Smuttynose Winter Ale - Smuttynose Brewing Company

lehows

New York

4.22/5  rDev +13.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a rust amber color with a nice and bubbly off-white head. Nose is of spicy malt and faint hops. Big taste of spicy citric notes, some bitter malt, and fruit. Good carbonation and mouthfeel. Another wonderful brew from Smuttynose that hit the spot on a cold winter night.

Serving type: bottle

02-14-2007 00:45:11 | More by lehows

BuckSpin

Maine

4.22/5  rDev +13.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Presentation: 11oz bottle in a small snifter

Lively, beautifully classic Belgian nose of spices like clove, nutmeg, pepper, its yeasty, raisins and dark caramel, grandma's fruitcake soaked in your grandfather's whiskey nip, crisp, sharp, a little sweet, inviting...a great nose.

Color is an intense deep, warm crimson or cherry stained mahoghany, slightly orange, just beautiful in its lite murkiness as a vertical parade of bubbles rise carefree from the glass center. The head was a short 2 fingers of crisp, active, mixed dark ivory hued foam that lightly crackled, danced, then faded to a filming cover with solid curtainesque lacing. So far this beer is delighting every sense it can without using one's tongue...very nice.

Its creamy & smooth initially, a light spiciness, bittersweet in a pleasing mascerated fruit way, an odd sweetness and bite like when you 1st tried your neighbor's rum balls at a party (but weren't supposed to because of all the booze in them which is why you had to). Its lite but nicely balanced against the bittersweetness. There is a rising of the malted barley on the palate, then a slightly mild yet syrupy sweet finish and a little warmth on the teeth as a echo. The aftertaste coats the mouth with malts and subtle sugars to help balance the warming of the alcohol.

Damn, what a little find this is! I wish I would have been drinking this all winter! It was very easy to drink as well. I knew that a Dubbel was a very atypical choice for a winter seasonal, but this is quite a nice beer. Some nice cheddar would be great with it. This will definitely become an annual part of my winter cellar, and I highly recommend this little sleeper. A great bang for the buck for those Belgian fans. Definitely check this out.

Serving type: bottle

03-01-2007 02:18:53 | More by BuckSpin

Phatz

Pennsylvania

4.22/5  rDev +13.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance: Pours a very attractive amber color with a modest head and little notable lacing. A tan halo is left around the edge as the beer drops in the glass.

Smell: Dark fruits and a Belgian yeast element. Sweet rich plum pie and grape jelly, caramel and a earthy attribute accompanies some spices in the nose.

Taste: The taste follows in suit with the aromas. Dark fruits, pie Belgian yeast, bread, pudding, caramel and spices. Simple and tasty. It is not large on any front, just approachable and quaffable all around.

Mouthfeel: Very active carbonation is light and lively on the tongue wile a chewy caramel center thick and viscous slide smoothly through the mouth.

Drinkability: This easy drinking brew is one that will sneak up on you. Increasingly quick to disappear from my glass, it kept beer drawn to my mouth like a magnet.

Hope this is helpful.
Cheers!

Serving type: bottle

03-13-2007 05:47:43 | More by Phatz

mcarroll10177

Massachusetts

4.22/5  rDev +13.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

An all around solid winter beer.

A- amber brown with a tan head and medium carbination

S- malt with fresh floral notes

T- balanced malt with some cinnaminn spice

M- not over carbinated and just heavy enough for the style

D- a solidly balanced beer that gets my thorugh the new england winter nights

Serving type: bottle

02-02-2009 14:26:40 | More by mcarroll10177

airheadmtrcycle

Georgia

4.22/5  rDev +13.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Surprised to find out this is a dubbel. Dark brown with traces of red around the edges. Off-white to tan head that fades, but leaves some lacing. Subsequent aggressive pours created large heads. Nice looking beer.

