Smuttynose Winter Ale - Smuttynose Brewing Company

drpimento

Wisconsin

4.28/5  rDev +15.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Nice brew. Served with a thick, light tan, foamy, frothy, expansive head that settled after a bit and plenty of lace. Color is a clear dark red amber. Aroma is malt, fruit, roast, toffee. Flavor is like nose plus more emphasis and carbonic tang, yeast. Body & carbonation are good. Finish is like flavor, of shorter duration, and pleasant. Very easy drinking beer. Easy enough to have another, which I will do.

Serving type: on-tap

12-05-2011 03:08:14 | More by drpimento

mdfb79

New York

3.95/5  rDev +6.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

From 11/22/11 notes. Had on cask at FireWorks in Arlington, VA. Served in a pint glass.

a - Pours a mahogany brown color with one inch of tan head and light carbonation evident. Had a little bit of a reddish tint to it.

s - Smells of bananas, wheat, cloves, bready malts, light spices. Pretty decent.

t - Tastes of bananas, bready malts, wheat, roasted malts, light yeast and spices. A little bit of a step up from the nose.

m - Medium body and no carbonation, super smooth and creamy. Very easy to drink.

o - Overall a very easy to drink dubbel. Lots of bananas, bread/wheat, and cloves. Would definitely order this one again.

Serving type: cask

11-28-2011 22:02:09 | More by mdfb79

Boppar

New Hampshire

4.28/5  rDev +15.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Served in a pint glass

A: Dark, dark brown with 1-2 fingers of tan foamy head with big soapy bubbles. Hints of ruby and orange shine through when the light hits it right. This is a fine looking beer!

S: Sweet malts, esters, brown sugar.

T: The taste is much the same as the smell. It opens sweet and inviting with malts, brown sugar, raisins, toffee, and some estery action mid-palate. The sweetness on the nose and palate is rounded out by a well-balanced, medium-dry finish. There are just enough bittering hops to prevent this beer from being overly sweet. Well done.

M: Medium bodied with a slick feel and fluffy, moderate carbonation.

O: Very tasty. Seasonally appropriate.

Serving type: on-tap

11-28-2011 20:02:51 | More by Boppar

SunDevilBeer

Massachusetts

4/5  rDev +7.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Dubbel??? Always seen this beer as more of a scotch ale. Nonetheless, like it as a winter seasonal since it differs from the mold.

Peat-ish, caramelly scent and taste as it's always been, dark brown in appearance. Slight spice & caramel up front, peat in the finish.

Alcohol is subdued so this is a sessionable beer at holiday gatherings.

Very drinkable - a steady beer when I tire of SN Celebration & Berkshire Cabin Fever.

Serving type: on-tap

11-26-2011 22:19:18 | More by SunDevilBeer

DoubleSimcoe

New York

4.1/5  rDev +10.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Smuttynose Winter Ale on tap at Valhalla in Hell's Kitchen, NYC, offered as "Smuttynose Double" on special for $5 to commemorate the end of the world (May 21 2011)

Appearance: Classic Belgian-style brew, with a big (huge!) head, outrageous lacing and retention. Hazy brown color, very dark and opaque.

Smell: Milk chocolate, dark sugar, a tad of coconut cake. Very dessert-y but delicious! Aromas of hops and caramel.

Taste: Raisin, chocolate pudding. Bitter-but-smooth Belgium chocolate, gourmet. Delicious yeasty-bready finish. Again, a total dessert of a beer.

Mouthfeel: Medium body, low carbonation (surprising), full flavor. Sweet, cookie-like, nourishing flavor. Yum!

Overall: A really good American dubbel. Better than Sierra Ovila, which is another example of the American interpretation of the style I recently had. Not too boozy, very flavorful and drinkable.

Props to Smutty and founder Peter Egelston, who responded right away to an e-mail of mine asking about this beer being called "Smuttynose Double" at the bar where I enjoyed it. Cheers!

