Winter Skål - Capital Brewery

crossovert

Wisconsin

3.03/5  rDev -18.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

12 oz twist off bottle.

It pours an amber/orange, like an oktoberfest.

The smell is clean with a big grainy smell. There is a hint of diacetyl in the smell, it smells buttery.

The taste is very basic, the diacetyl is still there though. It is basic and grainy.

This beer is about as basic as it gets, with little flavor. Like a watered down butterier oktoberfest beer.

Serving type: bottle

11-01-2010 22:45:01 | More by crossovert

LairdChisholm

Illinois

3.5/5  rDev -5.9%
look: 2.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A - Pours a dark amber color with an orange tint. Hardly any head on this one. More just like a white film. Surprisingly leaves a little lacing. Moderate carbonation bubbles heading to the top. This beer leaves something to be desired.

S - A pretty good nose on this one. Toasted malts, mixed with caramel, hazelnut, cinnamon. Pretty strong too. Pleasantly surprised.

T - Nice, toasty, caramel malts at first. Maybe a hint of cinnamon. A little bit too much alcohol in the aftertaste though.

M - A little less carbonation than I would like. Makes for a more than medium body, but not in a good way.

D - Not hard to drink, but doesn't have me running back to the fridge. Could have one or two more though.

Serving type: bottle

08-24-2010 00:16:18 | More by LairdChisholm

Strix

Wisconsin

3.18/5  rDev -14.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Pale orange color

Weak smell, grains, toasty notes.

Some toasted flavors, and a slight caramel note. The slightest hop notes in the background.

Mouthfeel average.

I was underwhelmed. Easy to drink, but I don't feel I could pick it out of a lineup.

Serving type: bottle

02-01-2010 02:15:31 | More by Strix

AmberMan22

Minnesota

2.98/5  rDev -19.9%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Had this on tap last night at the Echo Tap.

after looking at some of the other reviews, I almost feel like the guy poured me the wrong beer.

Mine was overwhelmingly dominated by a honey taste, though a solid amber style taste was discernible for about the 1st second of every sip. The color looked like a fairly light orange, not dark enough for amber and nowhere near red. I was pretty disappointed with this one, since I felt like I was drinking out of a beehive.

Serving type: on-tap

01-31-2010 00:30:22 | More by AmberMan22

ruckus232

Illinois

3.4/5  rDev -8.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

12 ounce brown bottle poured into a pint glass

Appearance: Amber coppery color with a nice amount of tan head that didn't leave much lacing on the glass

Smell: Nice fruity smell almost like raisins with a slight malt scent in the background

Taste: Not as good as the smell was. There is a nice malty flavor that is followed by a bitterness but the bitterness doesn't really compliment the sweetness for some reason. Not bad but could be better.

Serving type: bottle

01-27-2010 00:52:47 | More by ruckus232

Vancer

Illinois

3.63/5  rDev -2.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Here we go with a nice amber brew, heady and frothy ivory head floats gently on top, leaving Brussels lace as she slides downward.

Aroma of winter spice, mostly black pepper, but with a touch of nutmeg too. Full bodied brew that drinks smoothly, full of malt with that bit of spice in the finish.

Tasty brew, glad I have several bottles as the football Sunday progesses - a real session type frosty that would work well in the summer too.

Serving type: bottle

01-24-2010 21:50:23 | More by Vancer

steveh

Illinois

3.9/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Haven't tried this one in a while, but it was always a favorite.

A -- Clear, copper color with a thick, cream colored head that settles slowly leaving sticky lacing.

S -- Spicy hops -- Saaz or Tettnang. No real malts coming through.

T -- Sort of mellow, nutty malts with a mild, spicy hop character back, bready malt finish.

M -- Light-medium body with a smooth, almost creamy, mouthfeel.

D -- Very nice amber lager. Goes down nicely.

Serving type: bottle

01-22-2010 22:41:00 | More by steveh

dstc

Florida

4.33/5  rDev +16.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours a burnt orange color with a small tan head. Head falls to about nothing. Very thin lace.

Nice malt aroma with hops hurried in there as well. Smells like it could be good.

Rather full flavor. Nice malt taste followed by tangy hops that really bring the tongue alive. I can see drinking a few of these in one setting.

Somewhat full and smooth in the mouth with a slight bite on the tongue.

I find this to be very drinkable. Would be one I would like to have on tap and sit and drink a few.

Serving type: bottle

12-27-2009 23:40:10 | More by dstc

beerwolf77

Wisconsin

3.25/5  rDev -12.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

The beer pours a crystal clear golden red hue. The bright white head burst to a full inch then fades almost as quick. Not much lace at all is left behind.

The aroma is sweet spicy malt at the forefront. Mild hops with a grassy earthy hint. Smells very marzen like.

The flavor is malty spicy hops. A mix of fresh cut grass and wheat biscuit dominate the finish. If I didn't know any better I would say this is a oktoberfest if anything.

Medium to light body. Plenty of carbonation.

