St. Peter's Winter Ale - St. Peter's Brewery Co Ltd

peensteen

Ontario (Canada)

3.95/5  rDev +1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours a coca-cola brown colour, one finger of off white head, some lace left behind. Smell is malty, lots of roast, rye like spice notes, chocolate and nutty scents as well. Taste is full of roasted malt, chocolate, lightly lactic, medium bitterness throughout, spicy rye like notes as well, faint coffee in the finish. Medium carbonation, full body, medium feel. This is really good and full of flavour, one of the better winter warmers showing up in Ontario right now.

Serving type: bottle

11-09-2011 16:47:20 | More by peensteen

TheSevenDuffs

Ontario (Canada)

4.05/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

500 ml bottle poured in to Duvel tulip.

A - Poured dark brown with some streaks of ruby and settled almost black with half a finger of light brown head that quickly disappeared.

S - Roasted malts, chocolate, caramel, a touch of spice.

T - Roasted malts, chocolate, dark caramel, nuttiness and a good bitterness that is especially evident in the finish.

M - Medium body, silky. Light carbonation.

Serving type: bottle

11-05-2011 18:07:10 | More by TheSevenDuffs

champ103

Texas

4.13/5  rDev +5.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A: Pours a dark brown, nearly black color. Some ruby highlights around the edges. A large tan head rises to over two fingers. Plenty of lace is left behind.
S: Toasted malts, baked bread, chocolate. Very nice in the nose.
T: Again, very nice. Toasted malts with a toffee like sweetness. Baked bread and finishes with a nice bitter chocolate bite.
M/D: A medium to full body. Medium carbonation, but overall very soft in the mouth. So easy to drink. A great winter warmer.

This holds up very nicely in the bottle. I wish I could have this on cask. I am sure that would be a great treat. Still, as is, something I would highly recommend and something I am sure to buy more of before the season is over.

Serving type: bottle

11-02-2011 01:50:28 | More by champ103

mfgeorge

Ontario (Canada)

4.85/5  rDev +24%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Pours a very very dark red, almost black. Smells of crystallized candy/sugar and sweet malt. Taste is less sweet than the smell. Candy like malt with a slight bitterness from the hop. Rich and full bodied. Low carbonation. Seriously, this is an amazing beer, the best I've had in a while, and just maybe the best winter warmer I've ever had!

Serving type: bottle

03-19-2011 20:41:26 | More by mfgeorge

metter98

New York

3.85/5  rDev -1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A: The beer is very dark amber (near black) in color and has a light amount of visible carbonation. It poured into a pint glass with lacy patterns of bubbles covering the surface.
S: The smell is slightly sweet and has aromas of roasted malts.
T: The taste is quite complex and has flavors of caramel, bittersweet chocolate, coffee, roasted malts and toffee along with some hints of smoke. No bitterness from the hops is perceptible.
M: It feels medium-bodied and a bit thin on the palate with a low amount of carbonation.
D: The beer isn't that difficult to drink but doesn't provide a rich malty flavor or alcohol warming like other beers in the style. It tastes more similar to a porter.

Serving type: bottle

02-20-2011 22:48:22 | More by metter98

srandycarter

California

4.05/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Near black. Gigantic, thick creamy head that stays for some time. Lots of cling lace that would need a chisel to remove.

S - Earthy malt. Cocoa. Some bitter hops note in there.

T - Taste matches smell pretty well. Very earthly, with a base like cocoa feel. Sweetness is slapped down with just enough malt. Nice clean finish.

M - Creamy, good balance, good carb. Nice.

D - I could have a few of these. Reminds me of the British family of beers for sure. It's a good one.

Serving type: bottle

02-13-2011 06:59:23 | More by srandycarter

Swedes21

Ontario (Canada)

3.55/5  rDev -9.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Served in a chilled glass

Appearance - beer pours a dark brown colour with a faint amount of head. Head is an off-white colour and there is some decent lacing. Beer appears to be fairly clear when held up to light, hard to tell carbonation levels.

