Vinter Varmer - Laurelwood Pizza Co. (CLOSED)

zaphodchak

Virginia

2.85/5  rDev -28.2%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

On tap at Laurelwood in PDX. Part of a taster tray

Offwhite, seasonally appropriate snowflake-shaped tracing on the surface. Deep red-brown body.

No nose at all? Maybe malt? I'm fishing, here.

Little here as well. Some bitter, dry malt, some aggressive booze tang without the warmth.

Smooth feel, but kinda weak.

Muddled, hardly a warmer. Either there was a line issue, I wasn't in the right mood, or this is a boring beer.

Serving type: on-tap

12-31-2011 20:55:27 | More by zaphodchak

coastiefish

Oregon

3.2/5  rDev -19.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

22 bomber shared with katelovesbeer.
oct. 2011 release

A- darker than what I recall from last year. nice tan dense thin layer of head covering a dense dark brown sultry bodied brew.

S - Faint nose, bit of caramel, bread, spice (nutmeg, all spice) sweet and tiny bit nutty

T - Lighter taste impact than I recall from last year. The taste lacks for me a bit. Somewhat disappointing, but a little surprising as well. Nutty, roasted malts. This isn't as hopped filled as some claim in their reviews, however some are more sensitive to a hop presence. The hops are present enough to round out the beer, and leave a slight bitter lingering, but well rounded out with the caramel, nutty malt.

M - Love the mouthfeel. Good body- not big- but filling. Subtle carbonation.

O - Im slightly disappointed that this brew isnt a little bit bigger than it is. Its easy, its drinkable, try it. I may give it one more go this season, but there are so many other seasonals that are worth the time.

Serving type: bottle

10-21-2011 04:41:04 | More by coastiefish

philbertk

Washington

3.3/5  rDev -16.9%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

22 oz. Bottle purchased for $5.25 + Tax at Fremont, Seattle PCC. Thin no lace off white light tan wispy head. Clear bright dark bronze color hazes ugly brown at end of bottle.Roasted cocoa mild fruit ester mild hop front. Medium textured slightly sweet cloying mild roasted malt spice cocoa Wintery malty body. Balanced mild hop spice lingering sweet malt roasted end. Mildly hoppy with hints of rich roasted malt spice flavors and maybe some nutty hints. (3.0 / 5.0). 6.4% ABV--49 IBU's.

Serving type: bottle

12-18-2012 05:52:56 | More by philbertk

froghop

Washington

3.4/5  rDev -14.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

pours a very deep dark copper with a large bubbly light brown head, and some lacing.

smell is of toffee, spice, malt, and some pepper.

taste is somewhat watery, malt, caramel, some spice, and hops in the back, end is a little dry and nicely bitter.

Serving type: bottle

01-24-2010 05:25:42 | More by froghop

Ghenna

California

3.43/5  rDev -13.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured a ruddy brown with a latte coloured 1.5 finger head. Low retention.

Smells initially of pine hops, spice, and a bit malty.

Flavors of hops and roasted malts make themselves immediately apparent. Truthfully, I think there is more in the way of flavor there, but the hops (not overbearing, mind you) are obscuring them a bit.

Mouthfeel isn't heavy- typical for your average red, maybe with a slight bit more body.

Overall this isn't too bad a brew, though not exceptional either. It is a nice example of a red.

Serving type: bottle

02-13-2010 02:37:46 | More by Ghenna

ChainGangGuy

Georgia

3.53/5  rDev -11.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Appearance: Pours a near clear, dark mahogany-hued body with a small, frothy, white head.

Smell: Roasty, toasty maltiness with scents of dark caramel and just a hint of molasses. Also, a note of fresh pine as well as a vague, indistinct spiciness.

Taste: Flavors of oven-toasted dark caramel and roast with a medium amount of lingering sweetness. A few globs of molasses. Sharply spicy, resinous hop flavors of pine and even spruce tips with a sturdy amount of bitterness. Tastes of fruit and pepper glide by the tongue. Finishes dry, roasty, a bit spicy, and with some noted alcohol warmth.

