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

kojevergas

California

3.4/5  rDev -7.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Here we go. 550ml brown glass bottle with foiled-over pressure cap served into a New Belgium stem-goblet in me gaff in low altitude Los Feliz, Los Angeles, California. Reviewed live. Expectations are high given the brewery - one of the only memorable English breweries I've had before. Breed with Golding and Fuggle hops. I always liked saying "Fuggle". Because it sounds dirty, but not. 6.00% ABV confirmed. No visible best before date. Acquired for cheap at Trader Joe's.

Served straight from the refrigerator and allowed to warm over the course of consumption. Side-poured with standard vigor as no carbonation issues are anticipated.

A: Pours a two finger beige colour head of nice thickness and cream and good retention for the slightly above average ABV. I'd estimate retention time at about three minutes. Body colour is a clear translucent amber. No yeast particles are visible. No bubble show. Neither vibrant nor dull.

Sm: Dominant toasted malt, some spice (nutmeg), amber malts, minimal floral hopping, caramel, and delightful evocative fruit. An average strength aroma. Quite appealing for the style. The so-called spice may merely be hop-derived. It's difficult to tell with me broken nose. All apologies, lads.

T: Bright fruit, amber malt, a bit of strange biscuit malt, fuggle hops (floral/preserving), hop-derived spice, and a hint of toasted malt. The toasted character is actually surprisingly restrained for the style. I'd prefer more, to be honest. It's a bit too bright in its profile, lacking either spicing or toasted character in sufficient quantity. It's also a bit simple. That said, it's a tasty brew. I think I even get a bit of cherry. Well layered, with minimal caramel. So often, winter warmers are over-caramelized. Not the case here.

Mf: Smooth. Wet. Nicely thick. A touch overcarbonated. Good presence. Suits the flavours well.

Dr: Very drinkable. Hides its above average ABV well. I'd have this again, preferably aged or on draught. Though aging should be minimal - maybe a year at the most. Its simplicity holds it back, but it's still a very good example of the style. Its English origins indicate a lack of willingness to spice it, which may prevent it from achieving greatness. In any case, I do like it, and it's certainly worth trying. Another solid beer from Samuel Smith.

B-

Serving type: bottle

11-12-2012 03:53:23 | More by kojevergas

smalenberg

Michigan

3.4/5  rDev -7.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A - short tawny head dissipates fairly rapidly, leaving a thin lace ring floating on a brilliant orange-copper body.

S - Not much of notice on the nose. Slight malt, very faint hop note.

T - Surprisingly strong hop bitterness with slight citrus character, faint spicy notes. Biscuity malt is slightly sweet and nicely compliments the hops. The bitter quality lingers on the tongue along with the sweetness, which keeps the aftertaste from having too much of a drying character.

M - Light body with silky smoothness punctuated by a the bite of the hops.

O - This is not at all what I expected in a winter ale, but it is a smooth and enjoyable beer nonetheless. An enjoyable draft without any harsh, but nothing particularly exceptional either.

Serving type: bottle

11-11-2012 01:04:33 | More by smalenberg

tony223366

California

4.03/5  rDev +9.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Huge awesome head (no surprise!). It's off-white with a nice mix of big and small bubbles. The retention is great too. Some lacing, but not a huge amount. Crystal (and I mean crystal!) clear that's basically the color of caramel. A nice redwood color. Beautiful beer.

S: The smell is really nice too. Huge caramel malts with some fruitiness. Almost like a berry jam. There is just a twinge of bitterness on the finish. Some very light crispness. Smells delicious.

T: The first thing I get is that rich caramel/toffee malts. Almost a little toastiness, which is to be expected. Then there is some fruitiness, but not overwhelming. Like caramel covered plums or something. The finish has a nice spicy, crisp hop bite. Not very strong, but it is noticeable. The finish carries on that rich caramel niceness.

M: Nice carbonation carries this beer and carries the hop bite. It's slightly syrupy, but not in a bad way.

