Winter Solstice - Indigo Imp Brewery

PumaSaysRawrr

Pennsylvania

1.6/5  rDev -47%
look: 1 | smell: 4 | taste: 1 | feel: 1 | overall: 1

My bottle was purchased on clearance For $2 and my label says Winter Soul. I am hoping there is something 100% wrong with my bottle...

No carbonation. Large amounts of heavy sediment again I am drinking from a Samuel Smith pint glass. Hazy brownish almost like a cider look to it.

At first I thought it was a winter edition of a Flanders red with a nice aroma and a sour style flavor. Then the after taste of old tea bags steaped in rotten orange juice made me sure this just can't be right. Since it smells so good, like a dog to its vomit, I have taken 6 good sips and I am going to stop....maybe after this next taste. OK yeah I will agree with the others It is A mess before I make my own mess....

I was hoping to love this beer. I love Flanders Reds. I love Cinnamon! I love that creepy bat cat devil thing on the label....I hated that stupid wax top! I had to shave away the cap to get the bottle open (so I know it was sealed) but for the past week I loved that wax top when I looked at it in my fridge! This beer was so bad I may have to find another just to make sure....

Serving type: bottle

03-18-2013 02:47:19 | More by PumaSaysRawrr

DrDemento456

Pennsylvania

2.79/5  rDev -7.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.75

I was able to find a wax top of this at my local mix six place for $1.75.

A - Quite hazy for an amber looks more like an old ale with a deep brown hue. Head is almost not existent with just a mild lace ring.

S - First smell was mild with some caramel and toffee malt but in the glass I am getting a Flanders red sort of tart brett smell. Other than that funk it mostly smells good.

T - OW wow is this sour like infected sour. Brett seems to have completely taken over and the rest of the body is hollow and watery like a fruit punch. What a fail on an amber/red ale!

M - Not sure the ABV but it drinks like a light beer but not as crisp. The zero carbonation makes it worse.

Overall I am not sure why you would distribute this let alone wax the freaking top. To be fair it was quite cool since they even put a string in the wax for easy removal. Not sure what they were keeping the air out from since this beer is a disaster. Drain pour/avoid!

Serving type: bottle

01-19-2013 02:38:45 | More by DrDemento456

PDXHops

South Carolina

1.35/5  rDev -55.3%
look: 2 | smell: 2 | taste: 1 | feel: 2 | overall: 1

Another installment from Ryan011235 in the It Ain't All Columbus IPA and Edmund Fitzgerald Up Here series of Ohio reality checks. 12 ounce bottle/LaChouffe tulip. (I find myself slightly disappointed that this Imp offering isn't wax-dipped for that extra touch of fanciness.) Slightly hazy deep amber with a head that quickly pulls a disappearing act. No lace.

The pleasant combo of caramel and honey aromas is beaten down by canned frozen orange juice and a vaguely medicinal smell. Tangy to dang near the point of complete sourness; anything else going on here is pretty much drowned out. Fizzy carbonation aplenty. A complete mess. I'm sorry to be the bearer of bad news, Imp, but the open fermentation thing? It's a disaster.

Serving type: bottle

10-10-2012 23:07:35 | More by PDXHops

RblWthACoz

Pennsylvania

3.25/5  rDev +7.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Eww. This is an amber? Disaster. Jump ship! Jump ship! Okay. It isn't that bad, but as an amber, we're nowhere near where we should be. This is very carbonated and, I want to say, frothy. It seems like a Belgian amber almost. Well. Anyways. There are a lot of malts and it has a fruit tone to it. Oh. Did I say that the nose reminded me of kool-aid at first? Well, now I did. Maybe if the beer was classified in a different way I wouldn't feel the same. It's still a fairly tasty beer.

Serving type: bottle

08-24-2012 05:30:29 | More by RblWthACoz

ONUMello

Ohio

3/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

12oz bottle poured into a pint glass
A: Average brown color with a thin head that disappears quite quickly.
S: Quite malty, with caramel and just a bit of nondescript spice/citrus.
T: Quite sour, as is the case with most of Indigo Imp's beers. Some of the caramel/citrus/generic spice from the nose comes through, but is hidden beneath the acid.
M: Light and crisp.
O: I like this because I like acidity, but I would much rather drink it as a refreshing drink during the summer, it did not come across as a winter beer to me.

Serving type: bottle

02-02-2012 00:08:55 | More by ONUMello

tlazaroff

Virginia

2.75/5  rDev -8.9%
look: 2 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Worthy to note that the name of this beer was changed to Winter Soul.

Not much on the nose at all. A little astringent smelling, but it's very feint. I get a few sour notes as well, some very light fruit and chocolate.

