Ode To Mercy Special Winter Ale - Wild Heaven Craft Beers

glid02

Georgia

4.08/5  rDev -3.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

On-tap at Twain's in Atlanta. Indicated on Wild Heaven's website as the Ode to Mercy aged on bourbon oak chips.

Pours a clear deep brown color with a one-finger cream-colored head. The head recedes into a thin layer on top leaving thick lacing.

Smells of deep toasted malts with large amounts of oak - lots of earthy aromas with hints of vanilla. As the beer warms small amounts of milk chocolate and nutty aromas waft out.

Tastes similar to how it smells, although the oak is less intense. Moderately dry caramel malt flavors backed by solid amounts of toasted malts and minor amounts of roasted flavors kick things off. Joining in shortly thereafter are equal amounts of vanilla and earthy oak flavors. Midway through the sip the oak fades a bit and the flavor profile sweetens with the addition of light chocolate flavors. The chocolate fades out quickly, allowing the malt and oak to carry through to a moderately bitter ending.

Mouthfeel is very good. It's got a smooth thickness with soft carbonation.

Drinkability is good. I didn't have a problem finishing my glass and could have another with no problems.

Overall I still don't get any coffee out of this beer and the bourbon was also non-existent. The oak was large though and while it bordered on being too much it struck a nice balance. Worth a shot if you see it around.

Serving type: on-tap

01-21-2011 01:30:16 | More by glid02

brentk56

North Carolina

4/5  rDev -5.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance: Arrives at the bar with a one inch cap of foam sitting on top of the cola brown liquid; the head was somewhat quick to fade though it left some decent lacing behind

Smell: Caramel and nuts with a distinct vanilla aspect

Taste: Caramel and nuts, up front, with the vanilla developing in the middle; after the swallow, the Bourbon becomes more pronounced, though it never dominates the profile

Mouthfeel: Medium to full body with moderate carbonation

Overall: I am not a huge fan of the style but this beer has deftly added some interesting elements which create some appeal; it is not too sweet, has some hop balance and the handling of the Bourbon was very deft

Serving type: on-tap

02-13-2013 03:52:24 | More by brentk56

elgiacomo

Georgia

3.95/5  rDev -6.4%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

16oz growler, Winter 2012/13 batch. Served at around 50F.

Pours clear brown with red highlights, small beige head, recedes to a wispy cap, leaves just a few short-lived spots of lacing.

Aroma is nutty, caramel, light touch of bourbon, wood, bready, hint of coffee, dark fruit, brown sugar. Good to very good strength.

Flavor is nutty, caramel, brown sugar, light bourbon, wood, bit of coffee, bread, moderate sweetness, minimal bitterness, mild to moderate alcohol. Let is warm up to near room temp and it really turns the flavor up a notch.

Mouthfeel is medium bodied, moderate carbonation.

Pretty good...but I think I like the regular Ode to Mercy better...more coffee flavor in the original brew and not enough bourbon here to overcome that. Still, a very tasty Brown Ale.

Serving type: growler

01-13-2013 19:34:46 | More by elgiacomo

shivtim

Georgia

3.9/5  rDev -7.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Picked up a growler of this at Hop City.

Deep brown/amber with 1/2 inch off-white head that gradually subsides. Slightly murky. Looks similar to the normal Ode to Mercy.

Nose is very malty, with a bit of roasted notes (coal, ash). Slightly boozy.

Lots more malt in the taste. Some bourbon, and very subtle bits of vanilla and almond. Oak, lingering roasted malt, and a bit more bourbon/ethanol on warming.

Good mouthfeel, and nice brew overall.

Serving type: growler

12-23-2011 13:07:12 | More by shivtim