Winter Warmer - Garrison Brewing Company

Kremlock

Ontario (Canada)

3.98/5  rDev +4.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Mahogany in colour and pours a frothy with head that drops to nothing in a matter of seconds.

S: Booze, raisins, cinnamon, fruit cake, and a hint of bubble gum in the background.

T: rum raisins, hints of licorice, cinnamon, cloves, caramelized sugar. It has a rye bread flarour to it and hops bitterness.

M: Med-Full bodies, med carbonation that is great as it cleans up the palate. Bitterness is assertive but does not distract from the maltiness that is present.

O: This is a great winter warmer that is well balanced, yet presents a great bitterness backbone that lacks in many others.

Serving type: bottle

12-23-2012 23:11:11 | More by Kremlock

joemcgrath27

Alberta (Canada)

3.73/5  rDev -2.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

nothing like a winter warmer on a summer day, big ups to andrenaline for the east coast hookup
A - swampy brown, thumb of tan head dissipated slowly leaving a fairly consistent lace ring
S - super spiced, dried fruit, smell like christmas cake to a tee
T - marachino cherries and other dark fruit, apples, fresh bread/cake, cinnamon, nutmeg, and other holiday spice, just like the nose its a christmas cake
M - surprisingly light and even a little on the thin side, finishes spicy
O - captures the essence of the kind of drink you want to warm your soul on a cold evening, and it works almost as well in summer, a fine seasonal

Serving type: bottle

06-16-2012 03:36:45 | More by joemcgrath27

mintjellie

Ontario (Canada)

3.95/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Mahogany brown, ruby highlights, two-finger beige head. Fair retention, very little lacing. Inviting spicecake aroma with notes of allspice, nutmeg, clove, cinnamon, and even a hint of banana. Malt-forward with sticky toffee pudding and spice notes. Mild sweetness and low carbonation help lend some richness to its medium body. Spiced enough for the flavourings to assert themselves without over-doing it, this is a tasty winter ale.

Serving type: bottle

04-27-2012 20:17:39 | More by mintjellie

biegaman

Ontario (Canada)

3.73/5  rDev -2.1%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

The brewer said this beer would have me dreaming of winter nights and, indeed, its dark and kind of dreary tone has me thinking just that. The pumpkin highlighting that shows up in the light, however, kindles a much warmer complexion and *almost* let's pass some clarity. Looks good. Only fault is the total lack of carbonation.

Winter Warmer smells like it belongs with the turkey or pumpkin pie in a Christmas or Thanksgiving spread. The cinnamon and clove are highly fragrant and carry a highly seasonal character, a comforting blend of savory spice that makes a remarkably relaxing aromatherapy. The bouquet also has a delicate sweetness to it.

With flavors of - not only cinnamon and brown sugar - but honey, caramel, nougat, hazelnut, ginger and toffee, it's a wonder that Winter Warmer doesn't teach a baking class. Seriously, the beer may not exactly be low in calories, but relative to the things it tastes like, sweet-toothed weight-watchers out there have made a new friend.

Flavors of clove and cinnamon are readily appreciable in the taste but their heat is much watered down. As its dark colour attests this is a well malted beer, sufficiently so to really tone down the gusto on the spice. The same can be said for its sweetness; the brown sugar is tasted but there's no kind of candied sensation whatsoever.

Winter Warmer is a beer worth cozying up to. It's got just the sweet, savory warmth needed on those miserable, grey, chilly, rainy winter days. Atlantic Canadians, especially, should keep a few bottles next to the bottled water and canned beans in basic emergency kits. This is a beer that could help you weather some stiff storms.

Serving type: bottle

04-23-2012 20:16:39 | More by biegaman

andrenaline

Ontario (Canada)

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

From notes... Cheers to peensteen for shipping up some of the Garrison beers that were part of the LCBO brewery feature.

A - Pours a golden copper colour with a dark red hue, finger of head with solid retention and some sporadic lacing.

