Christian Moerlein Christkindl Winter Warmer - Christian Moerlein Brewing Company

telefrog

Ohio

4.2/5  rDev +11.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Bought in a mixed-six at River's Bend in Lebanon to see if I'd like it enough to buy a 6-pack. Poured a reddish-amber with a nice foamy head. It smells great, but not what I expected from a "Christmas Ale." It had a very fresh hop/malt aroma. Slight chocolate and holiday spice flavors with a very nice hop finish. I was surprised. Very drinkable and no alcohol bite; I would personally like to see a little more ABV in a winter beer.

Serving type: bottle

11-28-2007 22:19:57 | More by telefrog

pumarocks

Ohio

3.18/5  rDev -15.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Picked up this bad boy at the local grocery store. I usually give anything Christian Moerlein makes a chance so here it goes..

For a winter warmer, I am a little disappointed. I was hoping the alcohol content would be higher and the taste a little bolder. Don't get me wrong, this is a very drinkable beer. I could easy knock back two on a cold winters' night no problem. The label states there is a spicy chocolaty flavor. I did not pick up on this. Tastes like your standard ale but with understated hop character. The after taste is lasting and enjoyable. Has a nice reddish color. will try other Christian Moerlein offerings but will sample other winter warmers.

Serving type: bottle

11-28-2007 14:43:10 | More by pumarocks

icapturpix

Ohio

4.47/5  rDev +18.3%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

I just picked up a sixer from Kroger and I have to say I am very impressed with this seasonal from the boys at Moerlein. First I will say the package jumped of the shelf and said buy me. I always enjoy the artwork and interesting story that Moerlein tells. This was no exception.

The first thing I noticed after I opened Christkindl is the aroma. It has a very appealing smell. You pick up a touch of holiday spice and a little bit of a chocolate coming through.

The appearance is a redish brown. The head was tight and left a decent lace on the glass.

The taste has a little bit of hops up front that really implies the presence of holiday spices. It has a very balanced malt body that finishes with a very subtle dark chocolate flavor.

I noticed this was more evident as the beer was exposed to air. This is pretty common for a very I mean very fresh beer. The hops begin to mellow and let the malt flavors come through.

I really enjoyed this Winter Warmer. It lived up to the hype and I feel it is only going to get better as it ages, that is if it has a chance. A beer that looks and tastes this good is going to fly off the shelf. I would get it while it lasts.

By the way check out an article on Greg Hardman the owner of Christian Moerlein. He is the cover story in the Nov-Dec issue of Cincinnati Gentlemen magazine on the shelves right now. Its a pretty good read and makes you want to support your local brewer.

Serving type: bottle

11-17-2007 21:24:58 | More by icapturpix

TheBierBand

Ohio

4.13/5  rDev +9.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

hehehe... pimpp... ya beat me by a couple days!.... you're right on top of all things Cincinnati!

I got a sixer of this at the Kroger grocery store in Amelia. I cracked into the 12 oz brown bottle and poured into a pint glass. The off white head rose up to a perfect 1" of pillowy foam. The beer has a deep amber color with a hint of red.

The aroma is rather slight but I could pick up a toasted malt and some sweetness like caramel or chocolate....or both.

The Taste: Let me explain that my first Winter Warmer of the season was Harpoon Winter Warmer. All that I could taste with that one was cinnamon and nutmeg fighting for dominance.... I didn't like it. BUT, Christan Moerlein Christkindl Winter Warmer is what a Winter Warmer should be.... excellent. Sweet chocolate malty taste with a SLIGHT spicy back-up and a clean ever-so-slight hop finish.

Mouthfeel: Smooth and creamy.... I would say just a touch under robust. appropriate carbonation.

Drinkability: I will try some other Winter Warmers.... but this one will be kept in constant supply in my beer fridge.... I would be proud to serve this to my discerning holiday guests. Cincinnati BA's - Get ot there and support your local brewer and pick yourself up some of this.

Serving type: bottle

11-15-2007 23:26:15 | More by TheBierBand

pwoods

Ohio

3.88/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12oz. brown bottle purchased at Biggs on Colerain pouted into a pint. No dating but this is as fresh as it gets.. not even listed on their website yet.

A: Deep rusty reddish brown with a short finger head. Good retention, lasting most of the glass. Some patches of lacing.

S: Very spicy with some yeasty notes. Pepper and some orange rind make themselves seen, as well as a nice bready malted background.

T/M: Big notes of all spice and a hint of coriander. A sligthly sweet, mostly bready malt body is what this brew is all about. Hops add just a touch of crispness but very little bitterness. Body medium with a nice smoothness that lasts through the finish.

D: Not an extremely complex beer but tasty and perfect for this time of the year.

Serving type: bottle

11-13-2007 22:52:13 | More by pwoods