Mouthfeel: Medium-plus body. Medium carbonation.

Drinkability: Fairly good and worth a try. It sets itself apart from the typical wintertime seasonal offering.

Serving type: bottle

04-22-2009 18:58:54 | More by ChainGangGuy

HuskyinPDX

Washington

3.6/5  rDev -9.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at the Portland airport. Ahhh, this one is not retired guys.

A - Served a medium to dark from with a foamy ligt tan head. Great retention and lots of lacing.

S - Pretty nutty and roasted coffees.

T - Again nutty and lots of roasted malts. Finishes like a bitter coffee.

D - Great carbonation, very lively.
Medium body.

O - Nice beer. Liked this guys. Light drinker with a nice roasted finish.

Serving type: on-tap

01-16-2012 20:17:45 | More by HuskyinPDX

jdhilt

New Hampshire

3.63/5  rDev -8.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours with a light tan one finger head that fades slowly, leaving some lace. Light-medium carbonation and medium bodied. Cloudy amber color. Nose is sweet spicy hops. Flavor is balanced with hints of caramel and slight bitter finish. 22oz bottle gift from Haggens Beaverton, OR.

Serving type: bottle

02-22-2008 23:54:32 | More by jdhilt

Reidrover

Oregon

3.63/5  rDev -8.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

22oz from "Lamb's Thriftway" Wilsonville, OR. $5.49 Pours a handsome chesnut brown with some dark red hints and a gorgeous thick tan head. Very malty aroma to this one, caramel,cereal and bread dominate Taste is also malt driven..semi-bitter malts..dark chocolate, french Roast Coffee and some hazelnut.Some candysugar sweetness then finished off by a deep hop bitterness..thats lasts. Nice mouthfeel, not to shabby. Overall a nice malty winter beer.

Serving type: bottle

12-08-2010 23:47:16 | More by Reidrover

Dubbercody

Washington

3.65/5  rDev -8.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

2006 Edition...

Dark Amber/mahogany brew with a nice small white head from an on tap pour. Malty nose with a creamy flavor that makes me wonder how it would be on Nitro. This year’s edition is a bit hoppier than years past (in my memory banks). I’m always pleased to find this one on tap as people drink it up as fast as it goes on. It is so good it’s worth picking out a growler or even getting them to fill up a keg when you can find it.

Serving type: on-tap

12-31-2006 19:06:25 | More by Dubbercody

RedBrewer83

Oregon

3.75/5  rDev -5.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured into tulip...

A: Pours a dark brown hue with a nice three finger head of foam, slightly tan in color, good retention and nice lacing.

S: Smells of fresh bread dough, hints of spices and faint sweet malt.

T: Rich bready malt, hints of spice and a crisp floral hop presence. Fairly dry on the finish, lingering bitterness left from the hops.

M: Smooth medium body, active carbonation, clean dry finish.

D: Pretty drinkable, the flavors aren't as balanced as they should be but overall a solid offering.

Serving type: bottle

11-20-2010 06:32:39 | More by RedBrewer83

RedDiamond

Oregon

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

Though Laurelwood defines this ale as a winter warmer, it is best thought of as a red ale brewed as a winter seasonal. VV is a dark, clear crimson with a distinct pitted head and fragrant malty aroma. Like many a Laurelwood ale, it is served too cold and is best appreciated after a few moments of warming. It presents with a solid wall of lace and an equally solid early-boil bittering with an unobtrusive malt accompaniment. By comparison, Laurelwood’s regular red ale, the organic Free Range Red, has more late-boil floral-hop flavor and aroma.

Vinter Varmer’s head and lace soon disappear. What remains is a friendly ale with substantial though not overpowering bitterness that would serve well in any season. Really, it has exactly what you’d want in a beer – quality and character without distractions.