O: This is fantastic! I can't believe I've gone this many years without trying this beer. It tastes shockingly like Deschutes winter warmer, which is my favorite. Delicious!

Serving type: bottle

11-06-2012 06:06:30 | More by tony223366

Kadonny

Pennsylvania

3.88/5  rDev +5.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a bottle into a Sam Adams perfect pint glass.

A: An lighter orange color with a hint of reddish tints to it. Nice 2 finger white head with some lacing.

S: Biscuit malts, some fruit, grainy with some grassy hops.

T: Some nice fruit flavors mix with the grainy, grassy flavors, biscuit malt, some nice underlying caramel sweetness that never really takes over and the nice drying hops finish out the beer with some slight bitterness. This is a real nice drinking beer.

M: Light to medium, no alcohol and not overly bitter. Very enjoyable.

O: This is a terrific drinkable, enjoyable beer that is not overly complex but still really good. I think I like this better than the Taddy Porter, which I really enjoy.

Overall a very enjoyable and drinkable beer that reminds you of the upcoming Holidays. Nice.

Serving type: bottle

10-31-2012 12:36:19 | More by Kadonny

gtermi

Texas

3.68/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

A: This beer pours an amazing golden orange body with a thick white head that quickly fades and leaves a lot of lace on the glass.

S: The smell's very very sweet! There is an amazing sherry smell that has been blended with some caramel malt.

T: The flavor is nothing too crazy, but thats what I like about it. It's mild with a nice pilsner type malt flavor and a delicious sweetness that lingers for a while. Not too bad, but nothing great.

M: Really nothing special here.. It is sort of watery as it goes down and doesnt really have much body. Not really digging it.

O: This is a solid beer and I would for sure buy this again when it comes out in a few months. I would really like to have this fresh.

Serving type: bottle

10-03-2012 04:40:00 | More by gtermi

sfprint

Germany

3.78/5  rDev +3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A: Light amber with a strawberry tinge, lively head, and mild rising carbonation.
S: Fermented sap, mildly sweet wood, amber, a hint of sour
T: Nice but a bit plain. Mild amber, a hair bitter, a hair tart but well balanced and good. Very easy to drink. the 6% is well tucked
M: Smooth, very mild carbonation, soft.
O: Good, decent, but a bit plain.

Serving type: bottle

06-18-2012 22:53:26 | More by sfprint

GONZALOYANNA

Spain

3.6/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

500ml bottle. Gordon´s Thistle glass. Enjoyed on apr´12. Reddish orange in color, clear appearance. Off-white, medium size bubbled, crown. Fairly good retention. Citric fruits to the nose, coriander touch. Mildy malts, grapefruit zest & citric hops at first sip. Moderate fruitness & candies in the middle. Dry palate, gentle bitterness & lemon astringency. Full body, moderate carbonation. Slightly warming finish. Subtle woody note & orange hues on the aftertaste. Comment: very subtle saltiness both in flavors & aromas.

Serving type: bottle

05-23-2012 09:47:19 | More by GONZALOYANNA

ckollias

Maryland

3.6/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Enjoyed this 12oz bottle out of a large snifter glass.

A: Pours a dark cooper ale with a 3-finger, white, foamy, head that slowly dissipates down the side of the glass leaving a nice sized trail and ending in a very solid lace.

S: Roasted malt aroma with mild hints of caramel and coffee. Slightly hoppy background.

T: More sweet the bitter flavor with a tart malt backbone and dry hoppy finish. Traces of dark fruit in the background.

M: Medium body and medium carbonation.

O: Decent winter warmer. Not my favorite of Samuel Smith’s but very went down easy.

Serving type: bottle

05-17-2012 23:43:59 | More by ckollias

GossageBrewery

Missouri

3.53/5  rDev -3.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured this Winter Warmer from a 50ml bottle into a pint glass. Poured an amber color, produced a thick white head, excellent retention and lacing left on the glass. The aroma featured toasted malt. Medium in body, this ale features a foundation of toasted malt, caramel and citric hops. The finish is very dry and the ABVl warms you up. This is one of my favorite English style ales-
Prost!

