Brooklyn Winter Ale - Brooklyn Brewery

woodychandler

Pennsylvania

3.53/5  rDev -2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

I recently was back up to Highland Pizzeria, this time with my Uncle Steve, and this was part of a mixed sixer that I brought home. For those that may be wondering, a Place Review will be forthcoming once they complete their planned expansion, sometime in late-Spring/early-Summer.

From the bottle: "We brew Brooklyn Winter Ale from heirloom Maris Otter malts to create a beer with roots in blustery Scotland. Brooklyn Winter Ale is richly malty, aromatic, full-bodied and perfect with stews, roasts and holiday dishes."

Today is totally appropriate for this beer as a) we still have four days left of Winter and b) it has been flurrying for the last hour! Grr. Die, already, Old Man Winter!

Nothing like an aggro pour to develop a nice cascading action, leading up to two-plus fingers of dense, deep-tan head with good retention. Color was a deep-brown with garnet highlights among the NE-quality clarity. A second pour released some lees hiding at the bottom of the bottle and while I did not mind, it may be something for others to be mindful of. Best Before Date read "4123117080220" but it was indecipherable even to my cryptographic mind. Nose smelled medicinal, like a combination of molasses and anise. Mouthfeel was medium, approaching, but not achieving creaminess. The taste was primarily of molasses, but it was nowhere near as sharp as it was on the nose. Finish was semi-dry, as though the fermentable sugars had been mostly converted, but it was still too sweet for my taste. It kind of reminded me of the finish of a traditional English barleywine. Overall, not bad, but just not my cuppa joe.

Serving type: bottle

03-16-2013 15:11:46 | More by woodychandler

dheacck11

Connecticut

3.63/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

nice dark amber, with nice thick tan 1/4 inch of head

nose is decent with hints of honey, malt, and rye.

Very malt forward with flavors of rye, earth, a little rustiness, and a chase of mild bitters

Mouth feel is very thin and watery.

Very much a british brown/pseudo scotch ale. A decent example of the style, but just not as good as the real thing, and just not my thing.

Serving type: bottle

03-07-2013 23:13:35 | More by dheacck11

nukem5

Pennsylvania

3.63/5  rDev 0%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A: Poured into my BB pint glass ,aggressive pour with about 1 inch of tan creamy foam.

S: Aroma is of malts and sweet raisins.

T: Taste is sweet malts and some dark fruity taste,caramel, toasted bread, molases.

M: Mouthfeel is a bit of metallic, nice carb level but a bit thin for what I was expecting.

O: Overall a decent beer from BB,dont know if I like it or not yet but as it warms up it gets sweeter and maltier. Would probably get this again but will know better after the next 5.

Serving type: bottle

02-06-2013 02:56:09 | More by nukem5

screamking

Ohio

3.89/5  rDev +7.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12oz poured into pint glass.

Appearance-dark cooper with thin light tan head, which disappears fast. 3.75

Aroma-malty, hint of citrus, fresh baked cookies, mostly malty tho. 3.5

Taste-very malty at first, then sweeter with some brown sugar, a little Carmel, very warming beer. 4

Feel-full bodied with carbonation from the start,coats well and stays doesn't dry out. 4

Overall-great winter ale, perfect for cold winter nights. This is the type of beer you take outside to keep you warm while shoveling your drive way. I got this on a close-out for less then a dollar a beer and at that price point you can't beat it. 4

Serving type: bottle

02-03-2013 00:25:35 | More by screamking

IronLover

Pennsylvania

4.04/5  rDev +11.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

Rich maple brown in color with a reddish hue and perfect clarity. Poured with a thick off-white foam that reduced to a wispy cap. Sweet caramel malt, earthy toasted malt, ripe fruit and buttery aromas. Medium bodied with a smooth buttery feel that subdues the rich carbonation. Sweet caramel and toasted malt flavors up front followed by ripe fruit amd a tangy, herbal hoppiness. Finsishes with sweet malty and buttery flavors.

Serving type: bottle

02-02-2013 22:42:33 | More by IronLover

ColdWaffles

Pennsylvania

4.08/5  rDev +12.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Reviewed from notes of stuff I've had over the past month or so.

Poured from a 12 oz bottle into a Samuel Smith's tulip-pint. This has been a Winter favorite of mine for a few years now.

