Redhook Winterhook - Redhook Ale Brewery

ElGordo

Oregon

3.08/5  rDev -14.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5

Pours a murky, ruby-tinged brown hue with a slightly creamy, tan head. Aroma of roasted malt, with some pine and a touch of hops lingering in the background. Palate is malty and slightly nutty upfront, quickly developing a hoppy bitterness that lingers in the aftertaste. Nice, sturdy, slightly creamy body. Still, this one's a little harsh. The hoppiness is fine, but is not well-balanced.

Serving type: bottle

11-21-2004 05:34:06 | More by ElGordo

ocelot2500

Arizona

3.08/5  rDev -14.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Pours a clear mahogany color with a solid, white head that leaves a decent amount of lacing.

Smells of toasted malts.

Tastes of the toasted malts mostly. Malts are characterized by toasted notes with caramel. Slight amount of hops make their way through and add a grassy, leafy taste, but it still is relatively sweet. Overall, the flavors are a little weak and I just want more.

Mouthfeel is medium-light with a smooth amount of carbonation.

Serving type: bottle

01-09-2011 03:47:38 | More by ocelot2500

Rifugium

Pennsylvania

3.08/5  rDev -14.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

First had: on tap at Redhook, Woodinville, WA

Board info called this a English-style strong ale.

Poured a clear chestnut color with a frothy beige head that retains well. Toasty malts in the aroma, nutty with a bit of sweetness. Nutty taste, malty, toasty, a bit bland. Some light hops come through near the end for a slightly bitter finish. Medium mouthfeel and somewhat drinkable, but not that great. Reminded me more of an amber ale than a winter warmer or strong ale.

Serving type: on-tap

06-01-2011 17:08:58 | More by Rifugium

GNWBC

Washington

3.08/5  rDev -14.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

poured from a bottle into a pint glass. Since i live about 3 mins away from the Red Hook brewery i have come to expect all of their beers to be tasty. However i found this to be on the average side.

Pours a semi dark carmel color with a very thin head that leaves a small amount of lacing.

Smell: strong hop note right out of the gate followed by a milder spicy background.

Taste: again lots of hops upfront, being that is a native washington brew this is no surprising. some toasty malt cuts the bitterness very well and ends hint of sweetness.

Mouthfeel: goes down pretty easy, the carbonation is noticeable but isn't over powering.

Defiantly not the best winter warmer out there but i would gladly session with this after a day of shreding the gnar at Crystal Mtn.

Serving type: bottle

12-24-2011 22:52:49 | More by GNWBC

aforbes10

Iowa

3.05/5  rDev -15%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Pours red brown with a puffy tope head. Smells of cloves, hops and some dry citrus rind odors. Quite a spicy nose and reasonably intriguing. Taste is sweet and effervescent. Tastes like cloves and sweet malt. Hops are cloying and floral. Somewhat unbalanced between malt and hops. Some menthol-like flavor in there too. Mouthfeel is quite thin for it being a winter warmer. Drinks OK, but really not anything special for the style...

Serving type: bottle

12-05-2006 13:38:53 | More by aforbes10

hopbar

New Jersey

3.05/5  rDev -15%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Mo's Wines and Spirits, Fairfield, CT
12 oz. bottle; Mixed 6 Pack
Bottling Date: 10/10/06
Pint Glass

A: Poured a copper color with very little head. Didn't have many bubbles but left a nice coating on the glass.

S: Woody tasting with hints of sweet spices.

T: Very fresh, strong and piney with a slightly bitter aftertaste.

M: Not much there; no bubbles, too thin.

D: Although I was happy with it, I do have many more to try this winter and I would not be disappointed if I didn't have it again until next year.