Serving type: bottle

04-29-2012 16:31:54 | More by GossageBrewery

CraftBeerTastic

Pennsylvania

3.63/5  rDev -1.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Ba Review #156
Served On: 04/20/2012
Glassware: Tröegs Pint Glass
Labeled ABV: 6.0%
Date/ Code: - 2011/2012 Release

This was a 550ml. bottle on clearance at Ye Old Spirirts in Frederick, MD. A little out of season, but it was cheap!

Look: Poured a very clear light-copper color, very reminiscent of a Pale Ale. The head was a thick coating of off-white foam that ended up a thin creamy film. Carbonation bubbles were rather scarce.

Smell: Some winter spices like ginger and cinnamon. Also a biscuit and some plum or raisin.

Taste: Upfront were some nice dark fruit notes. Then spices came through in the middle, but is a more subtle way than expected. The finish was a biscuit and a quick hint of bitterness. Aftertaste was more of the spice that coupled with an almost sour note (sour in a good way).

This was a nice Winter Warmer. I lucked out by finding this given it's now the middle of April.

Serving type: bottle

04-20-2012 15:29:43 | More by CraftBeerTastic

DirtyPenny

Massachusetts

3.15/5  rDev -14.2%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured into a pint glass, as is the custom of my people in the frozen north (New England)

A: Hazy light copper with a small, off-white head. Here shadows hold a grimly sight, dark must the eyes that see it be.

S: Sharp note of sweet and sour caramel.

T: A pretty basic, one-note beer with the caramel present in the nose during the day shift signing up to work the night shift as a flavor. Super-light booze warmth and a bit of hop spice at the end.

M: A touch on the thick side, with a tongue-coating stickyness. Smooth, but you may need to brush your teeth after this one.

O: "Graced with eternal nights - ice blown by wind
Forests dark to see - dead naked trees"

Like the band Immortal, appropriately wintery. Perhaps less of the dead//dread/dark and being chase by demons through a snowy hell, and more sitting in front of a fireplace with friends. Not a bad cold weather option, but I'll stick with Sam Winter and Woodstock Inn's Wassail Ale.

Serving type: bottle

04-20-2012 00:08:10 | More by DirtyPenny

Daredevil

Switzerland

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

pours a beautiful amber liquid with a small but firm and creamy head ...
nose of pineapple, raisin and jasmine
palate notes are blackcurrant, tobacco, spices
very intensive and lasting earthy and bitter aftertaste

this is a very distinctive and nifty if not sartorial winter ale

Serving type: bottle

04-04-2012 23:13:10 | More by Daredevil

TheSixthRing

California

3.28/5  rDev -10.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Appearance - Pours a golden orange with a big, frothy 3 finger head which dissipates rather quickly, but leaves a thick, sticky lacing.

Smell - Smells faintly of sweet malt. Not much else.

Taste - Surprisingly light. Sweet and malty. Hops are fairly subdued, but do help to balance things out a bit.

Mouthfeel - Light to medium body. Soft. Almost airy. Decent carbonation. Goes down fairly easy.

Overall - This is a very simple winter ale. Not much to write home about, but it's easy to drink.

Serving type: bottle

04-01-2012 04:40:11 | More by TheSixthRing

ehammond1

California

3.43/5  rDev -6.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Bottle (2011)

Texas Liquor
Carlsbad, CA

Clear dark orange with a large, pillowy, light khaki colored head that doesn't leave much stick down the glass.

Simple, though pleasant, aroma of bread, caramel, and some raisin.

The flavor is similar to the aroma, though perhaps even simpler. The combination of bread, caramel, and mild raisin go together nicely. This lacks much of the spice character I'm familiar with in other winter warms, though I don't exactly miss them.

Thin to medium bodied with moderate carbonation, though this feels a bit mineral-dense.

Good, but not great winter warmer.

