Winter Brew - Sprecher Brewing Company

cretemixer

Indiana

3.8/5  rDev -1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Pours a deep auburn in color with a light tan head. It fades to a thin layer in a few minutes.
The aroma is nicely malty, a bit on the earthy side with hints of caramel.
The caramel malts shine through in the taste too. Initially dry with a light fruity hoppiness.
I was a bit disappointed with the body of this beer. I was hoping for something fuller, but it was pretty light & on the thin side. Carbonation was dead on, just lively enough for my tastes. A nice winter offering, pretty straightforward in it's approach though.

Serving type: bottle

03-03-2004 04:23:18 | More by cretemixer

barczar

Kentucky

3.8/5  rDev -1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

It's probably over half a year old, so...

Pours an opaque dark chocolate with a slightly foamy, half inch, light khaki head that dissipates into a thick foam layer, leaving no lacing.

Nutty, buttery toffee, raisins, prunes, caramel, and toasted malt form the initial aroma. There's a hint of a sherry-like oxidation evident. Dark brown sugar and diacetyl surface as it warms.

Oxidation is more prevalent in the flavor, with cardboard dominating the initial sip. Raisins, nutty malt, and slightly vinous notes hit early. Diacetyl, burnt caramel, and toasted breadcrust round out the profile, becoming slightly bitter at the finish. Stale notes eventually are overtaken by fruity esters and malt complexity.

Body is moderate, with carbonation slightly on the low side, and a touch of alcohol warmth.

Didn't hold up in flavor as well as aroma, but still pretty complex and good melanoidin character. Would love to try one fresh.

Serving type: bottle

06-05-2013 03:33:24 | More by barczar

eliz108

Wisconsin

4.25/5  rDev +10.4%

05-17-2013 15:34:56 | More by eliz108

superspak

Michigan

3.9/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

16 ounce bottle into lager glass, bottled on 11/20/2012. Pours fairly crystal clear deep reddish copper color with a 1 finger dense light khaki head with great retention, that reduces to a nice cap that lingers. Spotty soapy lacing clings down the glass, with a good amount of streaming carbonation retaining the head. Aromas of caramel, pear, apple, brown sugar, brown bread, light nuttiness, light roasted malt, floral, light pepper, and herbal earthiness. Very nice aromas with good balance and complexity of dark malt and fruity esters with light hops; very pleasant and inviting with solid strength. Taste of caramel, pear, apple, toast, brown bread, brown sugar, light nuttiness, floral, light pepper, and herbal earthiness. Lingering notes of caramel, brown sugar, light fruits, brown bread, light pepper, and herbal earthiness on the finish for a bit. Very nice balance of malt/hop flavors with light fruity esters; with a fair amount of robustness and zero cloying flavors after the finish. Medium carbonation and body; with and a lightly creamy and smooth mouthfeel that is nice. Alcohol i very well hidden with only a slight warming noticed after the finish. Overall this is a very nice bock. Good balance and robustness of malt flavors; and very smooth to drink. A very enjoyable offering.

Serving type: bottle

04-10-2013 05:27:29 | More by superspak

chris1919

Florida

4.5/5  rDev +16.9%

04-06-2013 23:59:26 | More by chris1919

dhannes

Wisconsin

4.11/5  rDev +6.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured straight from the refrigerator into a Sam Adams Perfect pint.

A=Darker brown...much darker than anticipated, and darker than most other bocks I've had, but still appealing. More golden than red. Nice three finger eggshell colored head that lasted around a minute.

S=Nice aroma of molasses, honey, and apples.

T=First taste reminded me a lot of black licorice...as it warmed, a semi-sweet cocoa flavor emerged, but without bitterness. Much like their Black Bavarian, flavor profile is rather subdued.

M=Much less robust than I anticipated--more of a session beer. Carbonation was present at first, but less noticeable later on.

O=Not really strong or bitter enough for a bock profile, but more of a light-bodied brown ale. Flavor and body are enough for a decent session ale...I might buy again or try on tap.

Serving type: bottle

03-15-2013 02:32:01 | More by dhannes

Stoutfan23DJ

Illinois

4/5  rDev +3.9%

03-10-2013 18:00:59 | More by Stoutfan23DJ

SkinniePost

Wisconsin

3.5/5  rDev -9.1%

03-06-2013 17:55:22 | More by SkinniePost

Scarle21

Pennsylvania

4.75/5  rDev +23.4%

02-09-2013 17:05:59 | More by Scarle21

matjack85

Illinois

4.5/5  rDev +16.9%

02-07-2013 01:01:12 | More by matjack85

atone315

Wisconsin

3.5/5  rDev -9.1%

01-17-2013 01:48:21 | More by atone315

Punkrckr281

Wisconsin

3.75/5  rDev -2.6%

01-15-2013 02:21:06 | More by Punkrckr281

Cthulhu

Wisconsin

4/5  rDev +3.9%

12-23-2012 00:01:20 | More by Cthulhu

CWhite

Wisconsin

4/5  rDev +3.9%

12-10-2012 00:22:44 | More by CWhite

b_add

3.5/5  rDev -9.1%

11-21-2012 03:06:29 | More by b_add

Vonstein15

Ohio

4/5  rDev +3.9%

11-13-2012 02:05:11 | More by Vonstein15

Hoolie5

Wisconsin

4.25/5  rDev +10.4%

09-12-2012 13:51:28 | More by Hoolie5

wattoclone

Pennsylvania

3.5/5  rDev -9.1%

09-12-2012 02:13:47 | More by wattoclone

Joefisherman

Illinois

3.5/5  rDev -9.1%

06-24-2012 14:47:27 | More by Joefisherman

OriolesFan1008

Maryland

3/5  rDev -22.1%

06-07-2012 18:35:59 | More by OriolesFan1008

Will_Turner

Illinois

4/5  rDev +3.9%

06-07-2012 02:22:21 | More by Will_Turner

TimRasmussen

Wisconsin

5/5  rDev +29.9%

05-31-2012 19:26:35 | More by TimRasmussen

wakajawaka76

Illinois

4.75/5  rDev +23.4%

05-30-2012 15:03:30 | More by wakajawaka76

pebbs

3.75/5  rDev -2.6%

05-21-2012 21:26:17 | More by pebbs

martyl1000

Wisconsin

3/5  rDev -22.1%

05-18-2012 05:23:26 | More by martyl1000