Serving type: bottle

01-16-2007 01:04:57 | More by hopbar

djeucalyptus

Oregon

3.05/5  rDev -15%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

a. poured a medium amber with some brown woody colors. A decent finger and a half head of fluffy white faded slowly leaving some really impressive chunky and gummy lacing that followed down the glass... beautiful on the whole.

s. nothing too exciting... average roasted malt and some hops of the neutral variety, neither citrusy nor piney nor floral... just relatively neutral. As the brew warmed, the aroma grew a bit stronger, but nothing more than average malt and neutral hop presented itself.

t. Pretty much on level with the aroma. Some roasted malt, a bit of candy and a touch of sweet dried fruit. A bitter hop presence, but one of the more neutral hoppings I've encountered, nothing very exciting. No traces of any spicing for a winter warmer.

m. thin and a bit heavy on carbonation, giving it a bit of light creaminess. Not bad, but nothing amazing. The bitterness from the hops is definitely there on the tongue, giving it a bit of character.

d. meh. Not horrible... decent for a middle of the road winter ale. I wouldn't really call it a warmer, more like an average hoppy amber. Might be a decent introduction for someone unfamiliar with the "winter" style, but really kind of middle of the road, and there are so many other good options out there, this one just falls off the radar.

Serving type: bottle

10-17-2008 19:47:18 | More by djeucalyptus

VtBrew

Vermont

3.05/5  rDev -15%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Color-Dark Red almost garnet like. Head is frothy long lasting and nice lacing.

Aroma-Deep Malty warm aroma caramel notes light hop aroma.

Taste- Strong alcohol taste. Not sure what hop was used but it smells good taste not so much.

Drinkbability- Would be a great winter beer without the scary spice/hop

Serving type: bottle

03-29-2009 19:58:16 | More by VtBrew

FanofHefe

Illinois

3.05/5  rDev -15%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Served on-tap in a pint glass. Clear amber body with a nice one finger white head. Decent lacing along the glass. Looks good.

Unfortunately, looks are the best feature of this beer. Faint lager-type aroma of malt. The flavor is also lacking. Bready malt taste with maybe a hint of the expected winter spices in the background.

Perhaps freshness of the keg is in play here. But, it was recommended by the bartender as a "hoppy" beer. Wrong. Average offering at best.

Serving type: on-tap

02-23-2011 00:04:41 | More by FanofHefe

mactrail

California

3.05/5  rDev -15%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Lovely cherry-toned coppery amber in color. Nice foam in the Brewery Vivant tulip with some champagne bubbles and a pleasant spritz on the tongue. Flattens out after a while to a dull fruity ache.

Moderate body makes for a rich but thirst-quenching gulp. Slight fragrance of caramel with a little mustiness. Timid sweetness subsides into dark graininess. A touch of wintergreen and kale. Settles into a long, long hoppy taste that is rather bitter and radiates that herbal note. Just a little dry woodiness as if there was a splash of Belgian yeast and a glug out of the barrel.

This used to be one of the several winter beers I'd look forward to, and it does have some fruity charms. Increasing bitterness in the aftertaste wins back no old friends, however. From the 22 oz bottle bought at Baron's Marketplace in San Diego.

Serving type: bottle

01-06-2013 04:49:48 | More by mactrail

mbunje

California

3.03/5  rDev -15.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

This is a December 2005 12 oz bottle poured into a Pint Glass. Reviewed as a "winter" brew.

Appearance: Walnut Brown with 1/2" of head, dissapating in a couple minutes. few carbonation bubbles.

Smell: Mildly sweet, nothing overpowering. Lacks Identity, especially for a "winter" brew.

Taste: A little bitter up front with a dry finish. very mild spice, but nothing distinctive. Again, weak identity.

Mouthfeel: Light for a winter brew or even for an everyday amber. Smooth.

Drinkability: I could drink lots of this because it is smooth and it doesn't kill your palate, but I have no desire too drink much of this.

Overall: This "winter" brew is all label. Color is about right, but it lacks identity in the smell and taste and the experience is ordinary.

Serving type: bottle

12-24-2005 01:26:14 | More by mbunje

Zorro

California

3.03/5  rDev -15.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A clear red colored beer with an OK short tan head.

The smell is sweet and malty with a woody tea like aroma and faint hints of spice. Spice is mainly vanilla and spruce with maybe a hint of citrus.

The taste begins malty and a little woody in the finish. Vanilla and a bitter hop finish are the first things to emerge here with a spruce or pine flavor.

The mouthfeel is OK.

An OK winter warmer and nothing more. If I want a good version of the style I would get 2 below or an Alaskan Winter Ale.

