Samuel Smith's Winter Welcome Ale - Samuel Smith Old Brewery (Tadcaster)

Brenden

Ohio

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

A bright, coppery orange, Winter Welcome develops a fairly dense finger of head a few shades off white. It has good retention, dropping a bit but never fully. While the head remains the entire way, the lacing is just short of being as consistent, though it manages some patching around the middle of the glass.
Very much English, this beer surprises me with a fruity component. This mingles with a good balance of light herbal hops bitterness and toasty malts. Some caramel comes out in the sweetness, and a note of grains sneaks through under it all. There's also an ever-present but not off-putting mineral note.
The body has a rolling smoothness and a nice heft, but the crispness bites hard, and it never lets go. The dryness takes a bit of a toll on the palate as well. Otherwise, it's good, but it takes some sitting to tame that bite.

Serving type: bottle

03-12-2013 18:06:42 | More by Brenden

ChrisCage

Alberta (Canada)

3.9/5  rDev +6.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 4

One of my favorite breweries....let's get started!!

A- Pours a slightly hazed golden/coppery color and appears to have many columns of fine carbonation rising to the top. The head is impressive, being close to three fingers thick upon the pour, and slowly settling down to a eggshell colored thick layer that just sits there! Lacing is also impressive, with lots of creamy dense foam sticking to my English pint glass! Overall a very nice looking brew....right on par with S. Smith product!

S- Typical fruity esters waft their way into my nose...apricot kernel, banana and perhaps some slightly underripe nectarine....very nice. Following this is creamy yeast aromas, and sweet caramel malt sugars. The finish shows a somewhat dry bitter hop smell....nothing very strong but there nonetheless.

T- The flavors I find are very typical of an English Pale Ale, rather than a winter warmer, as I do not find the alcohol warmth on my palate the way I thought I might. I find the fruitiness found in the aromas to take a backseat to the initial flavors of malt sweetness and the hop profile in the middle and finish to takeover. The alcohol shows itself more right after the swallow, blending in a slightly astringent bite with the bitterness....it's quite nice and makes me know that this is in fact a 6% beer.

M- This is a slightly thinner beer than I expected, leaning more in between watery and medium body....not a big deal but it should be noted. The carbonation is plentiful but very fine, and the hop profile is rather leafy and fresh....just the way it should be!

O- This is a highly drinkable ale! I agree with a prior review in the confusion about what style this should be listed as, but regardless, I think this makes a fine English Ale! The alcohol content is slightly deceiving going from nose to palate, but it's very well balanced, if not slightly underwhelming flavor wise, but does the job with the style. I recommend this one and will purchase again in the future!

Serving type: bottle

03-08-2013 03:38:07 | More by ChrisCage

BedetheVenerable

Missouri

3.68/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

Presentation: According to the code and Fresh Beer Only!, this was bottled August 2nd, 2012, making it seven months and a day old. Not ideal, but at least it’s inside of a year, which is not always the case with a lot of Samuel Smith’s stuff we can find locally. This year’s vintage label (2012-2013) features a rugby match. Into a Sam Smith’s imperial pint.

Appearance: This pours an attractive liquid copper, with a good-sized, loose ivory cap that falls slowly to a thick, persistent film. Great clarity and medium carbonation.

Smell: A lot of the same fruity (apple, in particular) estery (yeast-derived?) notes that I find with most of the Samuel Smith beers, but while they seem a bit out of place in some brews (like the Imperial Stout, for example), here they’re supported by a ghostly hint of alcohol, light yeasty notes, and a mild, toasty malt character. While this isn’t as malt-driven as I’d like it to be (or as the label suggests it is) this really is a nice-smelling beer.

Taste: The flavors largely follow the aromas, though there is a firm hop bitterness that I was not quite expecting from this beer. The bitterness is clean, and feels like (rough guess, I’m bad at this) it’s maybe around 30-35 IBUs. I was hoping for a bit more maltiness in the flavor department, but again it’s the estery apple and yeast notes that lead here, with only light, crackery/biscuit malt flavors and a bit of the pleasant rustic, earthy character I often find in Yorkshire beers. Fruity and smoothly bitter hop flavors.