S - Sweet cinnamon, cloves, hints of pepper and toffee malt on the finish.

T - Solid bready caramel backbone, the cinnamon and cloves are present, but not overwhelming, hints of licorice and coffee linger alongside the sweet toffee finish.

M - Medium bodied, smooth and finishes wet.

O - A tasty winter ale that boasts loads of flavour, but whose spice is nicely balanced. Definitely a worthy brew and glad I was able to procure a sample.

Serving type: bottle

04-22-2012 16:58:20 | More by andrenaline

BGDrock

Ontario (Canada)

3.28/5  rDev -13.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Appearance: like mahogany, or male syrup; clear; tan head leaves some thick lace

Aroma: some cinnamon, sweet malt; very light; hint of orange

Taste & Mouthfeel: of spice, predominantly cloves, and cinnamon not coming out as much; only a mild sweetness which is cut by the spices and a bitter, dry finish; herbal and woodsy - bitterness is of resin and long lasting; medium body

Overall: with minimal sweetness and moderate spice, doesn't really feel like it would warm me up in winter...not terribly interesting, but not unpleasant

Serving type: bottle

04-13-2012 01:27:18 | More by BGDrock

CAMRAhardliner

Ontario (Canada)

3.78/5  rDev -0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours deep cherry red. The head is exceedingly shortlived - but the leftover ring musters up a good amount of lace on the glass. Cloves and cinnamon as well as ginger, anise and molasses fill the nose. The taste follows suit with lots of spices mingled with rum and fruit cake notes. A cookie dough maltiness is also present throughout. Hops are largely overshadowed by the onslaught of spices, providing just a light bitterness. The mouthfeel is thick and creamy with fine carbonation bubbles. Spices and doughy malts make up the finish.

This is a decent example of a Winter Warmer, though (as is often the case imo) they over did it with the adjunct spices. They tend to dominate too much. Still, a very worthy beer from an excellent brewery.

Serving type: bottle

03-29-2012 01:19:35 | More by CAMRAhardliner

SebD

Ontario (Canada)

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

Appearance: It has a nice dark brown/amber color to it with some ruby hues coming through. It has a nice tan head that dies down moderately and leaves minimal lacing.

Smell: The aromas definitly give out hints of cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, brown sugar and a roasty malt character.

Taste: Like the aromas, it has that spice aspect to it, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, brown sugar and a nice dark fruit character at the end.

Mouthfeel: It has a medium carbonation with a nice overall balance and feel.

Drinkability: It's a very smooth drinkable beer accompanied with good sweet flavors and aromas.

Serving type: bottle

03-06-2012 20:25:12 | More by SebD

Kartoffeln

Ontario (Canada)

3.6/5  rDev -5.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A: Pours a deep, clear ruby with a sizeable, pillowy head of dense and creamy tan foam. Excellent retention, gradually sinking to a thin cap and leaving good lacing.

S: A sweet mix of cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, bubblegum, black cherries, and candied figs nearly overwhelms the bready yeast and biscuity caramel malt base.

T: Cinnamon, cloves, and turbinado sugar with a strong undertone of fresh stonefruits on the sip, immediately mingling with bready yeast and biscuit malt with a slightly roasty character. Herbal and citric hops, with an orange zest note, come through and dominate towards the swallow. It's not a bad palate, but the malt and yeast get steamrolled and it increasingly feels two-toned between the spices and hops.

M: Medium-bodied with moderate carbonation and a creamy texture. The hops counterbalance the sweet and spicy flavour profile quite effectively, despite the issues above.

D: Not a bad winter warmer, but it goes too heavy on the sugar and spice for my liking, covering up what nuances may be in the malt. I doubt I'll go looking for it again, but it's worth trying.

Serving type: bottle

03-05-2012 23:22:53 | More by Kartoffeln

liamt07

Ontario (Canada)

3.4/5  rDev -10.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 2.5

Bottle from the LCBO, bottled December 2, 2011. 500ml into a tulip.