Serving type: bottle

10-04-2007 04:44:50 | More by Zorro

wesl56

Florida

3.03/5  rDev -15.6%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

a) looks great, nice reddish color with a good sized head at first that leaves pretty heavy lacing all the way down

s) i didnt really notice much smell, slightly hoppy, floral hints

t) taste is rather weak, almost watered down... does leave a nice "ale-ish" aftertaste

m) medium-light, carbonation evident

d) very easy to drink, as i said tastes a little on the watery side

overall, not disappointed, but was expecting something different from a "winter beer" probably would not buy again

Serving type: bottle

10-24-2008 01:31:15 | More by wesl56

TheManiacalOne

Rhode Island

3.03/5  rDev -15.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

On-tap 2/12/09 at Doherty's East Ave Irish Pub in Pawtucket, RI, served in a pint glass.

A: The beer is a deep reddish brown color, with a thin off-white head that fades quickly and leaves a thick lace on the glass.

S: The aroma is faint but contains caramelized malts, hops and some spice.

T: The taste is malty and a little smoky up front with flavors of caramel and spices. The hops presence is pretty strong for the style and there isn't as much sweetness as most Winter Warmers. The after-taste is slightly bitter.

M: Crisp but not very smooth, medium body, medium carbonation, finish is dry.

D: A little tasty, goes down ok, not too filling, mild kick, not the best representation of style, it's not too bad but there are definitely a lot of other beers in the style that I would pick first.

Serving type: on-tap

02-13-2009 16:06:35 | More by TheManiacalOne

cbl2

New York

3/5  rDev -16.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Appearance:

Crystal clear brown with quarter inch white head.

Smell:

Predominantly hoppy with a hint of pine keeping with the season.

Taste/Mouthfeel:

Not sure what distinguishes this beverage from Red Hook's IPA. Overly hoppy thogh some malts appear midbrew to be quickly quashed by the strong hop presence. Not my cup of tea.

Serving type: on-tap

06-21-2004 14:54:52 | More by cbl2

danielocean03

Indiana

3/5  rDev -16.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Poured from a 12oz bottle into a pint glass. Appearance is a murky mahogany color with some reddish tinge to it. Slightly vigorous pour leaves a thin finger of fizzy off-white head that quickly fades away to a light ring of white lacing. Aroma is hoppy and of sweet caramel malts, very light on the nose, slightly grainy as well. Taste starts out hoppy and slightly bitter, similar to an IPA, then transforms into a sweet and malty finish with a light bittering dry aftertaste. Mouthfeel is light bodied with low carbonation levels, goes down smooth. Easy to drink, decent brew although a far cry from the style's normal characteristics. The hoppiness is far from overbearing or anything, the bottle reads "assertively hopped", and it is, although this brew doesn't taste much like a winter warmer. Not enough carmel sweetness and maltiness to warm with. All around a solid beer with an overall bland character but worth a shot, but not if you're in the mood for a winter warmer.

Serving type: bottle

11-01-2006 00:46:48 | More by danielocean03

dteal1

Louisiana

3/5  rDev -16.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 2.5

I'm having this one at room temperature. It pours amber with not much of a head. I can smell the spice in it, but just barely. Tastes bitter and dry, slightly spicy. Mouthfeel was smooth and aptly warming. Drinkable? Not very. Too dry. Too boring. Not as good as the Anchor Christmas for sure.

Serving type: bottle

12-09-2007 05:00:43 | More by dteal1

PhageLab

Virginia

3/5  rDev -16.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Poured into my Duvel tulip.

A - Amber brown, yet transparent brew with a decent head. Very minimal amounts of lacing left behind.

S - Caramel malt aroma, bit of toastiness, pleasant, yet weak.

T - Almost like a nut brown light. Very faint flavor profile of malt, sweet caramel notes, and some mild spice. Pretty one sided.

M - Thin bodied. Mild carbonation. No aftertastes or residues.

D - Average across the board. Pretty forgettable overall. Not bad by any means, just not anything to seek out. Redhook can do better.

Serving type: bottle

01-08-2008 19:08:19 | More by PhageLab

drpimento

Wisconsin

3/5  rDev -16.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Not too bad. Aroma's a bit hoppy but none in the flavor. Flavor, however, is decent with a ttinge of dry-roastyness. Nice rich dark amber, reddish color. Light head that lasts somewhat. Almost no lace. Fairly balanced. ok mouthfeel. Decent finish. Could be a session beer.