Overall I was told this was a great seasonal. Well I beg to differ. This was just another "marzen" to throw on the pile. Nothing really distinguishable about this beer at all.

Serving type: bottle

12-14-2009 03:21:21 | More by beerwolf77

BeardedBoffin

New Mexico

3.63/5  rDev -2.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A hard pour leaves me an amber brew with a billowing cap of foam which eventually settles into a pillow-like situation that left decent lacing down the glass. The aroma consists of caramel sweetness from toasted malt nicely balanced by spicy notes from the hops, clove perhaps. Sweet and grainy on the palate. The spice from the hops lingers a few seconds after the beer has been swallowed. The faintest indication of a metallic character also lingers. It is not strong enough to be off-putting but certainly exists. This light-bodied brew is good. To achieve greatness it would need added complexity and an element of uniqueness.

Serving type: bottle

12-10-2009 02:44:45 | More by BeardedBoffin

paco1029384756

Illinois

3.73/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Pours a golden orange color with a small white head.

Scent of caramel, sugars, light spice, a hint of hops, and some citrus. A bit weak, but not bad.

Taste of sugars, caramel and some spices. It has a rather simple taste, though it is not really one dimensional. A solid beer, suitable for sessioning.

Mouthfeel is light bodied with a nice big bite of carbonation.

Serving type: bottle

11-30-2009 00:55:35 | More by paco1029384756

BeerFMAndy

Wisconsin

4.09/5  rDev +9.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

12 oz twist-off bottle poured into a Sierra Nevada imperial pint.
5.8% ABV, no date.

A - A tall but quiet pour brings out a small, one-finger, slightly off-white head. Moderate retention leaves some fingers of lacing above the clear and beautiful warm honey golden orange-colored beer.

S - The nose begins with a honey-drizzled biscuit malty sweetness with husky pale notes and a touch of caramel sweetness. A well balanced hop aroma is complimentary, offering up a noble nose of floral and light citrus hints.

T - The flavor mirrors the nose to a T. Malty flavors start first with an overarching honey and caramel sweetness and move right along into a floral and lightly spicy noble hop nose with a faint white grape finish. Husky pale malt provides a good base while keeping it from being too sweet.

M - Hard and crisp, sprtizy carbonation dances on the tongue but the beer is quite smooth feeling. The finish becomes dry though the sweetness is very well balanced.

O - Winter Skål is a fairly straight-forward malty amber lager with subtle floral hop nuances that provide good balance for an easy drinking and smooth winter lager.

Serving type: bottle

11-23-2009 00:44:34 | More by BeerFMAndy

jsh420

Illinois

4.15/5  rDev +11.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

pours clear bright amber orange with a 1+ finger white head that left some lacing

smells well spiced with carmel/bready malts in the background

taste is solid - again spice hits you up front but the spice is not some gimmicky holiday atrificial flavor - it blends well with the bready malts

mouthfeel is light crisp some bite to it

drinkability is good - if you want a easy drinking holiday lager this will fit the bill

Serving type: bottle

11-22-2009 01:53:25 | More by jsh420

gmfessen

Michigan

3.58/5  rDev -3.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from the bottle into a pilsner glass, beer is a rusty/copper color with a pillowy tan head. The nose is rather weak and non-distinct. A bit of stale grain is all that is discernable. The taste retains some caramel and biscuity flavors with a touch of hop bitterness and flavor, there is also a slight citrus sourness at the end. The mouthfeel is light in body and has a smooth, velvety carbonation. Overall a drinkable beer, it would be interesting to try this beer when it was actually in season.

Serving type: bottle

07-27-2009 01:39:56 | More by gmfessen

roadhouse

Florida

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

Poured from a 12 oz. bottle into a pint glass.

Appears an amber orange color with a three-quarter inch off-white head that falls to a skim and leaves a few rings of lace.

Aroma is quite mild but there's some caramel and toasty notes.

Taste has a sweet caramel flavor up front, a bit of toastiness, and a slightly fruity/spicy character then comes out in the finish.

Mouthfeel is light bodied, somewhat crisp. An easy one to drink.

Pretty good beer I must say, I hope to try more from this brewery in the future.

Serving type: bottle

03-19-2009 03:53:22 | More by roadhouse

RblWthACoz

Pennsylvania

3.83/5  rDev +3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours a perfectly clear amber with a decent crème head that fell fast. Mild fruity malts and mild hops on the nose. Flavor is slight salty with a touch of citric bite. Not abrasive by any means. Smooth and not trying to be showy. Feel is smooth in liquid. Carbonation bites a bit. Easy to drink. I'm going to peg this as a pale ale. Not too shabby.

Serving type: bottle

03-09-2009 18:16:13 | More by RblWthACoz

abents

Wisconsin

3.78/5  rDev +1.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours out a pretty nice orange-red with a white head that fades quickly into the beer. Light caramel malt nose, not much too it. Taste is a mix of spices, caramel malt, and slight hoppy bitterness to it. Very well balanced interesting amber lager, much spicier than riverwest stein, but very nice. Warming sweetness in the finish makes this a wonderful candidate for a cold night. Pretty heavy carbonation adds to the drinkability of this beer. Makes it much more refreshing.