Appearance: Color is ruby-meets-brown. Has a short lived white head that dissipates pretty quick.

Smell: Strongly of roasted malts with a bit of alcohol coming out and a touch of dried fruit. Very nice.

Taste: Sweet, loaded with malt flavor and somewhat nutty with a dried fruit finish. Kind of tastes like a "little-wee-heavy."

A great go-to for a Winter brew in my opinion.

Serving type: bottle

02-01-2013 23:33:27 | More by ColdWaffles

Stinkypuss

Pennsylvania

2.25/5  rDev -38%
look: 3 | smell: 2.25 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 1.25 | overall: 2

Brooklyn Winter Ale
2012/2013 recipe indicates this is a scotch ale

Looks very pale for the style but with good clarity. Laces the glass well and looks pretty decent, but rather pale. Smells like buttery toffee. In the taste, buttery and toffee like. Some grassy hops. Mild scotch style malts, but overall more akin to a uninspired English pale ale than anything. Light to medium bodied. Overactive yeast strain coats the mouth. Overall, a less than average beer with way too much diacetyl and butter to be palatable. Heavily rated scotch ale (over 600 reviews), the recipe must have been better in the past. This is a below average offering in every way. Avoid.

Serving type: on-tap

01-19-2013 23:26:02 | More by Stinkypuss

flyingpig

United Kingdom (Scotland)

4.03/5  rDev +11%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

355ml bottle from Good Spirit Co., Glasgow:

Deep mahogany red colour with a half centimetre tall, slightly off-white head with a bubbly texture on top.

Sweet caramel malts to begin with some earthy ones too and a nutty smell coming through as well. There are some earthy hops and a hint of sugar as well.

Definite sweet malts to begin with some base caramel and a nutty flavour. There is an earthy flavour to it as well, perhaps the hops from the nose along with some darker fruits and a slightly boozy feel to it.

Medium in both carbonation and in body with a boozy feel as mentioned above. It is pretty smooth, quite rich and almost creamy.

Nice an malty from this one, a good winter beer with a slightly boozy feel to it and great drinkability. It goes down particularly well, is pretty well balanced and there is a good closeness between the aroma and the taste. Another fine beer from the guys at the Brooklyn Brewery, I'm already looking forward to my next beer from them.

Serving type: bottle

01-10-2013 14:04:57 | More by flyingpig

gr0g

New Jersey

3.98/5  rDev +9.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Notes from both bottle and draft; score based on draft version.

Bottle poured into Brooklyn pint glass. Mahogany color with high clarity. Two finger head with average retention and lacing qualities. Better lacing when served on-tap. Aroma features rich, caramel and toffee malt. Earthy but also floral hop note.

Flavor is entirely malt forward but with more than enough bittering hops to ensure a bitter finish. Heaps of toffee malt with a distinctive British flavor that I've not yet found the words to describe. A malt bomb with winter warmer qualities that remains sessionable.

On tap is superior to bottled (which is contract brewed), though the difference isn't as great as with other Brooklyns such as the lager. More fresh, floral hoppiness in both aroma and flavor. Mouthfeel for both versions could be just a bit heftier. Bottled version carbonation has tended to fade too quickly.

Between their Winter Ale and Black Chocolate Stout, Brooklyn's winter seasonals are a strong showing. Definitely worth a try, especially on tap paired with food.

Serving type: on-tap

01-05-2013 17:30:08 | More by gr0g

acevenom

Louisiana

3.88/5  rDev +6.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured into a glass mug. Pours clear dark copper with a two-finger length eggshell colored head. There are numerous tiny bubbles visible in the beer. Consumption of the beer leaves lacing down the side of the glass. The aroma is sweet and roasty from the malt. There is an earthy hop aroma as well, but it's not strong. The flavor of this beer displays a strong malt backbone. There's mild caramel sweetness and good roastiness and nuttiness. The earthy hops are there in the back and provide some balance. The body is medium with moderate carbonation. The drinkability of this beer is high. This is a very good beer.

Serving type: bottle

01-05-2013 00:19:18 | More by acevenom

Cylinsier

Pennsylvania

3.45/5  rDev -5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

12oz

Pours clear brown, tan lacing.

Smells of figs, molasses, brown sugar, cinnamon and hazelnut.

Tastes of brown sugar, walnuts, and woody dry malts. Hint of hops at the end.