Serving type: on-tap

05-30-2011 05:22:24 | More by DoubleSimcoe

lordofthewiens

Maine

4/5  rDev +7.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at the Manchester Airport, waiting for my flight to Florida.
The beer was a dark brown color with a sizable tan head. A bit of lace was apparent.
The aroma was of brown sugar, sweet fruit, and caramel malts.
Taste of caramel, raisins, a bit of spiciness.
Sweet, substantial mouthfeel.
Not your typical winter beer. A nice take on the part of Smuttynose.

Serving type: on-tap

02-07-2011 12:02:40 | More by lordofthewiens

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

hustlesworth

Ohio

4.25/5  rDev +14.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A- deep dark garnet red when held up to the light, topped with a big belgianese looking tan head. there's already a splattering of lace where the foam (whose surface is becoming increasingly rocky and pitted) has begun to recede. should hold longer for the low abv.

S- toffee and caramel, sugar coated nuts, funky and fruity cherry banana yeast, tart berries, damp wood, a touch of roasted grain, and a bit of peppery spice. some orange, herbal and piney hop aromas as well. if they used a trappist yeast strain, i'm betting it's chimay. a little more power behind the aroma would be even nicer.

T- more roasted malt and hop flavor then i would have expected. nutty, burnt, woodsy, and hoppy blend very nicely together and the hops are laid back enough so as not to be the center of attention. if anything were to stand ahead, i would say it's the roasty toasty malt character and tart fruity flavors, especially in the finish. herbal bitterness kinda creeps in then too, with fruity banana and pepper yeast chillin in the back.

MF- tight fizzy carbonation and a toasty nutty mouthfeel give a solid score to this one and while it's not totally full bodied, it's husky enough to stand against some other high abv versions of the style. coating and resinous on the palate.

D- i don't think i've ever had a 5% dubbel before, but i'm not disappointed with this one. it has some of that belgian flavor and some of that american flavor and a little bit of something mid-atlantic. this one ain't a sipper, and i'm tiltin my tulip up like a champ. definitely worth a try and very unique among the winter ales available to me.

Serving type: on-tap

12-16-2010 08:01:59 | More by hustlesworth

bishopdc0

Maine

3.38/5  rDev -8.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

The beer appears as amber in color slightly darker then your average with a decent head and lace.

The nose is malty with a hint of nutty/pale maltyness.

The taste is malty caramel with a load of pale malt. It finishes with a slight citrus.

The mouth is light and is a very drinkable dubble but this also i think degrades its overall quality taste

Serving type: on-tap

12-14-2010 21:34:31 | More by bishopdc0

glid02

Georgia

3.68/5  rDev -0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On-tap at the Porter Beer Bar in Atlanta.

Pours a hazy purplish-amber color with a half-finger off-white head. The head recedes into a wispy layer on top leaving decent lacing.

Smells of sweet dark malts with hints of raisins and figs.

Tastes similar to how it smells. Dark malt flavors kick things off and are not quite as sweet as the nose would intimate. Coming in shortly thereafter are moderate amounts of dark fruits - raisins mostly with hints of crisp figs - and slight amounts of spices. The spices fade out quickly, allowing the malt and fruits to carry through to a mildly bitter ending.

Mouthfeel is good. It's got a nice thickness with smooth carbonation.

Drinkability is also good. I didn't have a problem finishing my glass and could have another.

Overall this beer just didn't have much of an identity, it just was. Not a terrible beer by any stretch but not worth seeking out.

Serving type: on-tap

12-02-2010 13:01:34 | More by glid02

berley31

New Brunswick (Canada)

4/5  rDev +7.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Poured with a small, white head that diminished slightly. Bosy is a dark ruby color, very clear. Very nice lacing was left behind in sheets on the sides of the glass.

S: Nice aroma, very malty and sweet, with some fruit notes in there as well.

T: Again, malty and sweet with a nice, smooth finish. Some chocolate is present in there too. The hops provide a nice balance but aren't very detectable. Interesting for a dubbel. Moderate duration for the flavor.

M: Medium-bodied, very creamy, with average carbonation.

D: This beer is very easy to drink, and a nice departure from the typical styles of winter brews.