Winter Soul's look is a bit disappointing, it is a deep hazy red color with no head what-so-ever. Minimal lacing, nothing very noteworthy.

Winter Soul tastes pretty good, dispute it's lackluster aroma and appearance. It has a nice Brett character that gives a little sourness, but nothing lip puckering. It There is an immediate sweetness you get right before the Brett takes over. I would describe this as a caramel-like flavor. Hop flavor are nonexistent.

The beer is easy to drink, and is nice and medium-bodied with light carbonation.

Serving type: bottle

01-28-2012 03:34:29 | More by tlazaroff

RedSpecial1

Florida

4.03/5  rDev +33.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Pours a cloudy dark Amber with a thick white head.

S: A definite yeast aroma is present as well a hint of lemon zest and coriander.

T: The flavors are very well melded together. Very round caramel notes blend into a restrained coriander spice flavor, and a hint of alcohol that lingers pleasantly.

M: Very smooth with a lower than normal amount of carbonation which is line with it being from a cask.

O: A tasty and well rounded beer. The flavors blend together well, and the low carbonation keeps it from having any sharp edges to its flavor.

Serving type: cask

01-14-2012 01:45:38 | More by RedSpecial1

hyprlt

Ohio

3.3/5  rDev +9.3%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

12 oz bottle poured into mug.

A: no head, no clarity. Dark amber in color.

S: slight orange peel, cinnamon, and belgian yeast esters

T: Orange and slight banana flavors

M: very light carbonation, somewhat syrupy.

O: despite the way i described everything, this is a good holiday beer. this is a good one.

Serving type: bottle

12-20-2011 18:13:39 | More by hyprlt

Stinkypuss

Pennsylvania

3/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2 | overall: 3

Indigo Imp : Winter Solstice

Pours a murly brown, with no head and little sign of carbonation. Aroma of caramel, spice and vegetal notes. In the taste, cocoa, nutty malt and a touch of spice on the back end. Carbonation is between low and non-existant. Overall, mellow flavors, with a bit more carbonation this would be better.

Serving type: bottle

12-02-2011 04:41:09 | More by Stinkypuss

KickInTheChalice

Illinois

2.08/5  rDev -31.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 2

Poured from a 12 oz. bottle into a snifter. Thanks to readbaron (maybe) for bringing this along.

Appearance: This is a murky brown copper color with plentiful black flecks of particulate. A large-bubbled white head fades to a wispy ring.

Smell: Wow, this is pretty bad. Cooked vegetables and some stinky feet go along with caramel malt. Light spiced and heavy bready malt.

Taste: The flavor starts with a full caramel sweetness, then some soft cinnamon and general spiciness. No real hoppy flavor here. The finish is reminiscent of steamed cauliflower.

Mouthfeel: The body is unnecessarily light, with a medium carbonation and a tingly mouthfeel. Sticky on the lips.

Overall: This is pretty bad. The flavor is not as bad as the aroma, but an absence of bad flavor is hardly a compliment.

Serving type: bottle

09-09-2011 03:15:47 | More by KickInTheChalice

readbaron

Illinois

1.63/5  rDev -46%
look: 3 | smell: 1 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 1.5

Pours a muddy amber with off white head. Small bubbles, and minimal lacing.

Smell is brutal. Feet and rotting/moldy vegetables are prominant. Some malt and bready aromas underneath. Supposedly it has cinnamon and orange. I didn't notice those.

Taste is a lot like the nose. Not as brutal, but still very bad. More on the vegetable side than the feet side. Lots of malt as well.

Feel is decent. A bit dry, medium carbed.

Ugh. Drainpour. Wish I'd tried this sooner (assuming that it tasted better last winter).

Serving type: bottle

09-09-2011 02:27:50 | More by readbaron

rlshep

Ohio

2.8/5  rDev -7.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 3

Aroma: Dark fruit, prunes, Cinnamon, bakers chocolate. I'm getting a musty earthy smell. Alcohol noticeable.

Appearance: Pours huge 4 finger off-white head. Couldn't pour the whole bottle into a pint glass. Dark amber color. Lots of carbonation. Clear

Flavor: Big dark chocolate icing flavor. Low levels of cinnamon. Sweet sugary/tart aftertaste. Medium high bitterness. A little harsh, not sure if from bitterness or high alcohols.

Mouthfeel: Medium mouthfeel. Sweetness a little cloying. Alcohol starts in mid mouthfeel and keeps going through finish, warming.

Overall: I really want to like this brewery, this beer just doesn't win me over. Overpowering chocolate and sweetness just turns me off. Not a horrible beer, just nothing to be impressed by.