Smells of dark fruity sweetness. I pick up the Belgian yeast aroma and perhaps the malts. Tastes sweet, but not too sweet. The yeast is there as well as some alcohol which adds a little spice. It gets a little bit sweeter as I go and as it warms. It does warm me up a bit. After having a few more I grew to really like the taste.

The mouthfeel is creamy, moderate to full with some carbonation. Decent drinkability. I'll grab another as soon as this one's gone.

Updated after finishing the 6-pack. My favorite winter warmer this year.

On the border of being a little too sweet, but a little spiciness and alcohol save it.

Serving type: bottle

12-12-2010 02:05:12 | More by airheadmtrcycle

devinoconnor

New Jersey

4.22/5  rDev +13.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4.5

Smuttynose's winter ale is very exciting.

Pours a darkish brown color.

Smell is earthy and ale'y.

Taste is very smooth.

Easy drinking.

As far as winter ales and lagers go, this is a nice find because it's not quite as heavy (both ABV and taste) as most others. A nice change of pace for a winter beer while still keeping many of the rich characteristics we like so much with winter ales.

Serving type: on-tap

01-28-2011 17:29:42 | More by devinoconnor

Gehrig

Illinois

4.22/5  rDev +13.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Enjoyed from a bottle at the sterling Sun Singer in Champaign, IL.

A moderate finger of slightly tan froth tops a cloudy mahogany body with cherry-brown trim. Decent amounts of lacing and mediocre head retention are ameliorated by a wonderful color to the beer.

Nice nose filled with biscuit, chocolate, and caramel malts, with some berry and a bit of ginger in tow.

Rich, full taste, very creamy, very malty. The chocolate and biscuit malt stand out, with some caramel in the finish. Good, fruity taste with a bit of a bite and with some dried fruit--date and raisin, along with maraschino cherry. The combination is wonderful and reminiscent of Avery's first-rate Old Jubilation (which is unfortunately unavailable locally this Winter). The taste won't exactly make me forget the magnificence of Old Jubilation, but Smuttynose Winter certainly fits the bill in a pinch.

Nice, creamy texture, with some piney hops and a touch of grit in the end. More hops would make this superb but, as it stands, Winter Ale is a really good, flavorful beer that drinks a bit stronger than the advertised 5.1% ABV. This goes down easy, though, and is easy to knock back a few of these on a cold Winter night.

Very good, and I am glad to have grabbed a sixer of it for the week.

Serving type: bottle

01-03-2012 22:28:50 | More by Gehrig

WanderingFool

Massachusetts

4.2/5  rDev +13.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Smuttynose Winter Ale pours a clear, dark ruby color into the glass with a small tan fizzy head on top. The foam dissolves quickly to a thin ring around the surface leaving a few spots of lace behind.

The sweet malty aroma has some notes of cherry and spice (clove? nutmeg?) mixed in. Sort of reminded me of cherry cough syrup. Each sip of this medium bodied beer gives a firm carbonated punch to the tip of the tongue. From there it flows smoothly over the palate releasing all its flavor. The taste is rather sweet. Like the aroma, there's a good amount of cherry and sweet malt with some spice, bubblegum and a hint of hops mixed in. Some of the malty sweetness lingers on the palate when the beer is gone.

This is a good full flavored beer. It's more sweet than spicy like other winter ales, but has a good balance of flavor.

Serving type: bottle

12-26-2005 18:32:00 | More by WanderingFool

twiggamortis420

Texas

4.2/5  rDev +13.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a slightly hazy orange-brown color with a decent 1 finger tan head that fades to just a collar pretty quick.

Smell is hoppy with a syrup-like sweetness. Also get hints of raked leaves, pine sap and maybe some gingerbread. Smells pretty good, and very winter warmer-esque.

Loads of sweet malts and piney flavors. Very smooth with fairly low carbonation. Various spice notes are abundant but not quite identifiable...maybe some ginger snaps and sugar cookies. Very enjoyable brew, my first Smuttynose. I do believe I will be seeking them out in the future.