Serving type: on-tap

02-06-2010 16:00:30 | More by berley31

david18

New York

3.88/5  rDev +4.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I was surprised to see a winter ale at that low an alcohol by volume but pleased because it is winter and it was early in the day. So, perfect. It was as good as I had hoped and now knowing it's a dubbel makes a lot of sense. Good beer with good color, taste and mouthfeel.

Serving type: on-tap

02-04-2010 21:58:55 | More by david18

Katahdin

Pennsylvania

4.05/5  rDev +9.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours with a credible amount of head and rich, reddish brown color. The initial smell is a fruity/malty combination that belies the taste to come. The taste is much fuller than one would expect from such a beer and has hints of caramel and fruits with a spiciness in the after taste that is tough to pin down. There is a lingering taste of roasted nuttiness as well. A bit chewy but goes down relatively smooth. A great interpretation from Smuttynose

Serving type: on-tap

02-02-2010 19:13:35 | More by Katahdin

djeffbee

Pennsylvania

4.08/5  rDev +10%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On tap at Quotations Pub - New Years Day 2010.

A: Deep murky, ruby red with a nice white head. A thin lacing.

S: Roasted, sweet, malty and fitting for a seasonal. Low hop presence, but nice.

T: Roasted, sweet, malty and fitting for a seasonal. Has some character resembling a dubbel, but lower in alcohol. Some nutty flavors in the finish.

M: Fairly thin with a decent finish and good carbonation.

D: Good winter ale, no crazy spices, and with the low ABV it's super drinkable. I think it being classified as a dubbel may be a bit off.

Serving type: on-tap

01-02-2010 19:00:39 | More by djeffbee

Slatetank

Pennsylvania

3.8/5  rDev +2.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

I had this at Al's of Hampden in Enola, PA. Served on tap in a pint

A - chestnut brown color w/ good clarity, two fingers of tan cream crest the ale and it has a tiny bead

S - A sweet, nutty and spicy nose w/ slightly yeasty aroma. The odor of subtle toast and honey w/ mild dried fruit scent

M - a lighter medium bodied feel, slightly strong effervescent front w/ a mildly roasted texture in the middle ad gentle alcohol influence w/ a mild sweetness and subtle spice in the finish

T - A crisp roasted and earthy taste w/ subtle fruit notes and spice is mild w/ creamy flavors that meld well. The mild yeasty fruitiness comes in late in the taste w/ a subtle toasted malt which is almost almond-like w/ a mild bready yeast tinge in the flavor. There is a subtle pine hop taste which seems like an afterthought

D - the drinkability is pretty good w/ flavor that is clean and pretty easy to quaff- the flavors of the malts are in focus and satisfies well, but doesn't prompt me to order more than a couple to be honest

Serving type: on-tap

12-27-2009 17:27:42 | More by Slatetank

m1ked

California

3.93/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Picked up a growler at WF Bowery beer room.

A- Poured from the growler into my Delirium Noel tulip. Pours a slightly murky ruddy coppery garnet brown. When held up to the light, you can see a bright copper. Minimal foam on the pour, with a thin white halo, and wispy cloud in the center. Looks alright.

S- Smells of rich raisins, concord grapes with a touch of bubble gum. Some ginger snap cookie, some pear and actually some stone fruit.

T- Similar to the nose with the raisins, white grape juice, some brown sugar, a little tobacco. Interesting blend that starts off medium dark flavors that has some brighter flavors mingled in there. Some lingering candied orange peel that lingers.

M- Medium bodied, with prickly effervescent carbonation throughout the swallow. While it keeps the flavors percolating, it also makes it feel less like an actual dubbel.

D- Christmas beers, while fun & seasonal are not always my cup of tea. This beer does not strike me as a typical x-mas beer, nor a typical dubbel...but this is a tasty an interesting beer from Smutty. I would recommend this beer.