Serving type: on-tap

02-12-2005 00:13:45 | More by RedDiamond

lostinyonkers

California

3.85/5  rDev -3%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4.5

I was taken off guard by the Vinter Varmer--

It came to me during a night of seasonal tasting-- and so I had literally had enough of the coriander and cinnamon varieties. Vinter Varmer was a refreshing change from the pack-- not overly spiced or saturated with cloves like so many winter seasonals. On the contrary, VV is quite dry and drinkable.

I would liken it more to a Black Lager in flavor and balance-- it is chocolatey and quite dry on the finish with a lingering toasted hop flavor.

This is a nice brew- it will disappoint those who like their seasonals to serve as both beer and syrup on their pancakes. But for those with a drier palate- here's a seasonal option for you.

Serving type: on-tap

12-09-2007 08:25:56 | More by lostinyonkers

Docer

Washington

3.9/5  rDev -1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Filled my dusty shelf ridden Growler with this nice new one from some great brewmasters that bought up an old Italian fine dining restaurant 5 blocks away from the home I grew up in. Last beer that was in the Growler from their tap was their Workhorse IPA. I initially stopped bu there to fill the jug with their P-Town Pale... but it was only available down the street at their old joint, now the pizza joint. Still need to grab that...

Aside from the very beautiful servant... I ran into a master himself eating breakfast. He explained his likes for other wide varieties of beers. I liked that about him.

At first smelling the beer out of the growler.. I got a wiff of pickled olives... but I think that might have been a mix of the sanitizer they used to clean the Growler, and the time that thing sat around.

After that it was pure bliss. Great cola color with excellent lacing and mild head.

Many chocolate notes with a great bitter taste... not overpowering but there. Hides it's strength very well. Great carbonation.. not too bubbly.

Smell is mild, taste is great and smooth. A great competitor in the Winter Seasonal Dept. Go grab one on tap!

Serving type: growler

12-09-2008 05:51:11 | More by Docer

draheim

Washington

3.9/5  rDev -1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

22oz bottle (no dates or codes, I think this was bottled in fall 2010) poured into an imperial pint.

Deep red/amber color (crystal clear) with a 1-finger khaki head that recedes and leaves some sticky lacing.

Not a very powerful aroma, some caramelly bready malt and faint spice.

Tastes sweet, malty, with a mild hop bite on the finish. Tastes kind of like a hoppy doppelbock maybe. The spice I typically seek in a winter warmer is subdued.

Overall this is a pretty good winter beer - especially fresh in December,rather than August. A little malt-forward for my taste generally but the hops may also have faded somewhat.

Serving type: bottle

08-05-2011 02:44:11 | More by draheim

msubulldog25

Oregon

3.93/5  rDev -1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Add another bottle to the winter beer bounty here in the Northwest; this is Laurelwood's first bottling (22 oz.!) of this seasonal favorite. Bottle label is an eye-catching sunshine yellow with a simple drawing (think 'Mark Trail' comics...) of a squirrel cupping a thimble-sized cup of ale. That or it's a normal-sized pint and a 'roided up giganto-rodent. Either way, he has a 'drinking problem' - watch the spillage there, Rocky...I digress...

Label shows a slightly reduced 6.4% ABV.

A: In the pint it pours, dark brown/mahogany, tinged with amber. Capped with about half a finger of creamy, very long-lasting head, a shade or two off-white. Though dark in color, good clarity shows when held to light and an ample carbonation fills the glass. Lace is plentiful, lovely and cobweb-by. Very pretty overall.

S: Had some vigor early, big aromatic toasted/grainy malts and a fair amount of piney hops. There's a subtle roasted nuttiness and fleeting holiday/winter spices. Pleasant no doubt, just wish it held on longer and stronger.

T: A hoppy amber, malty and rich. The squirrel is there on the label for a reason, as he represents the latent toasted/burnt nuttiness. Hops are rather indistinguishable, providing anonymous bitterness. Mostly I get dark roasted malts and a spicy bitterness that tastes a bit piney.