Serving type: bottle

02-06-2009 05:44:30 | More by abents

hopdog

Pennsylvania

3.35/5  rDev -9.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

12oz bottle.

Poured a medium and slightly hazy amber color with an averaged sized off white head. Aromas of caramel and toasted malts (toasted caramel). Tastes of toffee, toasted malts, some nuttiness, and some breadiness.

Notes from and tasted on: 01/11/06.

Serving type: bottle

01-18-2009 01:38:37 | More by hopdog

CHSLBrew

Minnesota

3.5/5  rDev -5.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured into a pint glass.

A-Orange-amber beer is pristine and attractive. A light-tan head on top retained poorly.

S-Minimal aroma was crisp, with a distinct spiciness and a slight bread.

T-Some dank hoppy character comes into play, then spicy nuances move in. The spices are remniscent of the holiday norms (also with a hint of rye-type spiciness?), especially on the finish. Some bready malts mingle.

M-Medium-high carbonation with an uninteresting medium-light body.

D-Decent brew. Nothing too exciting as far as flavor and complexity, but it's still a tasty and easy-to-drink brew.

Serving type: bottle

01-12-2009 21:59:14 | More by CHSLBrew

mwilbur

Minnesota

3.28/5  rDev -11.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Poured from 12 oz bottle into shaker pint glass.
A: Pours a very clear light amber with 1/2 inch white head that quickly dissipates.
S: Citrus hops and a hint of spice in the background. Faint light caramel and toffee.
T: Fairly bland. Some banana and clove. Caramel malt and citrus hops are way in the background.
M: Heavier and more oily than I was expecting. Distracts from the rest of the beer.
D: All-around average. Not bad, but nothing special. Not a true winter warmer.
Thanks to my bro for this one...beer for Christmas!

Serving type: bottle

01-07-2009 05:14:19 | More by mwilbur

robbyc1

Illinois

3.03/5  rDev -18.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A decent look of pale malt looking, little head.

Not much on the nose, taste has the pale malt and mild hops, a decent session type taste but not much more.

Easy to drink, but not really satisfying, looking for more depth after one, ok in a pinch.

They should call this a nice session beer, not much to satisfy your winter needs.

Serving type: bottle

01-05-2009 21:34:32 | More by robbyc1

Soneast

Wisconsin

3.75/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a light copper color, a 2 finger cream colored head that dissipates quickly leaving a watery skim on top of the beer. Not much lace visible.

A predominate sweet malted aroma, with a hint of yeasty biscuit.

A lightly toasted malt flavor, backed up by a spiciness, leaving a mildly sweet flavor on the palate.

This light bodied well carbonated beer is a "wet" beer, no dryness or bittering hops evident, just the mild sweet malt with a hint of spice. I wasn't overly impressed by this.

Serving type: bottle

12-21-2008 23:31:43 | More by Soneast

Gehrig

Illinois

3.58/5  rDev -3.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Clear burnt orange body with two fingers of off-white head atop it, leaving decent lacing. Shy nose, with lightly toasted malt and some caramel. The nose and taste are rather understated and, while this isn't classified as a Winter Warmer, I had hoped that it would provide some Warmer spice and bold malt flavor. Not so much. The malt isn't bad--caramel, again, easily on the radar--but this certainly lacks spice. It comes across as a pretty good macro lager. Smooth and amply carbonated, the mouthfeel helps to make up for the smell and taste.

Not bad overall, but nothing to blow the socks off. Worth giving a shot.

Serving type: bottle

12-19-2008 04:00:07 | More by Gehrig

CaptainIPA

Wisconsin

3.8/5  rDev +2.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Pours a gorgeous burnt-copper color with a thin, beige head that leaves slight tracings of lace. Visible carbonation.

S: Complex nose: caramel, floral hops, pumpkin, acorn squash and other assorted vegetal matter. An unexpected hit of soap.

T: Toasted malt with a subtle spiced hopping. Flashes of grain around the edges. Well-balanced and about as smooth as it gets: doesn't finish particularly dry or bitter. Me likey.

M: Medium-bodied and moderately carbonated. Creamy texture on the palate.

D: Very good winter seasonal. Highly recommended.

Serving type: bottle

12-12-2008 16:22:27 | More by CaptainIPA

BeerCheese

Wisconsin

4.05/5  rDev +8.9%
look: 5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured crystal clear, light amber, big pillowy tan head. Great looking beer! Nice fresh smell with a hint of spice and citrus. Very malty taste typical of the style. Very light carbonation went nicely with the taste. Also noted a little warming as it went down, but no real noticeable taste of alcohol, which was also nice. Medium/light mouthfeel. VERY drinkable beer that I will enjoy again.

Serving type: bottle

12-06-2008 03:21:03 | More by BeerCheese