Redhook Winterhook - Redhook Ale Brewery

metter98

New York

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

A: The beer is clear chestnut amber in color and has a light amount of visible carbonation. It poured with a half finger high light beige head that gradually died down and left thick lacing down the sides of the glass and a thin layer of bubbles consistently coating the surface.
S: There are aromas of chocolate and nutty malts in the nose.
T: The taste is similar to the smell and quite malty with some initial hints of sweetness and some hints of spices in the finish. No bitterness is detectable.
M: It feels a bit more than medium-bodied on the palate and has a moderate amount of carbonation. There is little if any warming from the alcohol.
O: There’s not much ‘warming’ in this Winter Warmer, but it is an easy-to-drink winter beer if you are looking for something that is malty and fuller bodied.

Serving type: bottle

01-31-2012 02:25:27 | More by metter98

tdm168

North Carolina

3.58/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Pours a dark caramel amber with a mountain of brownish, off white head that is dense and foamy and has great retention. The nose has a rather big hop aroma that is piny, earthy, and spicy. The flavor has a caramel sweetness to it as well as a slight spice character with hints of cinnamon and nutmeg. The finish is pretty hoppy with some citrusy, piny, earthy notes. The mouthfeel is medium bodied with a good amount of carbonation.

I like that there is a winter warmer that is a little hoppier and not so over spiced, this is though a little simple and I'm indifferent about it overall. Nothing really stands out for me.

Serving type: bottle

01-28-2012 22:41:23 | More by tdm168

Boppar

New Hampshire

3.45/5  rDev -3.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

From a 12 oz. bottle into a pint glass.

A: Pours a medium red-brown with bright copper highlights and 1 finger of foamy head. Had retention is excellent. I poured this baby about 10 minutes ago and there's still about 1/3 finger of head.

S: Fruity esters, faint alcohol spice. Oh, and blackberries. There are definitely blackberries.

T: Hops. Bam! That is not at all what I had been expecting after smelling it. The hops hit right away, and sustain throughout. There is a moderately dry, lingering hop finish.

M: The mouthfeel is thin and vigorously carbonated.

O: Not bad but I don't know if I'd get it again.

Serving type: bottle

01-28-2012 21:26:43 | More by Boppar

Halcyondays

California

4.08/5  rDev +13.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

22 oz. bomber, $1.99, I've got to take advantage of it,

A: Pours a deep clear amber to red with a frothy medium white head, great lace.

S: Has a solid hoppiness, grapefruit, citrus, crystal malt.

T: Heavy crystal/red malt flavour. Has a substantial bitterness. Good flavour, like an Old Jubilation meets Full Sail Wassail.

M: Medium-bodied, resiny, thick feeling, robust, good overall body.

O: Why can't Longhammer have this kind of hop character?. This is real good beer and at sub-$2 a bomber it's a steal. One of Redhook's best without a doubt.

Serving type: bottle

01-12-2012 06:09:12 | More by Halcyondays

lwillitz

Florida

3.9/5  rDev +8.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12-oz bottle into Samuel Smith "Tulip" pint glass

A - 3+ fingers of light tan head fill the glass above a crystal-clear copper/brown body with a few carbonation bubbles rising; light for a winter warmer, but beautiful nonetheless; nice lace

S - caramel sweetness with a grassy hop bite

T - grains and caramel up front with a hint of smoke, sharp hop bite kicks in, some smoke in the dry finish

M - medium body, well-carbonated, smooth, slick and oily

O - This is the best Redhook I have tried. It's not quite what I would expect from a winter warmer, but what it is is good. Very approachable.

Serving type: bottle

01-06-2012 03:39:01 | More by lwillitz

NardiByNature

Massachusetts

4.08/5  rDev +13.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Brewed 11/13 at the brewery in New Hampshire.

Poured into a pint glass and watched a good finger-and-a-half of textured khaki head mount itself on top of a clear and copper body. It's cool to see pretty lacing and nice head retention on this style of beer.