Deep violet with some mahogany around the edges, beige head with modest density and good lacing. Nose is nicely spiced, cinnamon and cloves among other winter spicing. Brown sugar and some dark fruits; soft and inviting but I get a slight sense that something is off with how these sugary notes are being presented. Taste has quite a bit more of the spice and sugars, but there's some disconnect between the spicing and the way the malts work on the palate. Maybe a hint of metal or plastic, a little 'dirty' in flavour but I'm struggling to put my finger on what's off here. Medium full feel and appropriate carbonation. Drinkable, but again, I'm deterred by the lack of fluidity of the flavours and their integration. Maybe something's off tonight, but I certainly wasn't into this.

Serving type: bottle

02-29-2012 01:38:20 | More by liamt07

DaPan

Ontario (Canada)

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

Bottle from the LCBO brewery feature. Tasting on February 19, 2012.

Poured into victory brewing snifter. 1 finger of off-white head, hung around for a little while before dispersing. Oily residue visible in the head.

Aroma is of wood cask, slight booziness, bubble gum.

Taste has a gentle warming bite of alcohol, cloves, cinnamon, and brown sugar.

Mouthfeel is creamy and smooth, almost oily.

Very nice warmer, easy to drink and great balance without overwhealming spiciness.

Serving type: bottle

02-25-2012 23:03:14 | More by DaPan

bryehn

Ontario (Canada)

3.5/5  rDev -8.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

With spring fast approaching, I figured it was time to start clearing my winter beer backlog. Served at about 50 in an oversized wine glass.

Pours a deep ruby colour with a medium-sized tan head that burns off after a few minutes, leaving a frothy collar and minimal lacing.

Spices dominate the aroma of this winter warmer, namely cloves. There is a dark toffee backing sweetened by brown sugar, along with a plum or raisin-like note.

The taste is rather sweet and also dominated by the spice blend. The cloves and cinnamon do work well together, but tend to overshadow the rest of the taste. Chocolate and toffee, as well as a bright berry flavour can all be detected in the background. The finish is dry and peppery.

Thin-bodied with just enough carbonation to provide a pop on the front of the tongue. Syrupy on the tongue. The aftertaste has a nice dryness and bitterness to it, which helps balance out the sweetness a bit. A chocolate toffee taste lingers on the back of the tongue and throat.

Not a bad beer or example of the style per se, but I wish the spices were toned down a bit to let the nice flavours shine. Bit of a letdown for me, I won't seek this out again.

Serving type: bottle

02-14-2012 21:36:37 | More by bryehn

TheSevenDuffs

Ontario (Canada)

3.85/5  rDev +1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Bottle to Duvel tulip. Bottled on date of 12/02/11.

A - Dark mahogany with some ruby glow around the edges and one finger of bubbly cream coloured head.

S - Big clove aroma up front that overpowers the lighter cinnamon and caramel aromas in the background.

T - Clove dominates the palate as the nose indicated and gives way to cinnamon, sweet caramel and brown sugar. The alcohol is slightly warming but well hidden overall. The sweetness from the malt base and the brown sugar cuts through the big spice flavour well, providing a good balance.

M - Medium body and slightly creamy. Carbonation is moderate.

Serving type: bottle

02-12-2012 18:23:36 | More by TheSevenDuffs

spinrsx

Ontario (Canada)

3.5/5  rDev -8.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

500ml Bottle - from the LCBO

Appearance - Clear reddish/brown colour with an average size fizzy dark beige coloured head. There is a low amount of carbonation showing and there is some fairly good lacing. The head lasted for only 2-3 minutes.

Smell - Malts, caramel, cherries, chocolate, raisins

Taste & Mouth - There is an average amount of carbonation and I can taste malts, caramel and some herbal notes. There is also a cherry/strawberry sweetness mixed chocolate and clove. It ends with a malty/fruity lightly spiced aftertaste.