Serving type: bottle

02-14-2009 08:10:43 | More by twiggamortis420

mrhiccups

Maryland

4.2/5  rDev +13.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Tried this beer upon a whim, as I usually drink IPA's, saw this brew in the front of the store, and decided, "What the hey". and gave it a shot. Drank this straight from the bottle, so I cannot comment on the appearance, but the smell is reminiscent of raisins, bread, malt and some spices, perhaps cinnamon, but very faintly. Goes down smooth, and has no unpleasant aftertaste to it whatsoever. An overall satisfying session beer, will definitely try this one again, gave me a nice brief break from my IPA's.

Serving type: bottle

01-12-2010 04:29:28 | More by mrhiccups

thebeerdoctor

Ohio

4.2/5  rDev +13.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Poured into a standard American ale glass, this very well made dark ale reveals the truth that a so-called "winter warmer" does not necessarily require high alcohol strength. Instead, it is all about the depth of the body. And I can think of few things better matched for a cold day of freezing rain than to return home and have this marvelous ale. Perhaps it is the Abbey yeast strain that imparts a bit of magic, but there is no denying the balanced beauty of this recipe, where the restorative power of malt is in full display.
Calling this Dubbel, as BA designates, it is a bit of a stretch. Smuttynose says nothing of the kind on the label; it is just called winter ale. with a smiling lady holding packages, standing in front of a snow covered automobile.
This is one of this season's very best offerings.

Serving type: bottle

11-25-2010 12:10:59 | More by thebeerdoctor

WVbeergeek

Ohio

4.18/5  rDev +12.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

WTF, is a 4.5% beer now a dubbel, somebody change that rediculous label on this brew. Best by June 2010 yeah fuckin' right, I had this during Christmas on tap at Sharp Edge in Washington County the Brasserie. Low abv beers are meant to move quick brewed in october or november this is dead by march or april I don't care what Trappist yeast you use. Pours a deep clouded amber mahogany brown hue with a light beige khaki head, nice head retention again another gusher as I cracked it open, WTF? Aroma has a creamy nut and fruit combo let's go with crushed almonds and raisins cooked in a cookie dough maybe an Italiano biscotti. Flavor has a creamy sweetness going on okay I will swallow my words it is a dubbel light slight tart apple raisin combo with a nutty yeast flavor going on it's really a nice session ale a bit of a dryness in finish more power to 'em I didn't enjoy the draft as much. Maybe a 4.5% brew was too young with the yeast in the bottle this brew is drinking nice, I bough this for 2 bucks a bottle. Mouthfeel is medium bodied dry finish on the palate carbonation is even during the drinking experience but was pretty much a volcanic explosion on the opening of the cap.

Serving type: bottle

04-11-2010 01:07:06 | More by WVbeergeek

StoutSC1

South Carolina

4.18/5  rDev +12.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Creamy , warm, smooth with a suttle kick. Im thinking the ABV is a little over 6%. Went in for the OMB Dunkel , and after some prodding by the sales rep, i came out with the Smutty Winter. !st one straight from the bottle. Second one i poured , jus to get a better look, good aroma and nice red head. Really has body and hugs the glass. After #3 i had to rest my eyes

Serving type: bottle

03-11-2013 07:45:13 | More by StoutSC1

beerluvr

New Jersey

4.15/5  rDev +11.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Pours with a light tan head that settles over clear dark reddish liquid tinged with brown. The nose is great, brown sugar, nutty maltiness, hops, fruitiness (very slight banana noted) and light spice. The taste leans towards hoppiness mixing with roast maltiness then some sweetness. The finish is warming, bittersweet and long. A nice surprise this one was!

Serving type: bottle

11-17-2005 00:53:03 | More by beerluvr

sitarist

Ohio

4.15/5  rDev +11.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

12oz bottle, best by date of June-09

A- Pours deep brown, I can only see through it if I hold it to the light. One inch tan head, decent lacing.

S- Sexy and inviting. Candied fruits, dates,dark caramel,butterscotch,winter spice.There is an earthy note I cant place?