Mouthfeel: Medium-, bordering on full-bodied and smooth

Overall: I think I finally pegged why it is that I’m sort of let down by this beer. It’s simply not, in my mind, a proper English-style winter warmer, or at least not what we in the States consider to be characteristic of this kind of beer. It doesn’t have a rich, deep maltiness, reminiscent of bread, caramel, or toast, it’s not particularly sweet or hoppy bitter, and it’s definitely on the milder side of the flavor spectrum. I was expecting something more in that vein, and perhaps that’s why I was at first disappointed, that and the way that this beer is marketed, as “brewed for the short days and long nights of winter,” with a “luxurious malt character” and “nuances and complexities that should be contemplated before an open fire.” To me, that description sounds like what I personally think of when I think ‘winter warmer’, though that’s not really what we have here. However, if you look at this in terms of what it really is (i.e. a strong, fruity Yorkshire bitter, whose gravity makes it suitable for cold-weather drinking), you may, as I did, see this beer in a very different light. When I think of Winter Welcome in those terms, suddenly the fruity yeast, light malt character, slick smooth mouthfeel, and nice drinkability make this beer seem much more successful than I’d originally thought. In fact, if it was available year-round and I could get ahold of it relatively fresh, I might even pick it up on a semi-regular basis (in the 18.7oz, ‘Victorian pint’ bottles, of course). This is a quintessentially “English” strong bitter, and it’s fairly good. If you’re looking for what we in the States generally think of as a ‘winter warmer’ in the English tradition (toasty, bready, caramelly, strong, likely darker, and maybe with a hint of vinous character or roast) you’ll likely be disappointed.

Overall: (rated as an English Special/Strong Bitter) 85= B

Serving type: bottle

03-04-2013 03:11:42 | More by BedetheVenerable

eduardolinhalis

Switzerland

3.9/5  rDev +6.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

550ml bottle served in a Thumbler.

A: Pours an absolutely clear copper color forming a medium bubbled and creamy white to yellow head. Medium to low retention and some spotty and molasses lacings are left in the glass

S: Extremely malty. Sweet malts, toffee, caramel malts, roasted malts. Some spicy hints. Quite fruity and biscuity too. Honey. Flowery and earthy hops. Biscuity

T: Slightly sweet upfront with strong notes of sweet and caramel malts. Toffee, honey, wheat biscuits and dark fruits (plums ans raisins, mainly). Overall a dry taste with considerable hops bitterness. Malts and hops combination is very English style. Not very far from a classic Bitter

M: Medium body and carbonation. Bitter and biscuity aftertaste

O: Easy-drinking beer. Good bittersweet balance. Strong English character. Recommended

Serving type: bottle

02-23-2013 21:58:04 | More by eduardolinhalis

Huffs

New York

4.06/5  rDev +10.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

Poured into a pint glass and a nice creamy head developed which retained and laced well, was a biscuit color. Appearance was dark amber and cloudy. Aroma was sweet and of spice with hints of bread and toffee. Taste was sweet, almost a maple taste, with a bready, spicy note. Mouthfeel was creamy and full. with a sweet, almost syrupy aftertaste.

Serving type: bottle

02-23-2013 21:56:08 | More by Huffs

darky

South Dakota

3.85/5  rDev +4.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

This is one beer that I simply do not understand the its classification vs. its flavor profile.

Winter Warmer? Ok, sure, it's a broad category in my opinion I'll let it fly. Now, I am reviewing this blind, without any knowledge of the types of malt/hops/yeast it is brewed with. I've had this beer numerous times, and the one trait I keep coming back to is: sour fruit. I realize this is isn't a sour ale, but when I'm buying beer and I see this, all I can think is, "Mmmmm, sour!"

All that aside, I really enjoy this beer. I can't think of any other "winter warmer" that tastes anything like this. Moderate carbonation, great mouthfeel, 50/50 balance of malt/hops with neither one trying to take center stage. if you've never had this and want to try something 'different', don't hesitate to try this.

Taste: subtle hop bitterness, some banana. The malt is squarely middle-of-the-road, flat, unbiased, zero EQ,....you get the idea.

Overall, this reads as a 'poor man's' Belgian sour ale to me. An odd duck for sure, but you owe it to yourself to try it. Very difficult to review.

Serving type: bottle

02-14-2013 03:47:33 | More by darky

TMoney2591

Illinois

2.81/5  rDev -23.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.75

Served in a Lagunitas mason jar.

Is it just me, or does "Winter Welcome" sound like a sex act of some kind...? Anyway, this stuff pours a clear sunset amber topped by a finger of frothy cream-white foam. The nose comprises biscuit, very light dried honey, and the lightest possible kiss of earthy greens. The taste holds notes of funky wheat, dried honey, light biscuit, light grass, and a slightly heavier touch of earthy greens than before. Things don't meld all that well, though. The body is a lithe medium, with a light moderate carbonation and a sorta/kinda dry finish. Overall, a sad, muddled, and otherwise nondescript and forgettable little brew.