Medium body with bubbly tingles of carbonation on the tongue.

A good but subdued ale, a bit bland in the flavor but otherwise nothing to complain about and easy to drink. I would have it again.

Serving type: bottle

01-03-2013 22:38:13 | More by Cylinsier

BeerCon5

Pennsylvania

4.03/5  rDev +11%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours a clear, deep brown color with a thin, tan head, very little retention.

The scent is of roasted caramel malt.

The taste is of roasted caramel malt, raisins, some bread, and a noticeable nutty presence.

Medium body, smooth and a little prickly, moderate carbonation.

This was an overall good, easy drinking beer with some nice bold flavors.

Serving type: bottle

01-03-2013 19:57:07 | More by BeerCon5

Darkmagus82

Montana

3.8/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Served on tap in a pint glass

Appearance – Served an orange amber colored brew with a tiny off white head. The head fades almost instantaneously to leave only the tiniest amount of lacing.

Smell – The aroma is sweet and roasted. The sweet is a nice mix of dark fruit and some caramel smells. There is a light spice and nutty aroma as well which mixes with the rest to round out the smell.

Taste – The taste begins with a sweet fruit flavor of some plum as well as a light bready and caramel sweetness. As the flavors advance light spice and nutty flavors come to the tongue. Toward the end cherry flavors enter and seem to get even stronger as time advances. These favors combined with some slight spice flavors as well as an orange peel and earthy hop taste. Together these mixes of flavors take the taste to its end where a pleasant malty and fruity flavor is left to linger on the tongue.

Mouthfeel – The body of the beer is on the just above average in its creaminess for 6.1 % abv with a carbonation level that is rather average. The slightly thicker body gives all the malt a nutty flavors time to linger on the tongue, while the medium carbonation makes it more drinkable and is nice for the fruitier flavors of the brew. Pretty well done.

Overall – A quite sweet and malty winter ale. Nice and easy drinking with lots of flavor.

Serving type: on-tap

01-03-2013 00:52:26 | More by Darkmagus82

thlayli87

New Jersey

2.95/5  rDev -18.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

A - Ruby brown with a one finger head that quickly dissipates into a thin ring. No lacing.

S - Caramel malts, light earthy hops with a hint of nuttiness.

T - Rich Malty caramel with a bit of sweetness and nuttiness. Some beef-like savoriness as it warms.

M - Thin and watery. A little undercarbonated. Fairly light bodied and easy drinking.

O - Average winter brew. The flavors are decent but nothing to write home about. Mouthfeel is subpar and thin.

Serving type: bottle

12-20-2012 20:58:51 | More by thlayli87

tjsdomer2

Illinois

3.45/5  rDev -5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Appearance: Bright red. Low carbonation, but some good foam and lacing.

Smell: Faint scotch. Very nice smell, and pretty distinctive, though not all that complex.

Taste/Mouthfeel: Smoke and cedar. Not a whole lot of peat. Very thin, lot carbonation in the mouthfeel.

Overall Drinkability: There are parts of this I really like, but something seems off overall.

Serving type: bottle

12-19-2012 02:28:29 | More by tjsdomer2

socon67

New York

4.1/5  rDev +12.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Brown pour with an off white foam that is clinging. No carbonation and lacing is patchy.

S - Scent is of scotch, and english malt. Smells a bit like wood polish as well.

T - Flavors of candied fruit, heavy malts, and dry scotch. This is a one tasty brew ot have on a winter night.

M - Sessionable, smooth and leaves a sweetness on the tongue. Might be one of the better winter seasonals that is easy to find.

O - I like the Brooklyn seasonals more and more as I come back to them. Grab a 6'er of this and watch the snow fall.

Serving type: bottle

12-16-2012 20:03:38 | More by socon67

3HovsepiansBrews

California

3.38/5  rDev -6.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A-dark brown with a thin white head

S-some nuttiness and burnt toasty notes

T-nutty flavor at first that segued into a dark fruits and caramel with a clean sweet finish

M-thin body with medium carbonation

O-pretty good brew. Nice as a nightcap for a cold winter's night. One of the better efforts from the brewery.