Serving type: bottle

03-26-2012 01:28:46 | More by ehammond1

RossCain

Florida

3.4/5  rDev -7.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured from an undated 355ml bottle into a pint glass:

A: Sits a little fizzy in the glass upon pouring with bubbles all over the sides and a light creme, head that quickly dissipates, leaving little trace. Semi-translucent copper hue, this is a pretty standard looking medium ale.

S: Grainy, nutty, and malty the the nose. Notes of crusty bread and peanuts, However, there is a musty waft likened to soy sauce in the background.

T: Moderately sweet malty notes are the first to be picked out among a few notes including toasted nuts and sourdough bread. Propped up by a toasty malt character, the beer finishes smooth and easy the with the a pop of almond. As sensed in the nose, there exists a misplaced note of soy which awkwardly fades as the beer warms. It was most evident when first drinking the beer but seemed to fade after a while.

M: Light to medium bodied with low carbonation and a semi-thin and watery mouthfeel. Smooth and easy drinking, a bit reminiscent of mineral water.

O: Overall, Samuel Smith's Winter Welcome Ale wasn't a bad beer, but it wasn't a great beer either. Where it gets better marks for its easy drinking and toasty character, between the hint of soy and the lackluster body it gets knocked down a few marks.I wouldn't pick this one over some of Samuel Smith's better offerings in the Ale Category (I wouldn't call this a winter warmer).

Serving type: bottle

03-26-2012 00:23:30 | More by RossCain

dorianmarley

Ohio

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

Appearance is a nice dark gold. Head leaves a good-looking pancake. Lacing is not bad.

Nose is sweet malt with maple syrup. There is also some oak. It has a muskiness to it.

Taste is dense and largely flat. It does have a nice nuttiness and a pleasant savory quality. The malt is simple and not intriguing. There is some light spice and some cherry.

Mouthfeel is pretty good. Carbonation is mild and the beer is easy to drink.

Overall, it lacks the many of the warming qualities you would expect from a Winter Warmer.

Serving type: bottle

03-23-2012 02:59:44 | More by dorianmarley

ouser31

California

4.33/5  rDev +18%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

very inviting winter warmer beer! taste good all the way around... nice finish!! looked good in the glass with a medium head! easy going down and great Smell!! recommend this beer for anyone!! had it with pizza tonigt and it was good! will have it again!

Serving type: bottle

03-19-2012 03:30:45 | More by ouser31

roddwolff

Mexico

2.98/5  rDev -18.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2

Beer i drink when winter 2011-2012 is going to end. Poured in a pint glass. Look: bright brown wood, foam padded head with two fingers thick, excellent lacing, looks like water wood; Smell: caramel malt and hops of pine; Taste: dominated by wood with notable caramel malt and pine grass hops; mouthfeel is woody with medium bitterness, medium body, and soft carbonation; drinkability: although it has rich woody taste and none of its features i found defects, did not convince me much.

Serving type: bottle

03-14-2012 03:24:18 | More by roddwolff

Hopfenpeter

Maryland

3.83/5  rDev +4.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

The beer poured a nice clear amber red and produced a tan creamy head, which left little lacing.
The smell was sweet toffee, brown sugar and dark fruit.
Tasting the beer, the sweet toffee notes are up front, being quickly balanced by a fine mild, fruity hop. The end are sweeter malty notes and a little alcohol.
Interestingly pale winter warmer, medium bodied and very drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

03-08-2012 04:16:00 | More by Hopfenpeter

scottwestphall

Illinois

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

First impression was that this is one pretty beer. A nice copper color and fluffy head. Then the aroma. WOW. One of the best delights my sniffer has had in some time. The flavor is good, but maybe not very distinct which is probably the one criticism I'd give it. This is easy drinking an does not feel heavy. Overall I like it. Not a favorite since the flavor is not very robust but it's good. 

Serving type: bottle

03-05-2012 01:33:28 | More by scottwestphall

Zachtheporter

Wisconsin

3.1/5  rDev -15.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a 500ml bottle into a Blatz glass.