Smell - i can smell coffee, burnt caramel/toffee and malts. Besides that, its a pretty simple smell.

Taste - very "chilled" taste to this early, then the coffee and caramel/toffee kick in. I found the sweetness doesn't come through on this beer.

Mouthfeel - slight added carbonation levels increase the taste and add a velvet feel. I found the sweetness came through a bit more near the end.

Drinkability - Found this to be an OK beer, nothing special. Good try wouldnt seek again as their are better beers out there in this category.

Serving type: bottle

01-28-2011 01:35:43 | More by Swedes21

liamt07

Ontario (Canada)

4.13/5  rDev +5.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Bottle from the LCBO, part of the winter release. 500ml into a balloon tulip.

Poured a dark burgundy, bordering on black. A finger of tan head fades to some big bubbles, and retains a collar of head with minimal lace. Nose of dark fruits, milk chocolate, plum, figs, bit of roastiness and some warm winter spices (cinnamon, nutmeg) which aren't prominent, but are interwoven amongst the others. Taste has more of the dark fruits and chocolate battling for supremacy on the palate, with some roastiness in there for good measure. Good smooth mouthfeel, with a quick hint of the alcohol in the finish. Solid drinkability, a winner.

Serving type: bottle

01-21-2011 14:35:05 | More by liamt07

prg1976

Pennsylvania

2.9/5  rDev -25.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Pours a dark brown, with off white head.

Smells malty. Bread, caramel.

Tastes is the same as the aroma. Malty. Not very complex, not much going on.

I'm guessing this is more like a porter. 6.5 abv doesn't usually make for a winter warmer. Overall, just not much there. Liquid bread.

Serving type: bottle

01-16-2011 01:36:19 | More by prg1976

Kubus

Ontario (Canada)

3.83/5  rDev -2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Appearance: Pours a pleasant dark brown, colour is definitely on point, but only about half a finger of head forms and disappears within seconds.

Smell: Difficult to pinpoint, and as strange as it sounds, all I could smell is a typical "beer" aroma which smelled bitter. Not that this is a bad thing, difficult to describe though.

Taste: Pleasant, not too weak, not too strong, just above average, your typical Winter Ale.

Mouthfeel: Guinness. No, Really.

Drinkability: If you are offered one, or the other beers available seem sub-par, this beer is acceptable. Toss it into your basket if you like ales and you're at the store picking something else up, but it is not worth actively seeking out.

Note: I realize that this review may seem harsh, but if you have not tried it and you do spot it somewhere, feel free to pick it up, you may be surprised.

Serving type: bottle

01-15-2011 05:45:00 | More by Kubus

OldGrowler

Ontario (Canada)

3.38/5  rDev -13.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

A typical ale/porter/stout variety. Slight roast, moderate malt, not complex enough to carry the bitterness. Unpleasant aftertaste. Metallic notes didn't impress me. Nothing outstanding. The spicy malty smell was the best part. I much preferred the Peter's English Ale.

Serving type: bottle

01-09-2011 01:02:34 | More by OldGrowler

claspada

New Jersey

3.88/5  rDev -0.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Aromas are very heavy with lots of chocolate on the front. Caramels and some toffee also comes through.
The taste differs from the nose slightly. It starts out with a fairly strong coffee essence, then followed by lots of chocolate flavors with the caramel complimenting that profile. Some slight herbal bitterness in the finish from either the dark roasted grains or some light UK hops. Full malt flavor. Really nice sweetness up front. Some nearly burnt roast that leads to a long dry finish. The heavy malt flavors contrast atypically with the lighter body. A nice example of the winter warmer style. You can always rely upon the English to do a classy style correctly. St. Peters is one of the few English breweries which you can consistently rely on to deliver an authentic, quality AND fresh product to the states (second only to Sam Smith). Extremely drinkable and worth the purchase if located.

