Christian Moerlein Christkindl Winter Warmer - Christian Moerlein Brewing Company

schnell

Ohio

3.38/5  rDev -10.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A friend bought over a six of Winter Warmer for New Years. I had not heard of the brewery let alone the beer. I sat on the six for a few weeks and tried it over the weekend.

There are few winter beers that grab me. Great Lakes Xmas and Sierra Nevada Celebration are my standbys. Over the past month or so I have been really into Flying Dog Ragging Bitch. As a result, my I quickly picked up some of the belgium qualities in this beer, which was unexpected. Also unexpected was the APV. I drank a bottle and had to look up the value on the Advisor since it ws stronger then I expected.

Overall,It is pretty decent though I probably won't go out of my way to buy it.

Serving type: bottle

01-25-2012 03:51:59 | More by schnell

Bill235

Ohio

3.75/5  rDev -0.8%

05-09-2013 21:30:37 | More by Bill235

TheBeerAlmanac

Kentucky

2.75/5  rDev -27.2%

03-18-2013 22:18:39 | More by TheBeerAlmanac

Kavran

Ohio

4/5  rDev +5.8%

03-09-2013 05:34:45 | More by Kavran

norinco

Ohio

3.75/5  rDev -0.8%

02-18-2013 17:01:01 | More by norinco

mwar

Kentucky

4/5  rDev +5.8%

02-10-2013 21:30:41 | More by mwar

ChuckSchick

2.75/5  rDev -27.2%

01-25-2013 13:51:40 | More by ChuckSchick

Brew33

Ohio

3/5  rDev -20.6%

01-22-2013 20:10:30 | More by Brew33

Lukass

Ohio

4.5/5  rDev +19%

12-22-2012 17:57:01 | More by Lukass

bmoney

Ohio

3.75/5  rDev -0.8%

12-17-2012 03:49:32 | More by bmoney

Groomsy

Kentucky

3.58/5  rDev -5.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Fresh batch for 2012, woop! 12. oz bottle poured into a nonic.

This winter warmer pours a beautiful clear scarlet with hints of amber and orange. Topped by a two-finger head of tightly knit khaki bubbles, strings and webs of lacing are left on the glass. A great-looking beer.

While many expect winter warmers to be heavy on the spices (in America, anway), this one is surprisingly malt-forward. The most obvious smells are toffee and caramel, with some bread backing. Some slightly citrusy hops hang in the balance with just a pinch of holiday spices such as ginger and cinnamon. While not exploding in aroma, this fits the style well and is fitting for the season. However, based on the appearance of the beer, I was really expecting more aroma, especially for this kind of beer.

Per the style, the malt presence is heavy on this one. Sweetness pervades with flavors of fresh bread, caramel, grain, and just a *slight* hint of chocolate and nuts. The spice flavors are more implied by the hops than any actual spices used (if there are any). There's just enough balance from some citrusy/herbal hops to keep the sweetness in check. A warming sensation definitely comes from the alcohol, but I would say that it's well-masked in this beer. It finishes with some lingering earthy flavors and bitterness. Well-balanced, and a good traditional take on the winter warmer style.

The body on this is thick and heavy, as expected. Crisp and drying finish, mostly from the alcohol. Flavors don't linger too long, and low carbonation makes it go down smooth.

I find it interesting that Moerlein can fall below the mark with certain styles but excel at others. In this case, they've played it safe and have succeeded. It's good to have a straight malt-bomb in the winter against all of the other heavily spiced and boozy beers. Well-done. A sessionable winter warmer.

Serving type: bottle

12-15-2012 01:16:29 | More by Groomsy

brandonati

Ohio

3.75/5  rDev -0.8%

12-06-2012 23:44:37 | More by brandonati

JimmyFlatRock

Ohio

3.5/5  rDev -7.4%

12-03-2012 23:51:55 | More by JimmyFlatRock

CoryJHarber

Ohio

3.5/5  rDev -7.4%

10-18-2012 20:54:49 | More by CoryJHarber

profholt82

Ohio

3.5/5  rDev -7.4%

07-10-2012 16:53:31 | More by profholt82

BFC84

4.5/5  rDev +19%

07-08-2012 16:48:19 | More by BFC84

jaay

3.75/5  rDev -0.8%

05-11-2012 19:35:21 | More by jaay

OtsegoHive

Kentucky

4/5  rDev +5.8%

05-08-2012 16:55:36 | More by OtsegoHive

greybeardloon

Rhode Island

3.8/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

11236 at the end of a code stamped on the bottle, presumably the Julian bottling date

A: Very attractive clear, dark red with good retention.

S: Brown sugar and yeast spiciness. Quite appealing.

T: Much like the nose, but with an almost crisp finish from hop bitterness. Tastes spicy but not really spiced.

M: Medium with a dry finish.

O: Not a bad beer, and worth drinking again, but not really remarkable.

Serving type: bottle

05-02-2012 02:27:29 | More by greybeardloon

durwood64

Ohio

4.25/5  rDev +12.4%

04-07-2012 23:32:46 | More by durwood64

iL0VEbeer

New Jersey

4/5  rDev +5.8%

03-09-2012 04:58:28 | More by iL0VEbeer

EddieJoe

4.5/5  rDev +19%

03-03-2012 18:39:26 | More by EddieJoe

tdmccarthy

Illinois

1.5/5  rDev -60.3%

02-22-2012 03:57:47 | More by tdmccarthy

cynical1027

Ohio

3/5  rDev -20.6%

02-21-2012 02:26:07 | More by cynical1027

meanmutt

Ohio

4/5  rDev +5.8%

02-05-2012 20:48:10 | More by meanmutt