Smells like clove, wood, warming alcohol. Nice bitterness in the taste that doesn't come through so much on the smell. I like how this beer isn't too spiced up - it's a warmer for sure, but it finishes clean (maybe even dry) and it's not overly sweet. Leaves a nice taste.

This is the best beer I've tried from Redhook and a great one in the style. I liked it more than Great Lakes Christmas Ale.

Serving type: bottle

01-06-2012 00:56:58 | More by NardiByNature

steve8robin

Massachusetts

3.75/5  rDev +4.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Christmas gift from friends. 12oz bottle, 10/05/11 date...

A: A super clear, filtered, deep dark red with a small 1/2" white head that fades to a few bubbles atop the brew. Good.

S: I get a citrus / pineapple hop upfront with a mild lemon / rye scent quickly following. A mild boozy scent makes an appearance on the back. Decent.

T: Very interesting for the style. It opens with a smoky rye flavor blended with a subtle earthy hop bite. This gives way to a mild watery mild metallic taste followed by a slight bite on the back driven by the hop and the booze. Good.

M: Medium body with a good carbonation. A dry finish. Decent.

O: All in all, this is a decent brew. Glad I got to try it as it gives an interesting take on the style. It definitely has it's flaws, but a good brew to try if you like the winter warmer style.

Serving type: bottle

01-02-2012 02:49:53 | More by steve8robin

twiggamortis420

Texas

3.15/5  rDev -12.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

12 oz bottle with a bottled on date of Oct. 31 2011. Pours a crystal clear caramel color with a nice, dense cap of tan head. Retention is good and lacing strong.

Nose is toasted malts with some spruce hop/spice aroma. Some sweetness comes through and also shows a light nutty yeast.

Winter Hook does a good job showcasing some toasted maltiness and a light roasty/hoppy bitterness on the finish. Hops have a moderate presence all the way through and the yeast is pretty clean for the most part. Pretty straightforward beer that is more akin to a hop-leaning amber ale than a winter warmer, but decently tasty brew. There are too many great winter seasonals to buy this one very often though.

Serving type: bottle

12-31-2011 18:58:35 | More by twiggamortis420

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

lawlerj

Nebraska

3.63/5  rDev +1.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a 12 oz. bottle into a tulip glass.

A - Pours a translucent ruby amber with a three finger off white head that dissipates to a thi layer of foam. Minimal lacing.

S - A decenly strong malt body highlighted with a fair portion of bittering hops. Some juicy/fruity notes as well, blending with sweeter caramel.

T - A strong caramel malt backbone balanced with a fair does of bitter hops, rounded out with some floral notes and a bit of roasty/toasty notes.

M - Medium bodied, smooth. Finish is a bit dry with the hop character. Light carbonation.

O - Overall, a decent winter warmer. Nothing super fancy, but the hop character was a nice deviation from the norm for the style.

Serving type: bottle

12-17-2011 02:32:33 | More by lawlerj

DrDemento456

Pennsylvania

3.28/5  rDev -8.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

A - Good enough with a dark brown color and a full inch of slightly opaque head. A bit of stickiness to the head as well.

S - Smells has only a slight bit of wood but mostly sweet malts of caramel or toffee.

T - A bit of herbal taste that is somewhere between medicine and tea with bittering hops and a sweet finish. I want to say it's balanced but that herbal tea flavor is giving me a dry taste in my mouth.

M - Light to medium but very dry and herbal.

Overall not something I would reach for again and pretty light for a winter warmer. Drink is balanced for what it is but it just taste like their ESB only double which means too much herbal tea flavors.

Serving type: bottle

12-15-2011 01:29:01 | More by DrDemento456

yesyouam

New York

3.43/5  rDev -4.5%
look: 5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Red Hook Winterhook is a super clear, dark amber beer with a soft, waxy, light khaki head that has outstanding retention. There is some lightly sweet malt in the nose, with a hint of medicine and wood resin. It's medium-light bodied with a slightly gritty finish. It doesn't taste too sweet, but there is plenty of malt and a little medicinal bitterness. It's very warming. It tastes stronger than it is.