Serving type: bottle

03-22-2011 01:17:57 | More by rlshep

alleykatking

Indiana

3.15/5  rDev +4.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Poured from 12oz bottle. Many thanks to Tifore (Tyler) for the bottle.

A- Pours a murky amberish brown color. One finger off white head has low retention. Light spots of lacing on the sides of the glass.

S- There is a light citrus undertone to this that gets overtaken by a huge chocoalte malt drive. Some other earthy hops in the backend but very light. Pretty much balances out the malts as far as aroma goes.

T- Caramel and toffee malts in the front end of the beer. Some light orange peel flavor that dies alomst as soon as it comes. There is some light peppery notes in the middle of the beer with a hint of chocolate like malts. Ending is earthy flavors along with a sweet alcohol.

M- Medium heavy mouthfeel. Carbonation is light but works for the beer. Caramel and toffee malts left on the palate. This is in the aftertaste as well with sweet alcohol and faded hops. Medium drying on the palate from the alcohol. Flavors are bland but blended well for what it was. No off flavors that others have talked about..a clean bottle free of metallic or sour notes.

D- This beer was drinkable but a little lackluster. I expected a little more from the beer itself but it ended up being just a average drinker. I would like to try this again but as far as right now goes it is average at best.

Serving type: bottle

01-12-2011 16:46:31 | More by alleykatking

rustymoore

Tennessee

3.3/5  rDev +9.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

A - Pours a cloudy amber with a massive head and took a good 5 minutes to recede.

S - First smell was pleasant and spicy but it gave way to a metallic scent as the head receded.

T - Again, in the first few sips I could pick up on some good flavors of cinnamon and orange but as I drink it gets a little more bland and watery. The process of being unfiltered and naturally carbonated is somewhat different to me as I am not used to drinking the Real Ale if you will.

M - carbonation is high but not unpleasant

D - I still prefer some other winter seasonal offerings, but this is a solid beer that I would recommend at least a try

Serving type: bottle

01-09-2011 17:58:39 | More by rustymoore

corby112

Pennsylvania

2.63/5  rDev -12.9%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

From notes:

I received this as an extra in a trade but I can't remember who sent it. Pours a cloudy very dark amber/chestnut brown color with dark golden burnt orange hues when held to light and a thin fizzy yellowish head that quickly fades into a thin ring. Not much in the way of lacing.

The aroma is kind of bland with hints of citrus peel, peppery spice, subtle earthy hops, pale malt and alcohol sweetness.

Thin bodied and very sweet with a prominet citrus peel flavor along with pepery spice, subtle hops and caramel malt. Surprisingly not too watered down, a touch syrupy with a slight dry finish.

Serving type: bottle

12-25-2010 01:44:50 | More by corby112

prototypic

Ohio

3.45/5  rDev +14.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Winter Solstice pours a reddish amber color. It's quite hazy, and looks particularly scarlet when held to light. A cream colored head sits on top and is about a finger or so tall. It's quick to recede and leaves a very light lacing in its wake.

The nose is just okay. It's a little light on aromatics. Caramel and toffee scents seem to be the centerpiece. It's a little sweet smelling. There's a hint of a yeasty scent. Perhaps a little bit of a sour note, but not much. I was expecting this to smell much more sour or tart. Eh. There's a slight spicy scent. Cinnamon is there, but not much else.

The flavor's a little better than the nose. It's enough to warrant a score bump. The base is caramel and toffee. It's a little sweet, and has a nice flavor. There's a bit of sour flavor, but it's much less than I expected. I was anticipating something in the vicinity of vinegar-esque, but it's not even close to that neighborhood. Cinnamon is in the mix, and adds a slight holiday feel to it. There's a slight hoppy edge near the finish. It adds a nice bitter kick. Alcohol is blended well. It's pretty straight forward, but really isn't all that bad.

Winter Solstice has a medium body that is quite smooth. Carbonation is light. The feel might be this beer's strongest asset. Drinkability is above average. The flavor is pretty good, and it goes down rather easy. I could handle a bottle or two.

Winter Solstice is my first experience with Indigo Imp beer. It's not bad by any stretch, but isn't all that great either. It needs a little something to add some pizzazz. Perhaps a little more of a sour flavor, more hops, or more holiday spice flavor would ramp it up. It's not bad, and is definitely worth a try in my book. Needs some work to be a staple in the holiday seasonal club though.