Serving type: bottle

02-07-2013 08:03:47 | More by TMoney2591

angusdegraosta

New York

3.85/5  rDev +4.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

This beer is an amber beauty with good head and lacing. The smell is herbal with a sweet aroma. There is a good hop presence in the taste, which adds to the surprisingly dry mouthfeel. Underneath the dryness you can sense plenty of esters and malt. The interplay of dry and sweet fascinates me. Craftsmanship is excellent. Overall I recommend this as a very good Samuel Smith brew.

Serving type: bottle

01-25-2013 01:21:04 | More by angusdegraosta

davetharave

California

2.03/5  rDev -44.7%
look: 4 | smell: 2 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 1.75

Color, a lovely brick-amber shade. Very attractive in the glass. Unappealing vegetative smell with faint malt and hops and other aromas not usually associated with beer.

Taste is a very confusing amalgam of conflicting flavors, extremely hard to pin down, some malt but nothing like the delicate biscuity taste of prior years. After a few seconds in the mouth a plastic-like flavor dominates. The beer tastes spoiled and chemical-like. Simply not enjoyable; considering how good this beer has been in past years, a huge disappointment.

This year's version of this Winter ale is the fermented beverage equivalent of a stocking full of coal. I hunt for this beer in stores into March and April trying to locate every last bottle but not this year. I don't know what Sam Smith did but I sure hope they fix it for next year's batch.

(I drank several bottles and they were all the same so this is not a one-off 'bad bottle' experience)

Serving type: bottle

01-25-2013 00:23:40 | More by davetharave

TheDinger

South Carolina

3.84/5  rDev +4.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

Poured from bottle into pint glass. A nice deep maple, medium brown with hints of amber. A respectable 1+ finger of off-white head with nice retention and lacing. Smell is of nutmeg and spices with a hint of cloves and possible corriander. Very pleasant and inviting. Taste follows the nose with a nice blend of seasonal spices, malts and a touch of hops. I like the subtle blend of spice with the rich malts. Not overpowering on the spices as some warmers can be. Feel is medium carbonation with a dryish finish. Overall- A nice, decent warmer with a good blend of ingerdients. Samuel Smith is a great outfit and although the stouts are top notch, this is a solid beer and a must try-

Serving type: bottle

01-22-2013 01:18:03 | More by TheDinger

Jaybirdsbeer

Ohio

3.85/5  rDev +4.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Recently discovered Samuel Smith's English Ale as its becoming a favorite style of mine. Poured from a bottle into a pint glass. Label displays iconic English scenes of rugby players, Yorkshire horses and a quote by Shakespeare.

Appearance of dark maple syrup color with a full, creamy head that retains for several minutes. Smells of bread and spice with a taste much the same. Not a cloying sweet or overly-spiced flavor as some winter warmers tend to have. Medium-bodied, lots of maltiness and dry finish on the palate. Enjoyed this one enough to look for it again next year when I want a drinkable holiday ale.

Serving type: bottle

01-21-2013 14:49:24 | More by Jaybirdsbeer

jazzyjeff13

United Kingdom (England)

3.29/5  rDev -10.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25

A 550ml bottle with a BB of Aug 2013. Picked up recently from Trembling Madness in York. The label mentions the 2012-2013 season, and describes it as having a luxurious malt character.

Poured into a tulip pint glass. A clear orange-amber colour with good carbonation. Yields a large head of frothy white foam that lasts for a few minutes before subsiding. Aroma of grainy caramel malt with hints of fruity ale yeast, faint brown sugar and stewed hops. Earthy, with a warming whiff of booze in the background.

Tastes of caramel malt with a dry finish. Notes of caramel/toffee, grain, faint roasted malt, fruity yeast esters, grass and stewed hops. A mild hint of alcohol in the background, followed by a restrained, dry bitterness upon swallowing. Mouthfeel is smooth and tingly, with pleasant carbonation and decent body. An aftertaste of caramel malt, wet grain and faint grassiness.

An OK brew but rather one-dimensional. It's all about the malt and this becomes boring as you work your way through the glass. Well made, with the flavour tending towards caramel and a hint of alcohol (to warm you up in winter). Too bad it doesn't hold your attention - I can't help thinking that the addition of some darker malts would improve it. Drinkable but nothing special; no need to seek it out.

Serving type: bottle

01-16-2013 23:59:12 | More by jazzyjeff13

Fatehunter

Oregon

3.55/5  rDev -3.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

One finger of head on a clear, amber colored body.
The aroma is like a barnyard with a heavy dose of malt.
The taste is malty sweetness, hardly any bitterness and a little bready.
It has a heavier texture with moderate carbonation.
It's a nice and flavorful winter ale.

