasses, lightly spicy, light oak, and vanilla

T: Follows the nose. Starts off with huge notes of toffee and banana, followed by lightly roasted malts, vanilla, cinnamon, molasses, and oak

M: Medium bodied with moderate carbonation

O: I usually don't expect or see such huge banana notes in a porter, but it works with this beer. The 39 days in barrels imparts a light oak which compliments the beer nicely. At less than $2 for a single, there's no reason why you shouldn't try this beer

Serving type: bottle

03-31-2013 21:30:32 | More by BEERMILER12

jazzyjeff13

United Kingdom (England)

3.5/5  rDev -4.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A 330ml clear glass bottle with a BB of Sept 2013. Comes in a decorative box. Picked up a little while back from Trembling Madness in York. A limited edition beer for the winter months - I&G seem to be doing more one-offs like this recently.

Poured into a tulip pint glass. A dark, clear reddish-brown colour with medium carbonation. Forms a small, off-white head of foam that lasts for a minute or two before dissipating. Aroma of fruity malt mingled with spirits and tannins. Notes of banana, fruity yeast esters, oak, vanilla, solventy alcohol (rum-like), brown sugar, aged malt and stewed leaves. Somewhat herbal and medicinal, with a lingering sweetness. Complex but not great.

Tastes of sweet, boozy malt with a woody, leafy character and a dry finish. Notes of oak, tannins, fruity yeast esters, banana, brown sugar/molasses, dark malt and stewed leaves. Slightly sweet with a fairly hot, alcoholic kick. A rather harsh woody/herbal bitterness upon swallowing. Mouthfeel is smooth and lightly spicy, with prickly carbonation. A bit thin for the style - body could do with amping up somewhat. Quite astringent, with an aftertaste of bitter herbs/leaves, oak and molasses.

Interesting idea but subpar execution. It's surprisingly light-coloured for a porter; it more closely resembles a strong ale. The treacle doesn't seem to have much presence - just a hint in the flavour. Overly woody and boozy. What this needs is a sturdy malt backbone to which other taste components are added; instead we get the reverse. The result is unbalanced, in addition to having a watery body that doesn't match the flavour. It does have a degree of complexity going for it, but that doesn't make it a great beer. Nothing too special - no need to seek it out.

Serving type: bottle

03-24-2013 00:27:06 | More by jazzyjeff13

ejh06752

New York

3.5/5  rDev -4.6%

03-23-2013 22:42:05 | More by ejh06752

jonathaniler

Florida

2/5  rDev -45.5%

03-21-2013 00:37:17 | More by jonathaniler

TwoForty

Florida

2/5  rDev -45.5%

03-21-2013 00:17:53 | More by TwoForty

kangarooAdam59

Pennsylvania

3.19/5  rDev -13.1%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25

On the box, it came in, it says best by Sep 2013:

Into the Innis & Gunn tulip (I purchased along with the other two beers):

A: dark brown body with a slight transparency along the edges, half finger white head concaves slowly in the middle, no lacing

S: molasses up front, malts come forth once the beer warms a bit, slight brown sugar

T: sweet and toasty through previously mentioned flavors

M: medium, sessionable, carbonated just right, slick sweet aftertaste and finish

O: yup, its an English Porter, alright, good for the style, but kinda sweet for me, unsure if I'd have this again

Serving type: bottle

03-13-2013 20:07:33 | More by kangarooAdam59

Chevelle66

New Jersey

4/5  rDev +9%

03-12-2013 22:26:47 | More by Chevelle66

roadhouse

Florida

4.25/5  rDev +15.8%

03-12-2013 03:48:20 | More by roadhouse

rpenterics

Michigan

3.75/5  rDev +2.2%

03-11-2013 15:41:57 | More by rpenterics

Mikecap

Rhode Island

3.5/5  rDev -4.6%

03-10-2013 15:19:18 | More by Mikecap

brureview

Massachusetts

4.28/5  rDev +16.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

My first Innis and Gunn beer. I wasn't expecting much, but I was pleasantly surprised.

The key to this beer is serving it a the recommended temp: 39-42F(4-6C). I put it in the freezer for 15 minutes, and then in the fridge. The temp was at 41F.

The beer poured a nice dark tea color in a stein. A stein can bring out a fuller flavor with this style of beer.

Oak, (rum?) molasses in the smell which was more pronounced with a bit of warming.

Mouth feel was lightly carbonated.

Taste was excellent and complemented the aroma. Oak, molasses, (rum?) some tartness.

This is a damn good beer served in the right glass and at the right temp.

Serving type: bottle

03-06-2013 02:34:24 | More by brureview