Serving type: growler

12-12-2009 02:26:39 | More by m1ked

TooleBurger

Pennsylvania

3.58/5  rDev -3.5%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

a: amber color with a little bit of a foamy head

s: very winter-appropriate smell, specifically winter fruits used in cooking holiday dinner

t: great taste, started with some fruit then moved to a dab of alcohol and wood at the end

m: thin, but smooth; perfect amount of carbonation

d: very different than other winter ales I have had in the past, perfect on a cold day

Serving type: on-tap

01-28-2009 19:50:51 | More by TooleBurger

Brianmerrilyn

New York

3.8/5  rDev +2.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured twice from the taps at Skibbo's on East Tremont in the Bronx over the course of a seven days. It was only after tonight that I ignored my pride and simply looked up what a Winter Ale equated into beer styles.

A: Poured into plastic cup to reveal a crimson and brown color which works well for the winter weather in the Northeast. Head from the sample cup looked to be at least a finger size, fading away slowly with not much lacing to mention.

S: The nose is sweet of malts, fruits along with the dubbel style. I read Smuttynose got a hold of a Trappist yeast straing but could not detect along with spices but still alluring nonetheless.

T:Last week when taking a loing sample, I was suprised at the thick and sweet nature of this winter ale. However, upon learning it's a dubbel, it the flavor delivery makes more sense but is enjoyable anyway you shake it. Malt is the first and foremost flavor, brown being the first that comes to midn, then seconded by cocoa, nuts, and some tobacco leaf and a pinch of clove but not enough. An overall estery fruitness of apples and cherries lingers in the pallet.

M: Medium mouthfeel is cloying at first then lingering bitterness and oveall hoppyness at the end. Very easily drinkable with low key carbonation to make it slippery down the throat.

D: I prefer Smuttynose's sweet Winter Ale to the other spicy or hoppy versions. The beer is a combo of true Belgian yeast with west coast American hops to continue to redefining of beer in America. Smuttynose has some gosh darn good talent near their vats.

Serving type: on-tap

01-16-2009 02:34:16 | More by Brianmerrilyn

hchinaski

Virginia

3.28/5  rDev -11.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Enjoyed on tap @Wonderland.

Pours a nice dark brownish with a good head, average time to dissipate.

Couldn't pick up a whole lot of smell Some malts and sweetness with a tad of spice.

Decent taste, not extremely complex, but not too heavy on the malts, slight burnt aftertaste.

Good mouth, very smooth.

Very drinkable, hides the alchohol pretty well, considering the abv. while not my favorite winter selection, i could definitely session this one.

Serving type: on-tap

02-09-2008 19:47:54 | More by hchinaski

aerozeppl

New York

3.95/5  rDev +6.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

On tap at Mahar's

A: Copper amber color with a finger of head.

S: Nutmeg spices and malt. Just how a winter should be.

T: The malt actually comes through more than the spices. The balance is good though.

M: Med body with a good amount of carbonation that was still bubbling towards the end of the pint.

D:For a winter beer this was very drinkable. If I was at any other bar I would have had a second.

Serving type: on-tap

12-28-2007 14:44:39 | More by aerozeppl

Stimack

New York

4/5  rDev +7.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Had this one on tap at Mahars. Poured to a nice dark amber color with a good sized tan head. Nice retention, left a lot of lacing down the side of the glass. The aromas remind me of berries, caramel malts, with a slight yeast quality. The flavors seem to revolve around the malt flavors giving it a toasted feel with a yeast like biscuit taste. When looking up this brew it really surprised me to see it as a dubbel, as the characteristics of a dubbe did not come out for me. Even with this being said this was a good brew, very nice flavor and quite easy drinking. I would get this one again without question.

Serving type: on-tap

12-26-2007 13:04:09 | More by Stimack

tempest

Pennsylvania

3.65/5  rDev -1.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On-tap at Clark's Ale House.

I nice mellow dark Belgian.The flavor isn't too rich or complex, but it's fairly spot on for the Belgian basics. Just sweet, fruit, candy and malt flavors. It's at least as good as Leffe Brune/Brown. If you can find it for a reasonable price, I recommend it.

Serving type: on-tap

04-28-2007 06:22:58 | More by tempest