Serving type: bottle

12-26-2010 22:43:12 | More by claspada

ritzkiss

Ontario (Canada)

3.6/5  rDev -7.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

500ml bottle from the LCBO, pours a pleasant dark brew, almost black with hints of mocha brown and a slight ruddy redishness. Thin head which dies to placid, a vigorous swirl can only generate a thin cover of bubbles.

Nose is some light roast, cocoa, caramel, a hint of earth. Taste follow suit with a noticable cherry flavor which borders on syrupy/medicinal, a hint of anise. Caramel, fruit bread, plums, cocoa, roast - not a stout but some of the characteristics of an English stout. It's quite quaffable, a little thin bodied, creamy but low carb. Decent but not as impressive as other offerings from this brewery.

Serving type: bottle

12-26-2010 01:13:17 | More by ritzkiss

spinrsx

Ontario (Canada)

3.98/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

500ml Bottle

Appearance - The beer pours a clear dark brown colour with a reddish hue. There is a small frothy beige coloured head and can't see much carbonation. There is some faint lacing and the head only lasted for a few minutes before it began to dissipate.

Smell - malts, port wine, toffee, chocolate, coffee

Taste & Mouth - The beer has a low to average amount of carbonation and the beer feels very creamy on the tongue. Most of the taste is made up of malts mixed with port wine and toffee. There is also a slightly metallic flavour and notes of chocolate and coffee. The beer finishes with a malt and coffee after taste with just a touch of sweetness.

Drink - The alcohol is extremely well hidden and this is a great winter warmer. It reminded me a little bit of a scaled down version Unibroue's Trois Pistols. Worth seeking out, especially during the colder months.

Serving type: bottle

12-15-2010 17:57:42 | More by spinrsx

ludachris

Ontario (Canada)

3.98/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A deep and opaque nut brown body that borders black is topped by about a finger's worth of big soapy bubbles that sit on a thin sheet of tan coloured head, quickly receding to a thin bubbly ring of lace.

Rich and roasty in the nose, with a dry coffee-like character being paired with fine and gooey dark chocolate and hints of cherry syrup and spice. A subtle mineral water quality reminds me that this beer is of English origin. I also pick up on a little bit of booziness which is surprising considering that it's only 6.5% ABV. Complex and hefty; more reminiscent of a stout in comparison to any other Winter Warmer I've had, but I'm not complaining.

Right off the bat I get a good amount of dry dark chocolate, but the beer quickly switches gears into a much more dry and roasty character that drags out just passed the finish. Towards the end is where I pick up on suggestions of chocolate covered cherries, various spices, and that English mineral quality that goes nicely with the dryness of the beer.

Medium bodied, crisp, and dry with a good balance and prickly carbonation. An easy quaffer with the added pleasure of a subtle warming feel in the stomach.

A good twist on the more spice-forward Winter Warmers I've had, possessing a lot more characteristics of an English Stout. If this was indeed a stout, I could think of several stouts that I'd purchase before this one, but I like it as a unique WW. This style has yet to really blow me away, but keep them coming for the season! This one's a great start.

Serving type: bottle

12-15-2010 02:33:39 | More by ludachris

kwjd

Ontario (Canada)

3.73/5  rDev -4.6%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a dark brown colour with thin tan head that dissipates fairly quickly. Almost no lacing on the glass. Smells of mild roasted malt, earthy hops, caramel and and chocolate. Flavour has mild bitterness and bigger on sweetness. Smooth mouthfeel. This really reminds me of a porter.

Serving type: bottle

12-13-2010 23:06:02 | More by kwjd

TheHoppiest

Ohio

3.93/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a 1liter bottle into a pint glass. Pours very dark, an impenetrable black with a slow developing tan head that reduces as slow as it grows.

Has a bready malt aroma, almost biscuity, with toffee notes with coffee notes and chocolate.

Has a very traditional winter warmer taste; yeast and biscuity malt, buttery toffee and nutmeg, with a mildly bitter finish.