T- Raisins,figs,caramel,butterscotch. Flavors are thin but complex.

M- Well balanced body,carbonation,and flavor. Almost dances on my tongue. Nice long finish. Just a little thin or Id say perfect.

D- Even with all the sweet complex flavors; I could still throw down a sixer of these.

F.T.- Even though they label says this a winter ale; I could also enjoy this anytime with pasta, lamb, or beef, almost like a Shiraz Wine.

Serving type: bottle

02-06-2010 04:19:14 | More by sitarist

ZeroSignal

Pennsylvania

4.15/5  rDev +11.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

12 oz bottle

A - Pours a dark, dark amber with a light brown, tight looking head with excellent retention and lacing

S - Nose is malty, nutty, and slightly fruity. Malts have a caramel quality to them with a sweet, fruity smelling light side

T&M - Very creamy and smooth feeling. Lot's of "English Brown" character with a discernible nutty quality. Caramel malts with bits of dark fruit and tobacco. There is a bit of spiciness that I originally thought may be an alcohol warmth, but that's probably unlikely at 5%. Medium body.

D - Has a bigger feel then it's ABV would indicate. A sessionable winter ale/dubbel/english brown. I'd spend a cold night with a few of these.

Serving type: bottle

12-14-2010 03:48:57 | More by ZeroSignal

vandemonian

Maryland

4.15/5  rDev +11.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Smuttynose Winter Ale is brown in colour and has a nice 5 mm head than fades into a little bit of lacing in a minute or so. The smell is malty with some toffee. The initial taste was quite mild, but quickly develops into malt and roastiness. The aftertaste is roasty with some yeast flavour. This beer is really creamy and goes down very easily.

Serving type: bottle

03-03-2011 04:14:05 | More by vandemonian

engagechad

Virginia

4.15/5  rDev +11.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Purchased as a single from Whole Foods in Short Pump/Glen Allen, VA - poured into DFH snifter - drink by may of 2011(now)

Pours a ruby mahogany color with a fat white head, leaves good lacing. Smells malty and spicy (i'm not familiar with the style so i looked it up). Taste follows, incredibly smooth, I found myself having to pace it a bit.

Overall this is a good beer. Worthy of spreading to other folks who may or may not be familiar with the style. Would be a great party beer to bring and have others enjoy.

Serving type: bottle

05-13-2011 14:19:35 | More by engagechad

silverking

Florida

4.15/5  rDev +11.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

It pours a slightly hazy, dark, brownish-red with a light tan head. the head fades slowly leaving a thin ring of foam with beautiful lacing that cascades down the side of the glass after holding for a few seconds. The smell is remeniscent of a glass of red wine. Grape with some plum, cocoa, vanilla, spices, roasty malts and finally hops. The aroma is terrifically complex. It has a rich, thick mouthfeel with medium carbonation. The taste starts off light and fruity, but turns into a hoppy, spicy, earthy brew for the finish. The malt comes through a lot more in the taste. It finishes semi-dry with some dark cocao and coffee notes, along with a sweet yeastiness to round it all out. Definately a home-run from the Smuttynose brewery.

Serving type: bottle

12-30-2012 01:27:37 | More by silverking

edchicma

Massachusetts

4.13/5  rDev +11.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Purs a beautiful dark copper with a beautiful head. Smell is hoppy, fruity..very nice. The taste is a very nice combination of sweetness and tartness. Sweet on the front with a good malt backbone through mid-palate, hoppy light on the finish. Mouthfeel is a similar balance between oily and dry..very good. The drinkabilty factor is high. Overall very smooth with an excellent dry finish.

Serving type: bottle

04-29-2006 14:09:57 | More by edchicma

sethmeister

New Hampshire

4.13/5  rDev +11.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12 oz into pint glass (I made the mistake of assuming this was a winter warmer; else I'd have decanted it to a chalice)

Chestnut brown in color with one finger of creamy pale mocha colored head which falls quickly leaving no lace.