M: Likable creaminess in the mouth, just a little thin across the tongue. Fine and active carbonation, modest alcohol warming concealed beneath the toasty bittering. Finish is a long, tingly spicing with more a darkness that weighs down the tongue after a while. Mouth and body are medium.

D: Tasty - certainly an enjoyable, wintery brew. Or is it? This could be served anytime of year and I'd drink it again (though it just feels right on a cold and drizzly mid-November evening...). Modest ABV made downing this bomber easy; it's one I'll pick up again.

Serving type: bottle

11-19-2007 01:12:53 | More by msubulldog25

djeucalyptus

Oregon

3.93/5  rDev -1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a rich dark mahogany that verges somewhere between dark red oak and oily black. Brilliant clear ruby when held up to the light. A fluffy two-finger ochre-khaki head tops it off before very slowly fading leaving a beautiful collar and some impressive lacing.

aromas of bread, caramel, toffee, and a hint of earthy hops. A hint of spice? cardamom and cinnamon. All these aromas seem trapped in the brew... even as it warms, the aroma remains subdued.

Taste is a whole different story. Overwhelming complexity that leaves me attempting to identify where this one falls. It's earthy, sweet, fruity, hoppy, woody, and spicy all at once. It has Laurelwood's signature red malt and hop profiles providing the backbone, but this one's infinitely more complex. Sweet cherries, apples, pear, blackberries and toffee up front. Green and sweet-pine hops intermingle with fresh oak and birch. Some generous spicing just adds another level of depth.

Mouthfeel is strong enough to hold up to the flavors but definitely takes a back seat in intensity. Moderate carbonation fits the moderate feel, maybe a touch on the light side, although there's a touch of creamy syrup to keep it full.

Definitely a nice brew. Now that the glass is empty, I'm still trying to place this one. Definitely a winter warmer with some red in it, the complexity of the hops takes it to another level. It's an impressive brew and definitely worth seeking out, amazing on tap and nice to have the option of a bottle.

Serving type: bottle

11-25-2008 19:36:38 | More by djeucalyptus

bradleyp

Illinois

4.03/5  rDev +1.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Thanks again to the Bier Stein for having this beer.

A: Pours a lighter brown, but turns dark brown once in the glass. Light pillowy head, with little carbonation bubbles throughout.

S: Smell is very crisp and malty. Hard to distinguish the spices used, but I could pick up some coffee and cinnamon aroma.

T: The hops and malts blend very well together. Again, I could defintiely taste cinnamon in the after taste.

M: This is a smooth beer that goes down well. It went very good with my leftover Turkey sandwich.

D: I would really love to try this beer again. I didn't know tha Laurelwood was closed, but it seems like they are still making beer. I hope they continue to make this one because if I see it again, I will certainly purchase it again.

Serving type: bottle

11-28-2010 07:31:54 | More by bradleyp

sprucetip

Alaska

4.08/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

on tap at the airport pub, from notes.

served to me without much head or lacing, with a murky mahogany color and not alot of activity.

Smell is rich caramel malty sweetness with spicy and nutty layers blending pleasantly, topped off by a hint of hops.

Tastes like the nose. Nutty, a bit spicy, and caramel malty sweetness all nicely balanced by modest hops that increase in prominence through the swallow.

Well carbonated, medium body and viscosity, gentle warming, and some bitterness in the finish.

Really nice flavor, body balance and complexity. I'd happily have it again.

Serving type: on-tap

12-16-2010 06:07:34 | More by sprucetip

suncrust

Washington

4.1/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance: A clear, dark, root beer brown with faint reddish hues. Rustic aura. Thin head with little lacing down the glass.

Smell: Light aromas of dark bread, yeast, wet grains, and cranberry muffins. Very, very light piney hop characters with a little lemon zing to them. A sticky, slightly spicy, slight nutty, sweet caramel rounds out the aroma.