Serving type: bottle

12-02-2008 00:25:30 | More by drpimento

tbern007

Colorado

3/5  rDev -16.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

3.0 across the board.
Copper clear. Thin to no head. Undercarbonated.
Light hop/earthy smell, maybe some grass.
Taste is mild all around. Every Redhook beer I've had tastes like a good beer that has been watered down. This one is no exception. Light hop, mal. If this is a winter beer, where are the spices? I detect NONE. Mild sweet aftertaste. This beer is decent and drinkable but I sure had higher expectations. Average all around.

Serving type: bottle

12-27-2010 18:46:42 | More by tbern007

rlshep

Ohio

3/5  rDev -16.4%
look: 1.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2

Date on bottle: 10/19/2010

Aroma: Malty. Caramel, pear

Appearance: Pours finger and half off-white head. Nice lacing. Dissipates slowly. Amber golden color. A few floaties.

Flavor: Yeasty. Caramel, Apple, Pear and a touch of Vanilla. Medium high bitterness. Light harshness possibly from bitterness.

Mouthfeel: Medium mouthfeel. High carbonation. Alcohol present.

Overall: At almost 6% this did not age well. Would like to try a fresher version.

Serving type: bottle

07-25-2011 02:17:24 | More by rlshep

Ellbert

Ohio

2.98/5  rDev -17%
look: 5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 2.5

Appearance: The look of this beer is exceptional. It is a burnt brown color with a huge pillowy head. There is tons of sticky lacing that makes this beer look geourgious.

Smell: The smell is of burnt caramel lightly hopped with a few spices. Not bad.

Taste: A little harsh. The flavors do not blend well. The malt is the backbone of this brew but the hops seem very harsh. Maybe not the right hop for this beer.

Mouthfeel: A good mouthfeel, nice and rich and thick.

A decent brew but I would not want to have it again.

Serving type: bottle

01-09-2005 19:16:08 | More by Ellbert

emerge077

Illinois

2.98/5  rDev -17%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Free bottle at a holiday party, the best kind of beer...
Odd bottle shape, like a mini-growler cylinder with a cap that had an oval country code sticker printed on it. Reddish darker amber color with a lightly off white skim of foam on top. Random spotty lacing, the skim parts on the surface after a couple of sips.

Lagery yeast aroma, some malty breadiness, and nondescript unidentifiable spice.

Flavors are similarly ill defined, some bread malt and vague dry spiciness, but utterly indistinct and nebulous. Tea and herbal notes, kind of like an old pale ale with faded hops. Sharp and highly carbonated, seems like a lager with odd adjuncts in it. Not a seasonal beer to seek out really, glad it was free.

Serving type: bottle

12-15-2012 04:46:27 | More by emerge077

redwolf1

North Carolina

2.95/5  rDev -17.8%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A-12oz. long neck bottle with a bottled date of 10/04/05. Also, the label on the bottle has changed in comparison to the one shown. Poured a nice dark auburn with about 1/4 inch head. In fact, a very nice head is still present halfway through drinking and about 10 minutes later. Good retention.
S-The smell is a little hard to pinpoint because I can't quite figure out if there is a smell at all. Not much there to speak of.
T&M-The sweetness that most winter seasonals have is not present, although it does go down smooth, probably because of the malt. Very subtle alcohol bite at the back of the throat reminiscent of good English ales (but like I said, reminiscent, not equal to).
D-Is the beer drinkable? Of course it is. Like many of us have stated before, we'd probably drink several if given the choice, but it's also not an awe-inspiring beer for the style, rather average in my opinion.

Serving type: bottle

11-06-2005 00:13:44 | More by redwolf1

MSchae1017

Georgia

2.95/5  rDev -17.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2

This beer pours into a typical pint glass from the 12oz bottle. The beer is golden-amber with a small off white head that leaves a small ring and laces only a bit. The smell is slightly hoppy displaying citrus notes and has a bit of a biscuity and breadyness to it. The taste is almost all pale malts with the same malt profile as the smell adn a touch of hops on teh finish. THe mouthfeel is full bodied with some lingering syrupyness. Overall seems more like an blonde or an APA, and not my favorite as it seams a bit amatuerish with the way it is all put together.

Serving type: bottle

12-13-2007 22:05:53 | More by MSchae1017