Smuttynose Winter Ale - Smuttynose Brewing Company

hyprlt

Ohio

3.78/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12 oz bottle poured into bowled tulip glass.

A: head with almost pink hues. did not last very long. dark brown with ruby red points.

S: aromas of dark fruit, seems to be very estery aromas.

T: esters of bananas, tastes very much like a belgian style. didnt realize it was a dubbel until I started typing the taste section. tastes appropriate to the style.

M: very bubbly carbonation. thick body. lingers on the tongue for a while.

O: I didn't expect a winter ale to be a dubbel, but i guess it does fit for the winter time. it is good, and very low in alcohol but too complex for high drinkability, in my opinion. definitely a recommended beer!

Serving type: bottle

12-17-2011 03:49:11 | More by hyprlt

Scourge07

Pennsylvania

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

A: Deep, murky amber/red-orange color. 1/2-1 finger of a cream colored head that dissipates quickly. Decent amount of lacing on glass upon consumption.

S: Sweet candy, sweet malts, slight bitter scent

T: Again, candy and malt. Very mild hop bitterness. Subtle caramel taste. Not really tasting much chocolate, like some of the other reviewers are. Mild spiciness.

M: The mouthfeel is the best part this beer. It's extremely smooth and creamy, and very enjoyable to drink overall. Moderate carbonation

O: Very nice to drink! I like the sweet flavor, which is delicately balanced by a bit of bitterness from the hops. AT just 5.1%, I could easily see myself enjoying a few of these on a cold winter night by the fire. Only downside is, I was expecting a bit more spice character. Nevertheless, pick it up if you get the chance!

Serving type: bottle

11-18-2011 04:05:23 | More by Scourge07

myatomicpolygon

New York

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

It's time to check out Smuttynose Brewing Company's (Portsmouth, NH) Winter Ale. Brewed to keep you warm on those cold nights, the Winter Ale uses an Abbey yeast and crystal hops to create a unique spin on the Belgian Dubbel style.

Appearance- pours a deep dark amber into a pint glass with 2 fingers of foam that sticks around for a while with decent lacing and traces of red highlights when held up to light

Smell- toasty malts up front with a bit of bread, fruity esters, and Belgian yeast on the back end when it warms a little

Taste- really mellow and smooth with no spice or hop bitterness, just a touch of toasty malt and slight sweetness with a trace of fruity esters as it warms

Mouthfeel- medium bodied warming and pleasant

Drinkability- this one goes down pretty smooth and easy...and with its ABV at 5.1% and fair price-tag I could drink several of these in an evening

Overall- I like this beer and would happily drink it again. However, I think it's just too mellow and reserved to get high marks especially when compared to its cousins in Belgium

Serving type: bottle

12-15-2010 19:39:08 | More by myatomicpolygon

HarryPotHead

Maryland

3.75/5  rDev +1.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

My first go round with this brewery and it wasn't a bad one....this is a decent but not great winter ale.

A - Pours dark brown / red around the edges into a traditional pint glass. A "not so soft" pour yielded a two finger off-white head that hung around for a few minutes...long enough for me to snap a photo with my phone and send it to a friend who was working late...you know, just to rub it in cause that's what friends do right?

S - Expected more of one. LOL! Nothing real pronounced with this one. Very subtle hints of caramel with an earthy scent. Not overpowering or in your face...nice, but lacking complexity.

T - Again not the most complex. Very "safe" for a winter seasonal. I expected more of a robust character...something that would "put hair on your chest"!

M - Smooth with just the right amount of carbonation....kind of thin though. Could stand to be a little heavier.

Overall - Not a bad beer AT ALL! I enjoyed this beer....as I do most (it is beer...duh!) and I'm ready for another. Very easy to drink albeit one dimensional, but I won't hold that against it. I did expect more for a winter brew but was not disappointed. Nice ABV for the price ($9.99 for six here in Maryland). BEER!!

Serving type: bottle

12-03-2012 23:12:53 | More by HarryPotHead

unskinnyhop09

South Carolina

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

a-looks good. dark amber, caramel colored, wintery.

s-spicy. again, wintery. pleasant...but just above average.

t-nothing here to save the world, but it is pleasant all the same. you can taste the spices...the wintery mix, but nothing that is amazing.

m-very light. not the greatest.

d-one could drink 3 or 4 easily. the only thing holding you back from the entire 6 pack is the spicy taste. a few are nice. many more would be too much.

a great intro to the winter category but not the best winter out there

Serving type: bottle

03-15-2010 23:02:18 | More by unskinnyhop09

dadonabike

Massachusetts

3.83/5  rDev +3.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A: Pours on the red side of amber, leaving a slight head w/ little laceing-nothing clingy. It's a bit cloudy and had some very fine sediment. The carbonation seems to go very quickly.