Serving type: bottle

12-12-2011 21:17:24 | More by yesyouam

UDbeernut

New York

3.58/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

6 pack picked up at the local beer place. Pours a lovely tan color into the pint glass. Capped by a small off white head with good retention. Clear with good bubbling carbonation. Nose is sweet with malt, caramel, orange zest. Taste adds grassy and floral notes, toffee. Light tannin. Leans to the sweet side this one does, but not cloying. Medium bodied, alcohol is slightly warming. Enjoyable.

Serving type: bottle

12-10-2011 23:36:25 | More by UDbeernut

JuicesFlowing

Kansas

2.78/5  rDev -22.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Poured into a standard pint glass. The beer is a deep copper, much like a red ale. The off-white head dissipates to a film, an airy film. Random spots of lacing. Smells slightly like toffee with hints of caramel malts. The beer tastes bitter. Like bitter caramel and toffee, with burnt malts and sour hops. A sticky finish.

Overall, I really don't know what this beer is trying to be. It's all over the place, and I don't like the bitterness in it. Needs more malts and caramel.

Serving type: bottle

12-03-2011 21:14:22 | More by JuicesFlowing

harrymel

Washington

1.75/5  rDev -51.3%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 1 | feel: 3 | overall: 1.5

Bottled 20SEP11 (because winter starts in September now?)

A: Copper with a finger of off-white foam which falls quickly to a sheet of the same. near cobweb lace. Excellent clarity.
S: Caramel malts with hints of metal.
T: Herbal, with a near lavender flavor. Nasty.
M: Thin with moderate carb.
O: Been drinking some shit beer tonight, getting tired of it.

Serving type: bottle

11-30-2011 09:13:55 | More by harrymel

demuzik

Oregon

4/5  rDev +11.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance is a deep, rich amber - poured from a 12oz bottle with a half inch head, lacing was solid throughout the sipping process.

Hop-heavy on the aroma; piney, slightly spicy hop aroma. Toasty, roasty aromas from the malt.

The taste is quite enjoyable; a bit stark, hops taste like Chinook and other things piney - this one reminds me like a tamed down "Big Foot" from Sierra Nevada. Nice caramel undertones to carry the heavy hopping on this one.

Mouthfeel is done well; a lot of malt and hop punch without weighing the tongue down too much in syrupy weightiness - the weight is just about right.

Overall - worth a try - at least worth getting a 6er - if you like hoppy, big flavored beers.

Serving type: bottle

11-30-2011 03:09:14 | More by demuzik

hustlesworth

Ohio

4.05/5  rDev +12.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A- hazy copper amber with a decent off white head and a good amount of lace.

S- mild aroma of sweet caramel malts and earthy English hops. Raisin, date, prune, toffee, and sherry.

T- well balanced flavor, toasty, woodsy and sweet with understated bitterness. Fruity tartness comes in with red grape, plum, raisin, and berries. Finishes with an earthy bitterness and a bit chocolatey.

MF- nicely full feel with proper carbonation. Lots of grain went into this one. Creamy and rich.

D- surprisingly good from an underestimated brewery. Anheuser Busch has the rights to this one around here, and thanks to my sales rep Ty for the sample.

Serving type: bottle

11-26-2011 08:10:25 | More by hustlesworth

StaveHooks

Oklahoma

3.28/5  rDev -8.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

A - Pours a clear chestnut body with red highlights. 2 fingers of off-white head.

S - Yeasty, candied grain, caramel malt, brown sugar, candied orange.

T - Toasty grain, brown sugar, spicy pale malt, brown bread crust, a light dusting of cocoa powder, caramel malts, nutty yeast, cascade-like hop creating a citrus edge against the malt. Finishes crisp and semi-dry.

M - Light side of medium, medium carbonation, slick but drys out on the finish.

Light and mellow winter warmer. This is a good all around holiday beer. The hops and cocoa seem to give it a holiday spice without being forced. Good stuff for $7.99.

Serving type: bottle

11-26-2011 03:53:05 | More by StaveHooks

SolipsismalCat

Pennsylvania

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

Poured into a pint glass. Reviewed alongside Boulder Never Summer Ale.