Overall - An above average beer but not something that will leave you hankering for more. For the price I had some higher expectations, I would pick up something else next time.

Serving type: bottle

02-10-2012 19:09:04 | More by spinrsx

JohnnyBarman

Ontario (Canada)

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

Single bottle from the LCBO - the Garrison release was perfectly timed for my birthday weekend. See kids, this is what proper sacrifices to the beer goddess Ninkasi will get you!

Poured into a nonic. Murky chestnut-ruby, with a generous blanket of off-white foam that leaves lovely icicles on the sides of the glass. Considering its about five degrees above freezing and with no snow in sight, this is about as wintery as I'm gonna get. Warmed up slightly out of the fridge before serving.

Nose is slightly boozy, with good caramel malt, a bit of cinnamon, clove, orange peel and dark indeterminate fruit.

A fine winter warmer, one of the better Canadian versions I've come across. Nice malt body, good spicyness, and with a mild boozy kick that is not overpowering. Cinnamon, clove, grape, orange, mild drying finish. Complex, yet highly approachable. Slightly thicker body, lower carbonation, a bit of chew.

Fine winter warmer - this, along with the Baltic Porter - will certainly make this an enjoyable Smarch for drinking. Pick up one or two while you can!

Serving type: bottle

02-05-2012 22:42:22 | More by JohnnyBarman

Stocean1

Ontario (Canada)

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

Poured a one finger beige head upon a deep ruby body, good retention and semi opaque, patchy lacing.

Cinnamon and cloves, sweet brown sugar, nutty malt, earthy hops.

Cinnamon and cloves dominate up front, ginger also comes through, earthy hops, malt takes a back seat to the spices.

Refreshingly bitter up front with a lingering tingle at the back of the tongue, dry, medium bodied with plenty of carbonation.

One of my favorite winter warmers, definitely will pick it up again although it is not cheap by any means.

Serving type: bottle

02-05-2012 20:24:20 | More by Stocean1

korguy123

Ontario (Canada)

3.88/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A- Clear dark ruby red pour, finger width off white head that drops to thin cap. Lacing is spotty.

S- Cinnamon, cloves, ginger and figs. Very warming with a touch of alcohol.

T- Ginger, brown sugar, cinnamon and stone fruits.

M- Medium bodied, creamy and just wonderful.

O- This is an excellent winter warmer, glad to see a well known Canadian brewery make such a great style.

Serving type: bottle

02-05-2012 20:18:44 | More by korguy123

MattyV

Ontario (Canada)

3.83/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Clear tawny amber in colour, about a finger of beige head. Sweet caramel malts dominate the nose along with cinnamon and nutmeg. Lots of toffee/caramel in the taste, but not overly sweet, in fact a herbal hop character is detectable every now and again. Spices are apparent in the taste but not overbearing. Medium bodied, medium to low carbonation, suits the style. A decent winter warmer, tastes rather similar to my homebrew take on the style from this past holiday season, except this seemed to ferment out a bit cleaner. Have still yet to be disappointed by this brewery.

Serving type: bottle

02-04-2012 05:55:46 | More by MattyV

peensteen

Ontario (Canada)

3.63/5  rDev -4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Ruby red/copper colour, one finger of off white head with some spots of lace. Smell is sweet malt and spices, cinnamon and clove, vanilla and what seemed to be bready cinnamon bun type scents, caramel like notes as well. Taste is quite spicy, clove cinnamon, dark fruits, raisin and to a lesser extent cherry, malt comes secondary, bittersweet notes with a spicy finish. Medium carbonation, medium-full body, decent weight with syrupy points. Not bad, was much better as this warmed compared to right out of the fridge, fairly good stuff but didn't blow me away.

Serving type: bottle

01-30-2012 20:59:56 | More by peensteen

jbonapar

Ontario (Canada)

3.98/5  rDev +4.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Like all Garrison Beer, this one pleases.