Serving type: bottle

01-11-2013 03:26:08 | More by Fatehunter

charlzm

California

4/5  rDev +9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Consumed December 1st, 2012. Reviewed from notes. Served in a Triple Petrus tulip.

This beer is a clear... orange? Copper? Deep amber? You get the idea. Plenty of active nucleation going on in the glass. A one-finger, very fine merengue style head is a nice topper to this good looking beer.

Aroma of vanilla and melanoidins. Biscuity caramel malts as well.

Fairly light flavor like the nose and finishes with more bitterness than expected. Are those bitter orange peels at the end? Like all Samuel Smith beers I have ever had, there is an odd metallic notes lurking in the background.

Medium bodied with slickness. Good carbonation tingle as well.

Solid, drinkable winter warmer on the lower end of alcohol content for the style.

Serving type: bottle

01-07-2013 05:32:16 | More by charlzm

nightrain789

3.38/5  rDev -7.9%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

From a bottle poured into a tumbler glass:

The beer pours to a golden color, and some estery aromas escape the glass as it pours.

The smell is full of flavor and gets me excited to try this beer. The hops are apparant in the smell, but not overwhelming. So far it appears to be typical of an English style Ale.

The mouthfeel is a little disappointing for my taste. It is a very drinkable ale, but I would have preferred a higher mash temperature, resulting in a thicker, more flavorful body.

Taste is quite good and upon tasting it more while writing this review, I've bumped it up a half point. The hops, much as in the smell, are apparent but not overwhelming. Unfortunately much of the ester characteristics from the yeast have dissipated in the taste, but there is still a lot of flavor from the malt. I'm assuming much of this is about 70% pale malts with about 30% caramel malts (roughly), resulting in a flavor that is slightly bitter from the hops, drinkable from the amount of pale malt, but still slightly sweet from the caramel malts and the slight ester characteristics from the yeast.

Overall, this is a very good beer. Not the best I've ever had, certainly, but for someone that has begun to see American Craft Beer as being more original and expansive than its European counterparts, this is a beer that would make me buy some more European brews. I recommend grabbing a bottle while this is still in season.

Serving type: bottle

01-06-2013 07:14:46 | More by nightrain789

elgiacomo

Georgia

3.33/5  rDev -9.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

12oz bottle, 2012 batch. Served at around 50F. Been told time and time again I need to try this, and despite not being the biggest fan of the style, finally picked up a single to check out.

Pours clear copper with a two finger off-white head that leaves some nice lacing and holds a small cap.

Aroma is mostly caramel, bread, pretty malty, some fruit, some toffee, bit of herbal, grassy hops. Good strength.

Flavor generally follows suit, quite a bit of caramel, some bread and toffee, touch of herbal hops, minimal alcohol, moderate sweetness, mild bitterness.

Mouthfeel is light/medium bodied, a little sticky, moderate to good carbonation.

Easy drinking English Ale, nothing really outstanding, but good flavor.

Serving type: bottle

01-05-2013 01:12:27 | More by elgiacomo

NiceTaps

New Jersey

3.68/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

550ml bottle poured into a Sam Smith's imperial pint glass.

A- Copper/orange/caramel color, it looks like an Octoberfest! Clean and clear with a 1-finger, fast fade head, good lacing.

S-Caramel malts and bitters, just right for a modest ale.

T- Caramel malt with a touch of citrus fruitiness. Much like a marzen without the bite, mildly spicy.

M- Fresh, wet, and crisp. Good body and carbonation. A little bready, clean finish.

O- Another solid SS offering. A very good intoductory ale for the non-craft drinker. I can see this brew appealing to most beer drinkers. Smmoth at 6.0 abv, as well.

Serving type: bottle

01-01-2013 21:29:44 | More by NiceTaps

TWM

3.73/5  rDev +1.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Rather than going through each facet of the review- this ale is a golden ale. That's about it. However, they did "ale" as well as can be asked- instead of looking for odd ingredients or a new twist, Samuel Smith's went and made an ale that is very good. The smell is malty- not unusual, except that it is good malts, and with nothing strange added. The taste is also malty, a slightly bitter ale with a hint of caramel and yeastiness- again, nothing unusual, except that they pulled it together quite well. Overall, this is more a very good execution of a standard, traditional brew rather than something new and unique. I'm quite happy!