Taste: Dark fruits, maple syrupy sweetness, and piney hops dominate the flavor. Mild darker spices, more hops, fig, toast, and a bit of booze to round it out. Piney hop finish.

Mouthfeel: Smooth, subtle characters and a light body. Hops create an interesting sweet pine flavor that lingers in the aftertaste. Almost like a hoppy maple syrup... really tasty. Very clean and a bit dry.

Overall: Not a very full bodied winter, but very smooth and drinkable. Hops are really pleasant and balance the sweet, spicy characters flawlessy. This almost drinks like a hopped up bock.

Serving type: bottle

12-19-2011 00:16:17 | More by suncrust

oberon

North Carolina

4.1/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured into an imperial nonic a deeply roasted chesnut color with a tight formed off white head atop.Roasted nuts,fruity malt,vanilla,and spicy/earthy hops in the nose,a rich and warming combination.Roasted nuts is a huge player on the palate with some brown sugar sweetness and caramel,a light smattering of leafy hops in the finish.This is a quaffing flavorful winter warmer,well rounded.

Serving type: bottle

12-24-2011 01:38:11 | More by oberon

CHILLINDYLAN

Washington

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

Deep browned copper with amber highlights. Big frothy tan head. Thick organic mountains of lace.

Toasty caramel biscuit and some spiciness. Piney hops and a hint of citrus come through the malts.

Roasty coffee/choc and toasty caramel and bread. spicy herbal hops and pine, with a bit of citrus. plesant mellow bitterness with a pine and coffee aftertaste.

dry, sticky, med body, good carbonation, smooth and mellow.

very drinakble and tasty winter warmer. well balanced, but allows both hops and malts to shine.

consumed in Jan 2010.

Serving type: bottle

05-28-2010 00:01:22 | More by CHILLINDYLAN

russpowell

Oklahoma

4.18/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Pours an effervescent red tinged mahogany with 2 fingers of sand colored head. Good head retention & above average lacing

S: Breadyness

T: Herbal & piney hops, breadyness & brown sugar up front. A bit of caramel, then more piney hops & some chocolate & oaky smokeyness, once warm. Finishes with a slight nuttyness, more piney hops & a bit more caramel, plus a just a smidge of earthy hops

MF: Medium/heavy bodied with low carbonation, skews a bit malty, but in the right direction for a winter warmer

Drinks pretty good, the chewyness slows you down a bit. I could pound these for a while

Serving type: bottle

03-04-2008 04:11:45 | More by russpowell

czechsaaz

Washington

4.2/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Really nice malty aroma. Dark caramel and some roast malt and a little chocolate. Some fruity yesat notes too.

Looks brown in the glass but held up to light it's more red and clear. Pours with a small head that sticks around as a small rim of head aroundthe glass.

Definitely malt-forward flavor. Nice base malt with dark crystal and other dark roasted malts but not the black or heavy roast types. Good hop bitterness in the finish but the hops are not a showcase. Some fruity character too like black cherry or blackberries.

Medium-full bodied and the carbonation level is kind of right on. Enough to make it lively but light.

Very nice winter beer. Stronger than your typical IPA or anything I usually drink but not so strong that it seems like the full 22oz will floor you. Worth picking up again and it was under $5 at my local PCC.

Serving type: bottle

12-07-2010 07:52:16 | More by czechsaaz

Bfarr

Washington

4.28/5  rDev +7.8%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Nut brown, thin tan head with okay retention and no lacing. Sweet, nutty lager. Nutty and biscuit sweetness with a light hoppy linger. Light body, slick with a light bite.

An interesting take on a winter warmer. Light, smooth, and simple, this beer is balanced and has a nice meld of flavor. It stays clear and pleasurable throughout and a just a hint of warming. It seems a bit light for a winter warmer but it’s really quite substantial and enjoyable.

Serving type: bottle

12-29-2011 01:42:35 | More by Bfarr