Serving type: bottle

12-05-2010 03:58:14 | More by prototypic

Ryan011235

Ohio

1.9/5  rDev -37.1%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

Poured into a Samuel Smith pint glass on 11/26/10

Dense, cloudy copper/amber color. Countless bubbles cling the inside of the glass. Boasting an outrageous three finger plus barrier of foam, the head crackled as it receded. It was audible from a foot away, sounding like Pop Rock & rain on a window sill. No lace; no retention by the end.

Smells of fermented orange juice, caramel, toasted cinnamon bread, rotten orange rind citric hops, a touch of musty yeast & earthy notions. Neither particularly bad nor good. Had something of a plasticine aroma when I open the bottle, though it's absent once poured.

Wow, this tastes really weird. A dull malt bill of toasted bread & caramel is aggravated by brash spices & carbonation. Cinnamon, tea leaves & orange something. A little bit of hoppy bitterness. Everything about the taste is cluttered & muddled; in turn it's rather unpleasant. It doesn't help that the taste can best be summed up as artificial & rotten.

Masquerades as medium body; perhaps there is some truth to it though the feel becomes watery & incredibly thin mid way through. Carbonation is vigorous on the front end; it subsides a little but is ample throughout. Waxy finish with notes of putrid orange rind, processed spice & plastic.

At first I thought this would be a solid offering from Indigo Imp; while cold it tastes ok, if a little bland. As it warms, the aforementioned penchant for the artificial & rotten takes hold. This doesn't even come close to the dregs of Northeast Ohio's best winter brews.

Serving type: bottle

11-28-2010 01:28:36 | More by Ryan011235

JohnGalt1

Idaho

2.8/5  rDev -7.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Buckeyeboy brought this one over... Thanks for a "new to me" brewery... Jeremy is good people.

Pours with tan/yellow head.. hazy amber brew.

Nose is lite orange with some cinnamon..

Flavor is pretty odd.... sour.. I don't know if it is off or not, but there is an orange juice element that I just don't dig... the spices dig into the palate too much for me.... Seems pretty flimsy.

Lite/medium body and okay carbonation.

Ehhhh. I drain poured this one.

Thanks Jeremy.... Interesting, but not good by a long shot.

3.5/3.5/2.5/3/2.5

Serving type: bottle

07-26-2010 07:59:03 | More by JohnGalt1

WVbeergeek

Ohio

2.38/5  rDev -21.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

A semi clouded amber brown hue with a nice light khaki head pours thick initially but as the head dwindles rather quickly the bubbles are really fizzing away. Aroma has immediate citrus peel and spice combo going on, a bit of caramel or vanilla complementing the fruit and spice. Straight up pine and cinnamon bark bitterness a bit of wet cardboard and tobacco leaf. The spices and carbonation level numb the palate, mild caramel or powdered dry dark chocolate notes hint but this is a strange bird that I am not really feeling. I much rather drank the more sour ales like the Blonde and the Jester. Mouthfeel is unpleasant with the palate numbing effect and heavy carbonation that makes for a pretty lackluster experience. Drinkability is not good for me, some may dig but I'm not feeling it. I like the spontaneous open fermentation and the orignality of these brews but this one I would and could pass on.

Serving type: bottle

03-25-2010 04:11:41 | More by WVbeergeek

cpetrone84

Pennsylvania

3.8/5  rDev +25.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A-deep reddish copper color with a thin bubbly light tan colored head. Solid retention and leaves a small amount of lacing on the glass

S-the nose is actually very strange. A lot of things going on here. It has some cinnomon, a peppery spice, very grainy, grassy hops, touch of pine.

T-the taste is a lot more focused and works much better than the nose. There is some sweet caramel, notes of cinnomon up front. Grassy hops, a touch of pine, lemon, and citrusy hops come in next. It is spicy towards the back and also has some nutmeg to match the cinnomon

M-very smooth and slightly creamy. A good bit of carbonation and a medium body on this one.

D-the nose scared me, it was all over the place and didn't work well together. The taste was much better and seemed like a decent winter warmer. Classified as a red ale, not sure why.

Serving type: bottle

02-19-2010 23:29:12 | More by cpetrone84

adamette

Ohio

3.15/5  rDev +4.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2

Live review. Poured from the 12 oz. bottle that I bought as a single for $1.39 at Heinen's in Willoughby Hills, Ohio last week. This is the fourth and final Indigo Imp beer that I have tasted and rated, a Cleveland Brewery that is just getting under way (they are about a year old maybe). Poured into my Great Lakes Christmas Ale goblet (Sorry Indigo Imp, it is the most appropriate glass that I have). Message on label says: "Bottle conditioned real ale brewed with spices and the "with" is underlined for emphasis.