Pours a mahogany brown with a super thick tan head. Smell is spicey and fruity with some malt.

Taste is superb. not overspiced like so many winter beers. This is just warming. The hops, the bitterness, the malt....some peppery spice. all very warming.

A winner for sure.

Serving type: bottle

01-28-2012 23:45:48 | More by jbonapar

kjyost

Manitoba (Canada)

3.98/5  rDev +4.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bottle from BBrianBoogie. 2010 edition, kept cold for 1 year, poured ~7C into a Duvel tulip

Lots of sediment comes into the glass which is a hazy deep reddish brown beer. Orange tan head that drops and disappears. Lots of dried fruit with hints of cloves and other mulling spices beneath the surface. Nice and subtle, playing well with the really nice malty body. Sweet. Daughter knocked over most of my glass... Ken is sad :-(

Serving type: bottle

12-24-2011 01:58:37 | More by kjyost

hopsolutely

Ontario (Canada)

4.13/5  rDev +8.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I''m not typically a fan of "winter warmers", but this is a surprisingly tasty beer!

Beautiful clear and dark brown pour with off-white head. Decent carbonation level and pleasant mouthfeel, silky but not cloying.

Aroma is of roasted malts and mulling spices, more muted than the taste which is remarkably flavourful, yet remains well balanced. Roasted malt sweetness compliments the nutmeg, cloves and other spices. There are also hints of pumpkin or squash earthiness underneath. Ends with a pleasantly dry finish and is very warming, although the 6.7% ABV is frighteningly well hidden.

Picked this up at the brewery in November and wish we'd bought more!

Serving type: bottle

12-11-2011 22:58:36 | More by hopsolutely

northyorksammy

Ontario (Canada)

3.88/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bang on the style, one of the better WW I have had.Pours dark brown with no noticeable head. A little spicy aroma. Like a cask beer, nicely understated spiced, a little cinammon and nutmeg, good mating. Very drinkable, almost sherryish. Perhaps cellaring it a few months helped.Private Bartowel order.Smoooth mouthfeel.

Serving type: bottle

05-29-2011 05:22:11 | More by northyorksammy

kwjd

Ontario (Canada)

4/5  rDev +5%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Got this bottle as part of a brewery mixed pack in a private order to Ontario. The ink for the bottle date is smudged, but I think it says October 20th, 2010. Pours a amber-brown colour with off-white head that dissipates fairly quickly without too much lacing. Smells of brown sugar and caramel, with the cinnamon playing only a complimentary role. The bottle says there is clove too, but not sure if I can smell it. Flavour is quite sweet. Smooth mouthfeel. I really enjoy this flavour, some winter warmers have way too much cinnamon for my taste, but this is very nice.

Serving type: bottle

01-20-2011 03:00:13 | More by kwjd

grover37

District of Columbia

3.53/5  rDev -7.3%
look: 2 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

Half liter bottle from the brewery. This is an '09 vintage bottle that we picked up on sale in July for about $3 Canadian iirc. Poured into two large snifters.

Appearance (2): Dark brown with reddish orange around the edges. Half a finger of head which dies down to just a light cream around the edges and a sparse covering of small bubbles. Not much lacing.

Aroma (4.5): Dark fruits, slightly sweet, cinnamon and maybe some anise. Strong orange peel too. Reminds me a lot of '09 Anchor Our Special Ale. Top notch aromas that you would expect from a nicely balanced warmer.

Taste (3.5): Pretty subtle flavors up front; a bit watery but some strong orange fruitiness. A bit of sweet caramel malt in the middle. The orange returns in the finish and there is a lingering spiciness and the dark fruit flavor from the nose.

Mouthfeel (2.5): Medium carbonation. A bit thin for the touch of sweetness in the nose and taste.

Drinkability (3.5): Definitely drinkable in that it's not overly spiced and the ABV is not apparent. Not one that I'd want to drink more than one of though.

Serving type: bottle

01-08-2011 05:02:45 | More by grover37