A- A deep bright gold. Fat frothy bubbly whitish yellow head. bubbles rising right from bottle to top.

S- Very faint hoppy sweet smell. slightly maltiness.

T- Sweet citrusy fruity hoppiness with some sweet plum, raisin, and caramel notes. Very even in both hops and malts.

M-High carbonation, medium body somewhat light.

O- Very balanced beer. Nothing to special but it is interesting in the sense that it is the first really pale winter warmer I've ever had. (compared to how dark most of the other winter warmer's ive had have been.) Delicious and refreshing.

Serving type: bottle

02-27-2012 05:27:24 | More by Zachtheporter

albertjr21

New York

4.05/5  rDev +10.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Served in a tulip on 2-20-12, a very clear and bright orange amber raises a nice frothy head. A mildly minty herbal nose delivers bright notes of sweet candied caramel, biscuity malt and peach nectar fruit. Complex jammy fruit and toasted bread flavors spread nicely along the palate into a tasty echoing sticky finish. Carbonation seems spot on for optimum balanced flavor and hop bitterness is just subtle but mends everything together really effectively.

Serving type: bottle

02-21-2012 02:54:55 | More by albertjr21

NForr

Quebec (Canada)

4.3/5  rDev +17.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours a dark amber orange, very little head - normal for the style.Aromas of Caramel, banana bread, sweets, & hint if hops. Smells like a denser English bitter. Strawberry.

Bit of a metal taste, nice bitterness kicks in at the end. Hints of caramel but barely any sweetness there. Bits of vanilla. Quite fruity.

Surprisingly refreshing Given that it's 6%. Goes down really easy. Nice medium body. Liked this one more and more as I drank it. I'm partial to English ales and this one being a bit stronger allowed for a more complex brew. Sadly can't get this one in Quebec

Serving type: bottle

02-19-2012 22:22:34 | More by NForr

JerzDevl2000

New Jersey

3.4/5  rDev -7.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Picked this up at Gary's in Wayne last week since it was on clearance and this was about as close as I could get to experiencing Winter this year...or so I thought. This wasn't like other beers of this style that I've tried before, but that was only because of how low in alcoholic content this was and the lack of spice in the taste and mouthfeel. While this wasn't a bad beer, I have to agree with other reviewers on here in that this didn't measure up to the other Samuel Smith offerings.

It's never good when a fluffy head is the best a particular beer has to offer but sure enough, that was the case here. The hue was a decent shade of copper but when I see Winter Warmer, I expect a beer to be dark, slightly complex, and strong enough to keep me warm. Big 0-for-3 on all of those as this had the taste and mouthfeel of a raspberry beverage, even down to a slight syrupy consistency to it. This was too malty as well, which would have been fine had there been some hops or a resemblance to a Wassail in the taste and body . Of course, no such luck here as I downed this far faster than I anticipated.

Only when I got to the end of the bottle did I feel the effects of the alcohol. For a winter beer, I like to at least taste a bit of it to go with the caramel, dark bread, or spice that many of them are known for. Without a label, this would have been find to have opened up and enjoyed on its own. I do think this needs some tweaking and with so many other Winter beers available, this should only be enjoyed by those who can't get enough Sam Smiths.

Serving type: bottle

02-19-2012 21:52:50 | More by JerzDevl2000

wordemupg

Alberta (Canada)

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

550 bottle poured into tulip 9/2/12

A clear copper with a short lived creme colored foam that leaves just a few random patches of lace

S a little butterscotch and brown sugar with some faint pie spice

T just a little anise on top of what I smell, pretty simple stuff really

M light bodied with enough bubbles too give it a creamy feel, just a little fruity notes on the finish

O I was expecting some spice with this one and didn't get much, pretty plain and pretty disappointing considering who brewed it

pretty simple beer and its way overpriced at 8$ a bottle, sitting next to some of the other offerings from Sam Smith I doubt I'd but this again

Serving type: bottle

02-10-2012 06:38:12 | More by wordemupg