The scent is almost imperceptible to my nose at first but I finally get a very mild belgian yeast and some cloves.

Taste is sweet and nutty to start, with a touch of spice - mainly cloves - to follow and a nice yeasty sour finish. There's a mild smokiness here as well which I'm really enjoying.

Rich medium mouthfeel with light tingly zesty carbonation.

Drinkability is very good.

This beer seems to have characteristics of a brown ale, a winter warmer, and a belgian dubbel but doesn't strike me as being distinctly any one of the three. Whatever it is it exhibits typical Smuttynose quality and is quite delicious. I'll be buying more.

Serving type: bottle

03-24-2007 02:29:03 | More by sethmeister

fosterific

Wisconsin

4.13/5  rDev +11.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

The winter ale poured deep red with a sizable head and a spot of yeast at the end.
The aroma is that of hops and alcohol, with just a touch of wood.
The flavor is dry and nutty, and then ends with a little spice of booze. I also taste chocolate.
The beer feels heavy on the palate, fairly dense and creamy.
This is the perfect beer for procrastinating; it is slow, complex and makes you feel warm and cozy. A good winter ale, just what I needed before going out to shovel, or maybe I will sip a bit slower and savor this one as long as I can.

Serving type: bottle

01-23-2009 22:00:28 | More by fosterific

sprucetip

Alaska

4.13/5  rDev +11.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

I wonder how many Smutty's have been consumed in Alaska? This one was honored by being poured into a Midnight Sun goblet, where it looked very inviting. It was medium brown, but deep copper when held to light, and clear. Decent tan head with retention faded to a film and ring. Spotty lacing. SMELL is of a bunch of things at once. Sweet caramel malty, lightly roasty, grainy, nutty, fruity esters and it has some legs. TASTE is smooth and balanced. Sweet caramel malty flavors are backed and balanced by a respectable hop presence. It is a bit boozy, nutty and fruity. Tasty and fairly complex. FEEL is moderately strong tingling early on, too much I thought. It seemed to fade later. Body is medium full with a pleasant rich texture emerging before the clean finish with some restrained bitterness and dryness. OVERALL yum. Very easy to toss this one back. Many of the categories were close to being scored one step up. I liked it alot.

Serving type: bottle

03-31-2009 03:22:14 | More by sprucetip

farrago

New Jersey

4.13/5  rDev +11.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Gets close to two fingers of dark tan microfoam, dimples slightly as it dissipates swiftly, touch of lacing left behind. Some cloudiness to the orange-brown liquid, metallic sort of look, lightens a good bit at the rims. Nutmeg, clove and cola, pinch of dark chocolate, white raisin, apple, pear fruit scents, overall the nose has many elements yet remains demure, if not reticent, ends with suggestions of chocolate-filled croissants as well as peat moss. Medium-bodied, the carbonation contributes lift and steadier pacing, right-sized to the whole. The flavors lean towards the sweet side but the beer remains pretty dry. Green apple, white grape, pear and apricot predominate, light glimmer of orange peel. Cocoa powder, malts, cinnamon and clove spice work well to create an affable first half even as hoppier grassiness and pepperiness rises through the finish. Roasted qualities work, never bitter nor burnt. While not blazing any new trails, different enough to hold your attention.

Serving type: bottle

12-06-2009 04:48:10 | More by farrago

bjoyce12

Massachusetts

4.13/5  rDev +11.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

This is a good little issue from Smutty. What you'd expect in a winter lager but not your prototypical winter. Dark color, good nose, and a definite palate-pleaser in taste BUT much crisper than your average winter. After finishing the first one I thought "This is a nice little beer." A pleasant surprise. Unmistakingly a winter but with a nice Smutty twist. If you're looking for something heavy or powerful, you'll want to pass on this one. If you want a highly drinkable winter this is an excellent choice.

Serving type: bottle

02-04-2011 21:08:19 | More by bjoyce12