Serving type: bottle

12-03-2012 01:46:18 | More by 3HovsepiansBrews

BEERMILER12

Maine

3.88/5  rDev +6.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

BB MAY 2013

A: Pours a mahogany color with a fingers worth of light tan head

S: Got some nice maltiness along with a light sweetness and roast. Some earthy hops compliment the sheer maltiness of the nose

T: Again, very malt forward with some sweetness and roast. The hops balance the sweetness nicely. The MO malts keep it rather simple but still nice and flavorful

M: Medium-full bodied with moderate carbonation. Smooth

O: A nice simple winter ale. And one with no spices! Definitely welcome with all the winter warmers and spiced beers this time of the year. If you want a good winter ale sans spices, this is a good beer to try

Serving type: bottle

11-29-2012 00:19:31 | More by BEERMILER12

joefuzz

New York

3.53/5  rDev -2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a very nice deep copper with a decent sized off white head

Smells of bready malts and a kind of english yeast

Tastes almost like a english bitter with a heavier malt profile

Mouthfeel and carbonation are amazing for a sessionbeer

Overall a great suprise for something that was found at 711

Serving type: bottle

11-27-2012 05:48:04 | More by joefuzz

Griff666

New York

3.73/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Overall a good tasting ale, lots of flavor and has its own uniqueness.

Another nice autumn Friday night here in NYC and wanted to try something different. Always been a fan of all the Brooklyn Brewery derivations out there (the ones I have tried anyway, i know i still got a lot to try)and Brooklyn Winter Ale is no exception.

Serving type: bottle

11-24-2012 01:49:22 | More by Griff666

PatriotsRule

Massachusetts

4.63/5  rDev +27.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Excellent take on a Scottish Ale.
A: Reddish with an off white head, decent retention and pretty lacing throughout
S: Malty goodness, some hops and spice
T: Stellar mellow brew, crisp and warming when cool...
M: Smooth city, with a large malt presence
O: Excellent ale which is very much sneakily smooth :D

Serving type: bottle

11-16-2012 02:47:53 | More by PatriotsRule

jono311

Louisiana

3.35/5  rDev -7.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Appearance- dark red, sparkling and clear with ample carbonation and a mild but solid head.

Smell-mild with hints of spices (nutmeg, cinnamon) a bit like the smell of baking christmas cookies.

Taste- nicely balanced, malty upfront with a bit of bittering hop presence and nice lasting but not overpowering finish.

Mouthfeel- a little on the thin side for a slightly malty winter beer but that increases drinkability, imo.

Overall- a fine malty winter warmer with enough spice notes to keep it interesting.

Didn't really pickup on the strong ale characteristics i'd normally associate with a scottish ale but a tasty brew all the same.

Serving type: on-tap

09-25-2012 18:12:10 | More by jono311

VelvetExtract

Massachusetts

3.05/5  rDev -16%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

A-Pours a murky brown color with a nearly nonexistent head. Barely any lacing. Not much to note hereafter.

S-Smells quite malty and dull. Exhausted notes of cocoa. Brown sugar and molasses. Plenty of caramel. Very mild.

T-Mild but a bit better. Consistent cola flavor. Cocoa, molasses and butterscotch. Caramel is consistent. Quaffable but very boring.

M-Lighter bodied. A light creaminess. Tickling bubbles. Not so dry.

O/D-Could be worse. Wouldn't try it again.

Serving type: bottle

09-07-2012 00:05:01 | More by VelvetExtract

DrinkSlurm

Connecticut

3.48/5  rDev -4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Poured from bottle into tulip. Best before April 2012. It also says 6.2%ABV
Pours a deep amber syrup brown. Nice thick amber toned head with some lacing.
Smells of sweet malts, and typical scotch. Taste is like it smells...scotch, sweet malts, some dried fruit aftertatse. Ive had this many times but never really thought of this as a Scotch. Its very drinkable, nice flavors, and good flavors. Shame it is a seasonal...

Serving type: bottle

05-31-2012 23:43:01 | More by DrinkSlurm

MrHurmateeowish

New Hampshire

3.98/5  rDev +9.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

12oz bottle purchased (last one!) from McKinnon's in Portsmouth. Caramel, toffee, and a bit of coffee mix in with some butterscotch in the aroma. Super malty - nut, coffee, toast, caramel, with notes of caramel and coffee. Medium bodied with moderate carbonation. Wow. Spot-on for the style and among the best Scottish ales I've had. Yummy. Can't wait for next winter!

Serving type: bottle

05-24-2012 03:26:01 | More by MrHurmateeowish