The First Snow Ale - RJ Rockers Brewing Company

showbob

South Carolina

4.88/5  rDev +34.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

My favorite winter ale! The First Snow Ale is an American-style pale ale, moderately hopped. It also happens to have 15 pounds of honey and almost every spice in the cabinet thrown in: cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, orange peel and allspice. Nice! With the 6% alcohol makes it even better!

Serving type: bottle

03-11-2010 19:22:48 | More by showbob

jsprain1

Minnesota

4.6/5  rDev +26.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A- Slightly hazy oranged tan with a cream colored head. Retains head well. Some lacing.
S- Smells very much of spice. Cinnamon, some clove. Actually a bit like a pumpkin ale.
T- In terms purely of taste, this may be the best Winter Warmer I've had. A bit of pumpkin, there some cinnamon, clove, allspice, nutmeg, and then there is just a nice citrus flow to it. Well balanced. Splendid.
M- Creamy, full bodied, just a touch undercarbed is the only complaint I have.
D- Top to bottom, this may be the Winter Warmer I've had to date. A really splendid beer.

Serving type: bottle

03-11-2011 04:02:51 | More by jsprain1

czfreeman

Michigan

4.38/5  rDev +20.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

MY hometown brewery.
Im normally not a huge fan of the style, one winter malty bomb after another...but
First snow pours a lighter tone than expected. Amber tone, thick head, looks great.
Smells of cinnamon, nutmeg, apple cider yeast, sour dough yeast, funky,more tart than most overly-sweet winter warmers.
Tons of sourwood honey, nutmeg, all holiday spices to name.orange peel, cloves in there. Really nice, not a sweet malt bomb on the nose.
Flavor..very well spiced. In perspective this is a great holiday beer.Big on pumpkin, clove, cinnamon, orange, malt, honey cider, apple.
A combination of all thst is good in the winter-No bias this is very good even great. Spiced more heavy than some may like n=but really focused on the whole winter spice profile.
Very good, makes me even more homesick!

Serving type: bottle

01-11-2012 04:42:12 | More by czfreeman

woodjm

South Carolina

4.35/5  rDev +19.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A spiced pale ale thats perfect for the holidays. Light copper color with a medium body. Good amount of head after the pour (about an inch) and slowly thins out. The aroma is huge in this one...full of cinnamon and clove. The flavors that really come out are the nutmeg, cinnamon, and clove. At 6% abv this is not advised as a session beer. Very nicely balanced though. A nicely done seasonal overall. Dumbfounded by the past couple ratings. Looking forward to having it more often next winter.

Serving type: on-tap

03-06-2009 03:58:54 | More by woodjm

Enola

North Carolina

4.22/5  rDev +15.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This beer is a winter warmer no matter what the listed style is. The beer poured a hazy golden color. There was a nice head. The smell was of spices and reminded me of a cold winter day beside the fire. Ths taste was spiced. Cinnamon was dominate. The mouthfeel was smooth. There was no harshness. This is an easy drinking beer I will be sure to have again sometime.

Serving type: on-tap

08-13-2006 15:22:01 | More by Enola

glamphetamine

Virginia

4.22/5  rDev +15.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A - Gold with a hint of red and fully translucent. Poured about a finger of head, though I have a feeling I poured this one oddly and that might have killed the head quite a bit.

S - The smell starts out with hops and spice, the spice being largely cinnamon with some nutmeg, and then fades to a sweet fruity malt aroma with a touch of spice in the background. Very pleasant and layered.

T - Very hoppy at first, but the finish balances that out with a mild and sweet maltiness. The cinnamon quality is more subdued here in than in the smell. The beer leaves the aftertaste of nutmeg in the back of the mouth.

M - Finishes nicely with a slight foamy sensation on the edges of the tongue and an enjoyable aftertaste.

D - Really a very good beer, but I wouldn't recommend more than one in a sitting. The flavors tend to pile up in beers like this and they become overpowering if you have another one. But hey, if you see this around pick some up. It's definitely worth a try, and as far as winter brews go it's up there with some of the best.

Serving type: bottle

12-23-2009 02:01:58 | More by glamphetamine

scottyshades

Florida

4.2/5  rDev +15.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A: Pours a nice medium golden color that produces a little slightly off-white head that dissipates quickly. Minimal lacing along the pint glass.

S: Very very spicy! Nutmeg, gingerbread, cinnamon, and a few other spices

T: Spicy again...cinnamon, ginger, gingerbread, nutmeg. A little too carbonated for my taste though, but still delicious.

MD/D: Although the abv is 6%, I still think this would be a good session beer over dinner in the winter or on a cold day. Nice and warming, the alcohol is hidden, yet warms you when the beer warms.