A Real nice, abundant light brown creamy head of about 3 inches over an opaque brown body that glows with edges of orange in front of direct light. Really nice look for this truly unfiltered ale. 4.5

S Not sure that my nose picks up too many of those "spices" but I certainly get some medium roast malt and an "amber" smell. There is a nice, subtle sweetness that I picked up after repeated sniffs too. Hops are minimal to moderate. 3.0

T/M Firstly this is a mature tasting beer. I can clearly tell that it is "unfiltered" and it is clearly a craft beer. All of that being said, to me this is a rather weak tasting, slight medium roast malt beer that seems to be struggling for an identity. There is a fair amount of carbonation which is a positive but the taste is just a bit....flat.... There is also a creamy aspect to the feel which I do like. 3.5

D My interest is lacking to consider this "drinkable." 2.

Notes: There are not only better beers within the style but also within the brewery (See Gatekeeper!).

Serving type: bottle

01-10-2010 23:17:56 | More by adamette

maximum12

Minnesota

2.95/5  rDev -2.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.5

Thanks to obrienej for dropping this into as an extra into a trade for my first BA BORIS. Always good to be introduced to a new brewery.

Pours is nice, brilliant ruby red that's very clean & clear, crackling audibly w/carbonation. Smells like a nice American red: muted hops with a background of spices.

Oh...my...god. The spices in this creature are simply overwhelming. Spices run riot! Call in the stun tank! I like my spicing in winter beers as a sly wink & a nod, tastes like this one was spiced with a fire hose. The ending hops make a noble effort to restrain the merriment, & move this a bit towards champagne territory, what with the bubbling & light fruits added to the spicing.

Winter Solstice suffers on the back end, though. The carbonation is revving out of control - I can seriously hear it from a few feet away. And the over-spicing (I imagine this being worked in the mash tun with a eight-foot paddle of cinnamon...) means that this is one & done.

This one has some promise, but some subtlety would be very welcome. For those who like their beer spicy & fast.

Serving type: bottle

01-03-2010 02:42:38 | More by maximum12

steve8robin

Massachusetts

4.33/5  rDev +43.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4.5

Got this from a trade...

A: Looks pretty tasty. Almost like an iced tea color. Little white head that disappears quickly. Looks highly carbonated

S: Smells of iced tea. Smells very sweet, but very tasty.

T: Good flavor. Tastes like a combo of iced tea, grapefruit, and pear. I like the taste of this one. It's kind of like a light IPA. Tastes very refreshing.

M: A little too much carbonation on this one. Nothing special in this department.

D: Goes down very easy. Tastes great and has not much harsh, except for the mouthfeel, going on about it.

All in all, this one definitely surprised me. I saw some reviews and expected to be disappointed, but I was pleasantly surprised instead. Very refreshing brew without a harsh IPA taste. If you want something refreshing but less hoppy, then this is your brew.

Serving type: bottle

12-23-2009 05:18:54 | More by steve8robin

HeightsEats

Ohio

4.22/5  rDev +39.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

I very much enjoyed this beer. It's very unique, not much like traditional winter or Christmas beers. For better or worse, it doesn't even seem much like typical beer but rather a cinnamon-infused malt brew with just a hint of hop dryness at the end.

This is an extremely drinkable beverage based on the balanced spicy flavor, apparently low-ish alcohol and very subtle bitterness. I rarely can drink more than one "winter" beer at a sitting, but I could easily stick with these for an evening of cold weather drinking (it's 16 degrees in Cleveland as I write this).

Serving type: bottle

12-11-2009 01:27:25 | More by HeightsEats

OldSchoolGamer

Ohio

3.5/5  rDev +15.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

I have had all the Indigo Imp brews, and this is probably my second favorite of their current four offerings. This is their winter seasonal.

A: Pours a brownish amber color. Very murky and cloudy. Head is rather minimal. You can hear the carbonation fizzing.

S/T: The aroma is very subtle. Its hard to pick out specific smells, but overall it is sweet, and somewhat fruity. Taste is very clean and crisp with little to no aftertaste. Its sweet and sour at the same time. A decent amount of fruit in the flavor. The orange peel does come through. Maybe a touch of apple as well. Slight champagne character. Not really picking up on the cinnamon, however. Its an okay beer, but nothing great.

M/D: Mouthfeel is overly fizzy and bubbly. A little too much carbonation. Finishes very clean with no aftertaste. Drinks rather easily. I remember this one being more sticky and intense last year.

Not a bad beer, but far from other excellent Ohio winter seasonals. Other than the Gatekeeper, this is the best beer in their lineup. Worth a shot.

Serving type: bottle

12-07-2009 20:59:17 | More by OldSchoolGamer