A: Clear copper color with one-finger, off-white, foamy head that lasted a couple of minutes. Okay lacing.

S: Toasted malt. Hops. Mild.

T: Moderate sweetness and moderate bitterness. Floral and lightly toasted malt. Solid hop bitterness.

M: Light to medium bodied with lively carbonation. Warm.

O: I generally prefer less hopped winter warmers, but this wasn't bad. I feel like it was very comparable to the Never Summer Ale and would call it a tie.

Serving type: bottle

11-25-2011 04:33:10 | More by SolipsismalCat

PrivateEquity

Kansas

3.88/5  rDev +8.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Dark amber, clear appearance is inviting, good lacing

S - Malty, grainy, caramel nose.

T - Good taste with "maybe" a touch too much bitter on the back end. Not too complex, but solid.

M - Right amount of mouthfeel. Good amount of crispness

O - Very drinkable beer. Definitely let it warm up a bit, it is uninteresting when cold.

Serving type: bottle

11-23-2011 23:45:15 | More by PrivateEquity

Rayek

Colorado

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

Winterhook hits my glass with a deep amber and active carbonation. A small and fizzy cream head quickly falls to a patchy film. The beer leaves bits of lace.

Toasted grain and citrus hops do most of the work. A little pine is present as well. The medium body is semi-dry and has the right fizz.

This is a nice; if rather nondescript, beer. There are more interesting Winter Warmers out there, but this is still a decent beer.

Serving type: bottle

11-22-2011 03:20:59 | More by Rayek

sixerofelixir

Ohio

3.85/5  rDev +7.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

12 oz short bottle. Bottled-on date clearly printed on bottom of front label.

Pours a nice, deep copper-brown. An off-white head rings and stays. Smell is chiefly brown sugar. Taste is a bitter affair, in a good way - pleasant mild hops, and the underpinning acrid nuttiness of a brown ale. Feel is tight and tart, with ginger coming into presence. Finishes with a metallic and grapefruit aftertaste. Overall, a decent winter warmer, that I'm thankful isn't slamming me over the face with spices.

Serving type: bottle

11-21-2011 06:15:54 | More by sixerofelixir

mattsdenney

Tennessee

4.33/5  rDev +20.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a 12 oz. bottle into a NB globe glass.

A: Pours clear, a dark copper/amber color with a two finger head. Leaves a sticky, bubbly film as it settles. Looking very good so far.

S: Malt and toasted grain, light hop scent. Caramel sweetness.

T: Sweet malt, herbal grain, and toasted caramel up front with a nice hoppy backbone. Flavorful, and very well balanced. Some spiciness but not as much as other Winter Warmers.

M: Light and bubbly with a dry finish.

O: Overall I really enjoy this beer. The Winter Warmer designation always throws me b/c you never know what you'll get. This beer is warming, well balanced and perfect for a cold night. Very drinkable, will buy again.

Serving type: bottle

11-19-2011 04:37:39 | More by mattsdenney

ShwarzAl3r

Minnesota

3.98/5  rDev +10.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Has a golden light brown color with a small head retention mostly around the edge of the glass.

S: A very clean flower and hop smell with just a hint of malt.

T: The very sweet flower flavor comes on at first and then the full hop body takes over with a minuscule malty background flavor. The overall taste is aromatic and sweet with a slight bitterness but it has a well balanced hops profile.

M: It has a full body that is slightly creamy, yet dry from the hoppy flower flavor.

O: This beer is a definite must try. It is has an exclusive floral taste that is well complimented with its strong hop profile. The value of this beer is also great, the flavor of this beer is very worth a price.

Serving type: bottle

11-17-2011 02:07:17 | More by ShwarzAl3r

Fatehunter

Oregon

3.9/5  rDev +8.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured into a glass stein. Copper, transparent with a finger of head.
Roasted malt smell, almost smoky.
Good malt all the way through, big bitter at the end. Balanced.
Bubbly (not too much), medium body.
Perfect winter drinker and quite easy to throw back a few with no problems.

Serving type: bottle

11-12-2011 21:30:18 | More by Fatehunter