S: I notice subtle everything. Malts seem very straightforward; barley, and caramel. Hops are gentle, seems like bittering but not much floral. The alcohol goes up the nose a bit but more so when the glass has room to swirl. Don't notice any yeast, if I had known that this was a dubbel I would have expected more.

The taste is malt dominated, then alcohol w/ a touch of hops. This seems very true to the description of a dubbel. The balance is nice but I would enjoy it more perhaps w/ a funkier yeast or just a few brighter notes. I would say this tastes rich but monotone.
It goes well w/ some MN sheep's milk cheese and I would guess w/ an aged alpine or some washed rind cheese.

I like the mouth feel it's a bit thick but smooth and the extra alcohol picks it up a bit. I think it would be nice on a cold night with friends and potatoes, sausage, cheese, etc. Standing by its self though I'd like it to be a bit more exciting.

Serving type: bottle

03-13-2008 04:09:08 | More by dadonabike

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

speakorspasm

Massachusetts

3.23/5  rDev -12.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Poured into a Sam Adams perfect pint glass.

A: Color is a deep rich reddish brown. Head is small and makes a quick exit.

S: Smell is spicy and rather sweet. There's maybe a hint of cocoa backing it up. Very inviting.

T: The taste follows the nose closely. Spicy-sweet malts open backed up by a sweet cocoa/coffee backbone. There is a slight biscuity feel as well. None of the warming alcohol notes you might expect, even though it clocks it at a stout 6.8 abv. Overall, the taste is pleasant but lacks any real complexity.

M: Light carbonation here. Actually comes across as remarkably light, given my expectation for the style. I'd really like a bit more heft here. Still, it's a pleasant beer and the lighter mouthfeel fits the less-complex taste.

D: The lighter feel of the beer makes this a smooth, downable brew. Normally A Dubbel is something to sit with, to sip and to ponder... I can just drink these. I guess whether that's good or bad depends on the situation.

* Overall, this is a decent beer that I'm happy to be drinking. Really nothing amazing given the number of great beers that fit within this style, but nothing wrong with going local.

Serving type: bottle

11-14-2008 04:30:51 | More by speakorspasm

BenjaminBlondbeard

New York

3.68/5  rDev -0.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Smuttynose Winter Ale poured a dark brown from a bottle into my pint glass. A half inch ivory head shrank quickly. In the light the ale is a clean deep ruby brown with sparse but steady bubbles rising to the top.

It doesn't have a strong smell. Some sweet malty notes, caramel, and dark fruit.

Surprisingly it is on the light side of medium bodied beer. There is a nice even carbonation that livens up the intake. It coats the mouth, but is not syrupy. It leaves light lacing on the glass that doesn't stay around for too long.

First tastes are subtle plumb and fig like fruit flavors, and then some sweet roasted malts, with a light hop spice that wraps it all up. The hop spice cuts the sweet malt like a sly bitter ninja; not overpowering, but exacting. It fades away quickly, but lingers in the shadows to enjoy the well balanced finish. The hop and malt flavors linger with now toffee notes, along with the fruit, sweet malt, and very stealthy hop spice.

Not a typical "Winter" ale. I suppose it is more a "Dubbel," as noted in the description on this page. It is very nice for a cold winter night, but not one I would consider for the winter beer hall of fame.

Serving type: bottle

12-03-2012 01:52:48 | More by BenjaminBlondbeard

wgarton

Pennsylvania

3.93/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 4

A: Served in a goblet, shows dark brown with hints of red against the light. Thin head parts to reveal a good lacing around the outside of the glass.

S: Great smell. Apricots, honey, yeast. Very warming.

T: Similar to the smell. Sweet, with little strong taste of alcohol. Leave a toasty honey taste.

MF: My biggest complaint for this beer, over carbonated distracting from the flavor. Fairly thin.

D: Overall, a pretty solid warming winter beer. I wish that it were less carbonated because it could be much better if so. I could have a couple on a winter night.

Serving type: bottle

12-07-2008 01:38:02 | More by wgarton

akk101

Ohio

3.63/5  rDev -2.2%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12 oz bottle poured into pint glass

A - Dark brown color, short lived head. Bottle labeling isn't the most appealing

T - Slight hop prescence

M - A drinkable beer but lacking in carbonation

O - Not bad. I feel that overall flavor and aroma are light. Nothing really stands out. This beer would best be suited as a winter session ale.

Serving type: bottle

11-12-2011 02:17:57 | More by akk101

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

rustan

North Carolina

3.7/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Pours a cloudy ruby brown that become progressively translucent. Off white head doesn't hang around and leave very little lacy

Smell is overripe fruit, malty sweetness, yeast

Taste - as above with notes of raisins and granny smith apples

Mouthfeel - medium, full carbonation

Drinkability - warming and balanced. good showing for this year's winter seasonal.