Another solid production from RJ Rockers

Serving type: bottle

04-23-2009 00:28:37 | More by scottyshades

Beer4Baltimore

Maryland

4.15/5  rDev +14%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

- from the notes
12 ounce bottles.
A - hazy amber full of fine particulates topped with a thin head.
S - lots of malt and spices: nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves.
T - warm spices not overly done and nicely balanced with the malts.
M - could use a little more carbonation to round out the medium body.
D - not a session beer but you could have more than one before the flavor wears you down.

Serving type: bottle

04-29-2011 02:04:33 | More by Beer4Baltimore

GCBrewingCo

North Carolina

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

The beer arrived on the table clear amber golden with a white low and persistent head which laced the glass.

The aroma was spicy phenolics with cinnamon, clove, ginger and allspice. Also present was a light bit of caramel and some citrus.

The flavor was light caramel with a moderate level of spice, again cinnamon, clove and ginger with a slight sweetness on the palate and a nice bit of grassy bittering to balance.

The finish was dry with a lasting bit of muted spice into the aftertaste. The body was medium with a moderate level of carbonation. A nice beer with a subtle spice character.

Pint at CW's in Columbia, SC.

Serving type: bottle

12-19-2006 22:41:30 | More by GCBrewingCo

LordofTime25

Iowa

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

Got from casemw!

The beer is a clear golden when poured into the glass with a one finger head that lasts most of the drink and leaves a nice lacing!

Smells of cinnamon, clove, citrus, and maybe a caramel tone to the beer.

This beer has a sweetness of I believe caramel malt and a slight bitterness, but not much. Nice though.

Beer has a medium body with a nice semi dry finish!

I could drink many of these!

Serving type: bottle

12-15-2008 22:27:49 | More by LordofTime25

thagr81us

South Carolina

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

Served from tap into a Dogfish Head shaker. Poured golden yellow with a one and a half finger bone white head. Maintained phenomenal lacing throughout. The aroma was comprised of malt, cinnamon, corriander, cloves, and candy cane. Yes, candy cane... The flavor was of malt, cloves, corriander, cinnamon, and a slight banana note. It had a light feel on the palate with mild carbonation. Overall this was quite a nice brew. Given that it was a winter brew and I had it in the early fall really says something about this one. I am still in shock even after the next day that I got candy cane on the nose... This is definitely a nice and smooth drinking beer with no harsh flavors anywhere in sight. I will definitely be drinking more of this in the coming winter months for sure. This is a definite must try on tap.

Serving type: on-tap

10-13-2010 12:05:20 | More by thagr81us

CuriousMonk

Virginia

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

Poured from 12 oz bottle into dimpled mug. Pours cloudy amber and short bubbly white head that gathers around the edges on the glass. Aroma is very spicy! Lots of cinnamon, ginger, and clove along with caramel and sweet malts. Taste is gingerbread cookies, caramel, cinnamon toast, and sweet malts. Bit of nuttiness and dried fruit notes coming through as well. Body is medium with moderate carbonation. Finishes with more strong spices - cinnamon and ginger, mostly - caramel, light nutty flavors, and sweet malts. Dried dark fruit as well. Very good winter beer. A sleeper out of the bunch I was evaluating for my winter/christmas beer review.

Serving type: bottle

01-27-2011 21:38:32 | More by CuriousMonk

tdm168

North Carolina

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

A - dark orangish amber with a thin lacing of off white head that has little retention

S - pie spice, bread, nutmeg, cinnamon

T - nutmeg, cinnamon, bread, pie crust, all spice

M - medium bodied, well carbonated

This is a decent brew. If there was a hint of pumpkin here it would make an excellent beer. There pie spices and crust-like bready notes are pretty damn good. I really liked this beer for it's drinkability and it's spice character. A few of these will definitely warm you up in the late autumn.

Serving type: bottle

12-16-2012 01:14:34 | More by tdm168

Tilley4

Tennessee

3.98/5  rDev +9.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Wow... Very nice winter brew here... This is like gingerbread cookies in a glass and isn't overly spiced like some others are... One reviewer mentioned candy cane aromas and I'm getting them too... Lots of gingerbread spices with cinnamon and nutmeg and the like... Toasted malts with lots of sweetness... I'm digging this quite a bit...one of the better winter brews I had this year...

Serving type: bottle

01-12-2011 05:38:32 | More by Tilley4

bucklemyshoe

Georgia

3.98/5  rDev +9.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Pint on-tap at Rooster's Beak.

A: The pour is a slightly clouded amber color with a finger of soapy, dirty-white head that holds and laces very well.

S: Orange peel, coriander, caramel, and toast. It smells like an American Pale Wheat Ale with a bready edge.