Serving type: bottle

12-31-2012 04:04:05 | More by TWM

Oakenator

Pennsylvania

3.7/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours an orange-amber color with easily two fingers of cream colored head at pour. The head lingers well and excites easily. Some lacing on the glass. As for the aroma its a pretty standard bitter aroma - English malting and hops. There is a hint of spice. Spice is more present on the taste but a fairly mild winter warmer - still good.

Serving type: bottle

12-30-2012 21:05:54 | More by Oakenator

RonaldTheriot

Louisiana

4.4/5  rDev +19.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Samuel Smith’s Winter Welcome Ale has a thick, soapy, off-white head, a clear, burnt-orange appearance, bubble streams, and nice, splotchy lacing. The aroma is of mild, brown bread, caramel, and barley malt. Taste is of the same, with nut shell, tea, and some mild bitterness showing up mid-sip. Mouthfeel is light and slick, and Samuel Smith’s Winter Welcome Ale finishes semi-dry, mellow, and supremely drinkable. No alcohol is detected anywhere with this jewel. Overall, this is delicious!

RJT

Serving type: bottle

12-30-2012 16:07:51 | More by RonaldTheriot

gr0g

New Jersey

3.58/5  rDev -2.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Reviewed from notes on 10/28/2011.

Pours a dark amber color, very much like a marzen, with a good head. Head fades to a thin film leaving little lacing. Aroma like an English pale, but with more malt character coming through.

Very nice flavor combining caramel malt, apple or pear-like fruit notes, and bitterness from the hops. Problem is, the flavor is too muted; would love for them to amp this up a little bit.

Serving type: bottle

12-30-2012 01:43:31 | More by gr0g

mfnmbvp

Illinois

3.23/5  rDev -12%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

550 ml bottle (1 pint) poured into a Boulevard tulip glass, which is now my only surviving glassware. No bottled on date present.

A - Pours a very clear copper color. 1 finger white head that goes down fast. Very significant lacing.

S - Not much action. Some mild sweetness, and a hint of vague spice. Mostly just very malty. Not very impressive.

T - Coppery, well-watery taste. Slightly bitter flavor, not anything groundbreaking. Kind of bland. As the beer warms, a very distinctive cherry flavor begins to creep out.

M - Bitter, sticky mouthfeel. Again, nothing super spectacular, but not bad.

Overall, it is a beer I would try again, with a moderate 6% abv, and a decent price at only $3.99 around here!

Samuel Smith's Winter Welcome Ale ---3/5.

Serving type: bottle

12-27-2012 16:34:27 | More by mfnmbvp

thecheapies

Pennsylvania

3.45/5  rDev -6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Nice and clear. Coppery color with a dense inch-plus of off-white head on-top.

Caramelly toast grains, English hops, fusel alcohol. Simple English ale nose.

Musty grains with light roast and some toffee notes. Showy in strength for 6%, but it is a warmer, so let it show. Acts spicy in the finish, but it's just some booze coming through. Very light hoppiness balances this out. Tastes like a cold weather pub ale.

Drinks clean, not rugged. Rustic maybe. Well-designed, but simple, flavors. The feel doesn't get in the way of that.

Decent. Nothing to make you want to buy more than one or two. Enjoyable still.

Serving type: bottle

12-27-2012 15:16:56 | More by thecheapies

barczar

Kentucky

3.7/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

2008-2009 vintage.

Pours a hazy light brown with copper highlights and a fleeting half inch cream head.

Aroma consists of sweet caramel malt, brown sugar, prunes, plums, and figs.

Sweet bready caramel malt, buttery toffee, and burnt sugar form the backbone of the flavor profile, with underlying notes of dates, figs, raisins, dark berries, tangerines, and banana esters adding intrigue. There's a cola-like finish. Lots of peach flavor as it warms.

Body is fairly watery, with moderate carbonation and slight alcohol warmth.

It's held up fairly well. Developed some nice esters over the years, but definitely passing its prime...a tad oxidized and watery.

Serving type: bottle

12-27-2012 01:48:19 | More by barczar

stephenjmoore

Maryland

3.55/5  rDev -3.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A- Pale amber tranparent body with a bubbly slightly off-white head. Thought it would have been a little darker for a winter beer.

S- Sweet malt, caramel malt, a dash of faint hops. Not a whole lot going on.

T- Tastes similar to the smell. Sweet malt up front with just a dash of hops. Somewhat of a mineral taste along with some bready flavors.

M- Medium bodied, smooth and medium carbonation. Very drinkable.

O- Pretty average, but not bad. Not sure what exactly makes the winter warmer style, but this one tastes pretty plain.

Serving type: bottle

12-26-2012 21:19:45 | More by stephenjmoore