Medium bodied, the bitter profile begins to catch you and tighten the tongue.

A nice example of the winter warmer style. You can always rely upon the English to do a classes style correctly.

Serving type: bottle

12-12-2010 22:02:38 | More by TheHoppiest

corby112

Pennsylvania

3.63/5  rDev -7.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours a dark ruby red/Chestnut brown color with amber edges when held to a light source and a two finger frothy beige head that quickly fades into a lasting ring. Sporadic spots of lacing left behind.

Roasted malt aroma with very subtle peppery spiciness. Hints of sweet alcohol, syrup, pepper, dark fruit and faint hops.

The ABV for this beer is pretty high for a British beer but I found it to be well balanced and very quaffable. Lots of roasted malt with peppery spice, candy sugar and dark fruit notes. Hints of plum, raisin, fig, grape and dark cherry. This beer is fuller bodied than expected and I was pleasantly surprised by it's complexity.

Serving type: bottle

12-12-2010 08:42:41 | More by corby112

AgentMunky

Alabama

3.38/5  rDev -13.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a 500mL bottle into a pint glass. Best before December 2010.

A: Very nice! Ruddy dark-brown, with a thick, sturdy head. What appears at first glance to be a black beer is betrayed by soft edges. Held up to the light, one can just barely see shadows on the other side of the glass. Lacing clings to the sides. I approve!

S: Sweet molasses-malt and equal amounts of springy hops.

T: Almost sour fruit spars with the expected molasses, caramelised taste. Carbonation and hops are not far behind. Mostly malty in character, but disturbingly tart. The aftertaste is light, reflecting a diminished version of all the aforementioned flavours.

M: Nothing notable -- some fizz, some spark. Meh.

D: Alcohol is definitely noticeable, surprising considering the relatively low ABV. Not sure from whence the odd sourness comes, perhaps it's because I'm flirting with the Best Before date, maybe it's just the style. At any rate, it detracts from an otherwise pleasant ale. It is true winter outdoors (0° C and five inches of snow on the ground) and that does make this beer feel more appropriate. Based on this tasting, I can't recommend it.

Serving type: bottle

12-05-2010 00:06:32 | More by AgentMunky

bmwats

Louisiana

4.08/5  rDev +4.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from 500 ml. bottle into standard pint.

A: Very dark brown. Pours a slight, bubbly, brownish head. Dissolves quickly and almost completely, but not much to begin with, anyway. Just a little beer ring lacing remains as you drink.

S: Coffee roasted malt, dark bittersweet chocolate, a little butterscotch, and just a little pungent peatiness.

T: Deep roasted malt with just a touch of sweetness. That pungency is much stronger on the palette than in the nose (but not in a bad way). Strong alcohol, maybe bourbon, note.

M: the pungency introduces itself in the front, and lingers throughout. Despite the rich and robust flavor, it doesn't feel heavy on the palette. Has a certain light, refreshing quality. Kinda' weird.... because it's a bit unexpected.

D: Good sipping brew to savor and enjoy.

Good atmosphere. Bold, intimidating appearance, although nothing too exciting, and not much in terms of a head or lacing. Nose is great though. Great combination of deep, rich roasted malt, coffee, and chocolate hints. Flavor follows suit. Deep, rich, and robust, and a clean palette with a good balance of tones. Overall, this is a really good quaff.

Serving type: bottle

11-21-2010 04:36:59 | More by bmwats

MattyV

Ontario (Canada)

4.18/5  rDev +6.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours an opaque cola colour with 1 finger of creamy beige head that shrinks down a lasting ring.

Not picking up too much in the nose at first, the standard English malt aroma with very subtle hints of toffee, chocolate, and butter.

Toffee/caramel malt flavours that quickly segue into a substantial but not overpowering bitterness from the dark malts and hops. I was expecting this to be more on the sweet/malty side. Finish is on the dry side, no lingering flavours, but slightly chalky.