T: Strong citrus, coriander, biscuit and caramel malt, and faint grassy notes. It tastes like the coming of Spring.

M: The body is medium with lots of creaminess and a very smooth finish.

D: This very good but not what I expected with the name "First Snow Ale" because it is quite light and citrusy for the style.

Serving type: on-tap

03-02-2011 18:51:22 | More by bucklemyshoe

Proteus93

Virginia

3.93/5  rDev +8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

The second of three leftover brews from their tasting at Beer Run.

A: Fairly blonde, a fizzly head with notes of creaminess.... retention is okay, but nothing much for lacing going on.

S + T: Both the flavour and the aroma are very much like gingerbread. A sweet ginger and nutmeg. The nose has a little more of the warm scent. Flavour is notable, but rather mild... from the little experience I've had with the brewery, that seems to be their M.O.

M + D: A little light... I'd like some more body, but it's not too bad at all. Drinks smooth and easy. A nice seasonal offering, and something I'd be interested in trying again.

Serving type: bottle

01-29-2009 01:52:13 | More by Proteus93

Cyberkedi

Georgia

3.93/5  rDev +8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Comes out of the tap a clear, darkish amber with an average head. Aroma is strong and spicy as well as somewhat malty; spice is mainly cinnamon and cloves. Flavor is fairly strong and malty, and the spicy component is mainly cloves and cinnamon. There is also just a hint of hops. Texture is fairly smooth and tingly, and nips at the tongue.

Serving type: on-tap

12-23-2009 01:13:36 | More by Cyberkedi

superdedooperboy

Georgia

3.93/5  rDev +8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

12 oz. brown bottle poured into a New Belgium globe glass.

Pours a hazy deep golden-amber with a half finger of frothy off-white foam that recedes slowly to a thick crown, leaving some thin legs of lace down the walls of the glass as it empties.

Cinnamon and nutmeg show up in the nose, with what seems like a hint of ginger, clove and a faint whiff of anise, as well as a touch of brown sugar-like sweetness. A little DMS seems to hide in the background -- perhaps a little Pils malt was in the grist? Here's hoping, though it could be a misplaced aroma.

Medium-bodied with a moderate carbonation that seems perhaps a little high. A nice toasty, honeyish sweetness shows up front and carries through well into the middle and back, balanced only, it seems, by the holiday spices thrown into the mix; no real hop profile is noticeable, but things seem nicely in balance nevertheless, if a bit on the sweet side. The finish is a little sweet and a touch grainy; things dry out at the very end, though, with a little spice moving forward and leaving me wanting for a nother draught.

I first sampled this at Columbia's World Beer Festival and have since had it several times. Overall a nice and drinkable Winter Warmer, with quite an appealing spice mix in the aroma; the honeyish notes must indeed stem from the use of honey in the brewing, which is indicated on the label. A nice interpretation for the style; not the best out there, but definitely a go-to choice when it's available.

Serving type: bottle

03-19-2010 03:33:56 | More by superdedooperboy

AshleyMiller

Vermont

3.93/5  rDev +8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

thanks to Msquared2 for this extra. poured into a snifter.

a - pours a golden orange with a fluffy generous thumb-width head that resides quickly leaving some patchy lacing on the glass

s - smells of xmas spices and some orange. i get a little cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamon(?)

t - tastes almost like a belgian yeast with plenty of holiday spices, the honey adds a nice sweetness to go along with the spices

m - plenty of carbonation, on the lighter side of medium-bodiness

o - not too shabby, really quenched my thirst and was a nice beer to drink while watching national lampoon's christmas vacation

Serving type: bottle

12-11-2011 03:07:20 | More by AshleyMiller

TheBrewo

Michigan

3.93/5  rDev +8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

This beer was poured from the tap at Rattle N’ Hum in New York, NY. It arrived in a becker glass a toasted grain color. It sported a light ring of a head, just under half a finger in height. As the head receded, spotty lacing was left around the glass, and a dull haze was noted to the beer. No sediment was noticed, and the carbonation appeared to be average. As we sniffed, the first thing noted was an autumn spiciness, almost reminding us of a pumpkin beer. There were qualities of cinnamon, orange peel, clove, and salty sunflower seeds present as well. As we sipped, our first impression was that there was nice spice and aromatics to the taste. The beginning boasted sour grain mash with a sweeter orange zest. The cinnamon qualities were apparent right from the beginning, and a black pepper spiciness was also noted. As we swallowed, we got a nice balancing herbal and grassy hop quality, with some floral notes on the back. There were also notes of pumpkin spice and fresh cream, adding to the delicious autumn profile of this beer. Buttery bread added further to the warming, “homey” quality of this brew. The end of the sip brought forth a warming quality of grain, cinnamon, and a more clovey spice. The very end boasted a synthetic cherry, sitting high against the booze. The aftertaste breathed of hollow spice, light booze, raw clove, honey sugars, and heavy warming grain. The body was medium, and the carbonation was high. There was nice initial slurp and cream, with coating, which quickly turned to a drying wheaty bite. The abv was appropriate, and the beer drank slowly in this heat.