Serving type: bottle

12-10-2008 03:31:22 | More by rustan

TimmyL

3.3/5  rDev -11.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

12 oz bottle into a tulip
A- Nut brown in color, tan head, average lacing.
S- A little light, nothing spectacular.
T- Sweet malt taste. Honey, some brown sugar, caramel. Slight bitter finish.
M- Lighter than I would expect.
O- Decent. Would have again but wouldn't seek out.

Serving type: bottle

12-10-2012 23:50:15 | More by TimmyL

jakdracula

Pennsylvania

4.3/5  rDev +15.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

I bought one bottle as part of a mixed set, tasted it, and went back and bought a case.

Just a great beer, not too heavy, very drinkable, and just delicious.

I'm not a big fan of hops, and this has a great malt flavor, just the right amount of hops to keep it well balanced.

Not high in alcohol, and very refreshing.

Serving type: bottle

02-27-2010 16:57:38 | More by jakdracula

GardenWaters

Illinois

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

A: Poured a dark plum-like color with a tan head which quickly dissolved. Some lacing present.

S: Toasted malt and dried fruit. Hop presence nearly undetectable.

T: Big notes of malty sweetness with fruity/nutty accents. Moderate carbonation/bitterness compliment the sweetness of this beer very nicely. Nicely balanced and would make a good session-beer.

M: Light-bodied and well rounded. Goes down smooth and finishes clean.

O: Overall, this is a pretty tasty beer and is very drinkable. I've been looking for a good winter ale all season, and this one didn't disappoint. Though there's nothing particulary memorable about this brew, I would definitely drink it again, no doubt.

Serving type: bottle

01-15-2012 07:17:39 | More by GardenWaters

mattf311

Indiana

3.63/5  rDev -2.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours a dark brown, like a dubble should. It smells and tastes of chocolate and slightly of coffee. Don't get me wrong its a good beer but the chocolate/coffee taste is a little too disjoint from the rest of the beer's flavor. This takes away from the complexity and cohesiveness of the beer. It has a nice mouthfeel though. Its adequately carbonated and drinkable. I could have a few of these in an evening.

Serving type: bottle

11-03-2006 22:21:49 | More by mattf311

Mongrel

District of Columbia

3.44/5  rDev -7.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5

Dark amber with a thin, but lasting head.

Surprisingly creamy, but still carbonated/effervescent.

Slightly sweet and lightly spiced in the holiday sort of way, namely nutmeg. Grows in complexity as it warms, including a grape/raisin layer similar to Raison d’ Etre, probably attributable to the Belgian yeast. Well balanced with cool light hop presence. Smooth and very drinkable.

A good solid representation of the holiday/winter ale class, but not mind-blowing.

Serving type: bottle

02-14-2013 02:34:30 | More by Mongrel

ixnay21

Rhode Island

3.5/5  rDev -5.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

From bottled served in pint glass

A-reddish brown a little more on the red side, nice sticky head

S-dark fruit, little bready smell and just a little hops in the back end

T-Beligian fruit yeast taste with a nice malt backbone slight hop bitter in the back end good lasting aftertaste

M-some prickly carbanation upfront, thick with a lingering feel to it.

O-another nice seasonal from smutty, a nice switch from over spiced/over boozed seasonals

Serving type: bottle

12-18-2011 18:58:46 | More by ixnay21

JohnSki13

Pennsylvania

3.33/5  rDev -10.2%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Purchase over the winter along with a number of other beers. This is my first review of a beer. We’ll see how it goes.

Appearance – Poured into a pint glass. The beer is a deep mahogany/carmel color. Lacey head with a slight cream or light beige color. A medium amount of carbonation remains after sitting in the glass for a few minutes. A thin trace of the head remains as well.

Aroma - Sweet, malty aroma which is a bit of what I expected when pouring this beer. Not overbearing but definitely a strong presence. A slight scent of raisins and figs can be picked up in the ackground.

Taste – A sweet and malty aroma with a slightly burnt taste. Very mild hop presence with a slight bitter taste in the beginning of the sip. The malty flavors fade away leaving the hop and slight burnt aftertaste (This is not a bad thing). A balanced combination of flavors in this beer give this beer a complex but not overwhelming taste.

Texture – The carbonation catches the tongue and inside the mouth and sticks with the beer throughout the sip.

This beer is a bit on the lighter side of winter ales I have had but I tend to think a lot of the winter ales I have had tend to be a bit overspiced so this beer I enjoyed. The beer is a little bit much for a session beer but I can see myself having a few of these in one sitting.

Serving type: bottle

05-26-2011 04:58:35 | More by JohnSki13

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