Substantial mouthfeel, as expected. Medium to full-bodied, with soft creamy carbonation. No big complaint here but I found it a tad undercarbed.

This was quite different from what I was expecting; my only other experience with winter warmers was Sam Smith's Winter Welcome Ale. While this is a whole different beast, it's a delightful porter'ish brew that I'd likely reach for again.

Serving type: bottle

11-18-2010 05:17:55 | More by MattyV

Mit

Ontario (Canada)

3.08/5  rDev -21.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

a-dark beer. minimal head.

s-malty, dark fruit type smells, coffee, very nice. Nice bitterness in the aftertaste

t-coffee flavours, malts...seems somewhat muted compared to the smells that originally presented themselves.

m-kinda thin I found for a higher ABV.

d-pretty drinkable, prob wouldn't drink too much with tastier IMO winterwarmers out there though.

Serving type: bottle

11-17-2010 00:41:02 | More by Mit

case4816

Ontario (Canada)

4.1/5  rDev +4.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A- Poured into snifter glass a very dark brownish, red colour. like strong tea. Very bubbly head that thinned to an almost non-existent lacing.

S- Very heavy smell with lots of chocolate on the front. Caramel and some coffee also comes through, as well as a little of the alcohol. Also a light hint of some cinnamon.

T- Fairly strong coffee essence, lots of chocolate flavour with the caramel complimenting that profile. Cinnamon comes through, as well the alcohol comes through quite strong, with some light coffee on the finish that is noticeably bitter.

D- I'm going to get a few more of these for sure. Very enjoyable to drink; a very delicious winter beer.

Serving type: bottle

11-11-2010 05:32:26 | More by case4816

bark

Sweden

3.05/5  rDev -22%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

The rather strong smell is roasted with hints of soap. Some bitterness and hints of toffee, grass, coffee and spices (cloves, allspice, nutmeg, vanilla). A gentle sweetness in the background, as well as a hint of sourness.

The colour is dark copper (40 EBC); the liquid is clear. The two finger head is pale brown and compact. No lacing occurs.

The taste is dry with some unclear spices. Dry, somewhat malt-sour flavours with some bitter hops. Hints of dough, vegetables and apricots. The bitterness is almost chemical and a bit sharp. Hints of grilled meat, banana peels and lemon peels. Some noticeable alcohol in the finish as well as some

The carbonation is medium strong; the small bubbles a bit sharp. The liquid is dry, yet a bit thick.

A winter warmer that is too dry, the bitterness is too raw and the flavours are all over the place. Will probably gain of a years cellaring.

Serving type: bottle

11-10-2010 20:17:19 | More by bark

BBP

Ontario (Canada)

4.28/5  rDev +9.5%
look: 2 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A- Pours black with little to no head that disappears in no time. Only slight carbonation. Not a good first impression. Looks like a thick soda. Perhaps the bottle shouldn't be held vertically when pouring, as many others here stated that they got some head.

S- Dark malts. Noticable roasted malts as well. Chocolate, and perhaps hints of coffee. Pretty nice. Needs more strength to it though.

T- Dark/roasted malts followed by notes of cocoa. Has a lot of bitterness, which isn't too normal for a winter warmer, but I'm enjoying it considerably. I'd imagine it's a mix of the cocoa, and some hops that aren't all too detectable, but you know they're there. This strikes me as a porter, and I can't say that bothers me.

M- Medium body, and pretty smooth. Leaves a dryer finish, and is a little sticky. Carbonation is sleek, and very background. It works in a way that supports the drink, but doesn't draw attention to itself, which I think more beers should aim to do.

D- This is considerably drinkable, and the ABV is hidden tremendously. The only way I'd think it was 6.5% was that it's pretty flavorful.

This doesn't strike me as a winter warmer, but I don't care, it tastes great. I'd recommend trying it. It's a great balance of flavor and drinkability, and it should definitely be picked up at least once.

Serving type: bottle

11-08-2010 22:56:55 | More by BBP