Overall, what we enjoyed most about this beer was the spicy qualities present throughout both the nose and the flavoring. There was such an array of spicy inclusions, making this nice and inviting for a cozy drink on a cool day. During the summer, however, it is a bit much, and we were bogged down by the heaviness at times.

Serving type: on-tap

08-23-2012 20:56:19 | More by TheBrewo

DrDemento456

Pennsylvania

3.9/5  rDev +7.1%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Holly crap did I let this one age! Purchased from my second order at Halftime beverage about 2 months ago.

A - My guess fresh it would have been a nice clear yellow but about 8 months in I got sediment yeast floaties and a minimal amount of head but nice lacing.

S - My god does that smell good. Rich spicy cinnamon, nutmeg, and coriander along side of pale malts and mild hops.

T - Taste is a nice balance of spice with chalky yeast and mild bite in the finish from the hops. Mostly sweet and enjoyable.

M - Light to medium good for a pale winter warmer.

Overall a very interesting spin on your typical dark thick bodied winter warmer. Would love to try this again fresh to see if the spices are more pronounced in the flavor.

Serving type: bottle

04-24-2012 22:38:45 | More by DrDemento456

NeroFiddled

Pennsylvania

3.88/5  rDev +6.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

First Snow pours a hazy amber body with golden highlights beneath a short-lived head of creamy white.

Cinnamon is apparent in the nose, but there are other spices there as well, and a bit of caramel-laced malt too.

The flavor is just as spicy as the aroma, and it's easily on par with a pumpkin ale (cinnamon, nutmeg, all-spice, ...?). The spicing is a little bit different though, and it's a bit softer. I taste ginger in the finish, although I'm not sure if that's where it's coming from, it could be a combination of spices; perhaps some citrus zest as well. The malt is pretty basic, appearing bready with some medium caramel notes. It supports the spicing really well, but doesn't stand out on its own. Some mild grassy hops are also present, making themselves known across the middle, and then within the background during the finish. Surprisingly, the spices fade rather quickly given the strength that they show up front.

Overall, it's a pretty nice spiced ale that displays good balance. It could be a bit more rounded, but at the same time I kind of enjoy the slap of spice upfront, and then a soft finish. In fact, that's probably actually better than having everything a little bit more integrated throughout.

Worth trying, but I disagree with the label that suggests you "chill the mug" (or glass) before drinking - this was best after it warmed a touch and the malt was able to balance the spices a little bit more.

Serving type: bottle

06-26-2009 11:17:56 | More by NeroFiddled

beer2day

North Carolina

3.88/5  rDev +6.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Honey gold pour with faint carbonation and 1-finger head. Faint retention and lacing.

Honey all over the nose. Corriander backs that up, with a bit of lemon.

Sweet hit and spicy, spicy finish. Honey up front with pepper kicking in at the end. Very sharp finish with lots of spice.

Feel seems about right. Pepper walks all over the feel at the end.

One of these is plenty, even at 6%. That peppery finish brings it down a tad.

Serving type: bottle

05-29-2010 01:04:32 | More by beer2day

micromaniac129

Pennsylvania

3.88/5  rDev +6.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A really well attenuated beer. Quite a tall head on a typicial pour, tall as in at least half the glass. Clear amber and decent carbonation.
Aroma is malty and spices.
Taste is pale malts with caramel sweetness. Spicey flavor similar to pumpkin spice. perhaps some ginger, perhaps some orange peel (that could be suggestive). The spice is more subdued then you would find in a pumpkin beer and balance well with the light malts.
Aside from the really tall head this is a pretty solid beer.

Serving type: bottle

12-01-2012 12:17:17 | More by micromaniac129

wcudwight

North Carolina

3.85/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Had on-tap at Terry's
Murky, dirty-looking pale yellow with a touch of orange mixed in. Very thin head, but it last as long as Strom Thurmand's term as a senator.
The spiciness attacks your olefactory senses with a vengence. Cinnamon, nutmeg and maybe some cloves. Aroma reminds me of some winter warmers I've had.
There is a nice lemon and orange zest in the flavor mixed in with a large does of spiciness. Again cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves.
Light to medium bodied.
Over all it's flavorful and drinkable. I deducted a half a point in the drinkability because of the spiciness. After a couple I would want to move on to something else.

Serving type: on-tap

08-13-2006 15:54:23 | More by wcudwight