Brooklyn Winter Ale - Brooklyn Brewery

Arborescence

Finland

3.75/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance: Dark ruby. Pours a medium head, creamy but airy; recedes quickly.

Aroma: Malt, currants and spices, some burnt toffee and a hint of alcohol.

Taste: Rich and very malty, not that much anything else that's discernible. Tastes almost stronger than it is, could easily be 8% ABV. The malt dominates too much perhaps, but then again I think that's what they were going for...

Mouthfeel: Medium to full bodied, smooth.

Overall: Warming, nice British style winter ale (they claim Scottish roots for this beer). Not particularly complicated, but it delivers what it promised.

Serving type: bottle

05-22-2012 20:45:37 | More by Arborescence

chinchill

South Carolina

3.78/5  rDev +4.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

12 oz bottle dated BB April 2012 served in a snifter.

Appearance: Pours a clear, reddish-mahogany with a modest and short-lived off-white head. Light lacing.

Smell: Subtle aroma of caramel malt and brown sugar with vague grain backdrop. Stronger and more appealing with some warming.

Taste: A nice, if rather simple, malty flavor. Hints of caramel, brown sugar, and multi-grain bread. A subtle hop contribution that's lightly spicy and woody with a mild bitterness.

Mouthfeel: Medium-light body. Smooth. Well-chosen medium carbonation. Slightly dry finish.

O: A well-crafted brew that seems reasonable to label "Winter Ale", but that veers from typical Scottish Ale in the direction of a brown ale. Fine session beer, if the 6% ABV is kept in mind.

Serving type: bottle

04-23-2012 23:28:30 | More by chinchill

kylehay2004

Florida

4.35/5  rDev +20.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A: thick 2.5 finger off white head with nice retention and lacing on a murky amber with garnet hues body.

S: caramel and toffee malts with a confectioners chocolate note. Overall full and sweet.

T: sweet caramel malts throughout with a finish of mild herbal musty hops. Rye and nutty notes intermixed.

M: medium body and moderate carbonation. Buttery and rich.

Overall: A nice example of the style. Drinkable with a nice malt presence. My rating is based on its representation of the genre and drinkability combined.

Serving type: bottle

04-22-2012 22:43:53 | More by kylehay2004

KeshiaM

New Jersey

4.15/5  rDev +14.6%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

This beer pours a clear, dark amber color with a two finger head that lingers a bit. It leave a ring around the surface and some lacing.
It smells strongly of malt, brown sugar and candied fruits. As it warms you can pick up a sweet alcohol in both smell and taste that seems to improve the beer. Definitely one to savor.
Taste is rich and malty, though unfortunately it lacks a hop base which might round out the sweetness of the beer but it's a minor complaint.
Mouthful is smooth and with pleasent carbonation. There's a kind of molasses, chewiness to it. Again something to savor.
Overall it's one of my favorite 'winter' beers and well worth a try.

Serving type: bottle

03-22-2012 00:14:41 | More by KeshiaM

biboergosum

Alberta (Canada)

3.83/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

12oz bottle. Winter = Scottish? Nae, I say! (Or maybe change the name?)

This beer pours a clear, dark copperish amber hue, with two fingers of fizzy, tightly foamy beige head, which leaves but a few random specks and arches of wasting lace around the glass as it duly recedes.

It smells of caramelized toffee, some crisp gingerbread, a wee bit of besotted fruit, and a mild air of noble earthy hops - rather inviting, to say the least. The taste is sweet, but in somewhat tempered manner, the dark bready malts, brown sugar, and overripe fruitiness barely offset by some roasted nuttiness, mildly herbal hops, and subtle booziness.

The bubbles are a bit tingly, but generally all right, the body a decent medium weight, and slightly afflicted by a flinty edge that muddies up any idea of straight ahead smoothness. It finishes a lot closer to the dry side - earthy, leafy hops stepping up to support the persistent alcohol warming, amongst a more or less steady crystal maltiness.

A tasty enough brew, lots of satisfyingly hearty sweet bits, and none too complicated for warding off the lingering eponymous (for now) seasonal melancholy.

Serving type: bottle

03-21-2012 02:00:09 | More by biboergosum

160Shillings

North Carolina

5/5  rDev +38.1%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Aroma: The aroma is full of strong malt; caramel, roasted and rich floor malt, also includes faint esters and surprisingly very faint alcohol as well.
Appearance: Pours with a tan head that collapses into a fine bubbled ring. The color is very dark copper.
Flavor: The flavor begins with sweet malt, caramel and roasted notes. The body is surprisingly full for a beer that the label says has only 6.1% abv, it almost seems sticky sweet. However that is a deception since the palate soon becomes dry and shows full attenuation. The bitterness is appropriated, but does not linger. The finish is unexpectedly dry, short and abrupt. It’s not the finish one would expect from an ale that begins so very rich and sweet. It leaves you easily ready for the next swallow and even the next beer. The esters suggest dark fruits, for those that think they are wine connoisseurs, for beer zealots it tastes like a great Scottish ale.
Mouthfeel: The mouthfeel is medium bodied with medium-low carbonation, without lingering.
Overall Impression: This Scottish ale is everything it should be and nothing it shouldn’t be, a true benchmark for Scottish ale.
Comments: Thank you Garrett Oliver! Brooklyn’s Winter Ale is a wonderful example of Scottish ale. The web says this beer is 6.0% abv, however my bottle says 6.1% abv. The nominal strength is half a percent lower than guidelines for a Wee Heavy, but 1% abv more than an 80/- Scottish Export. All things said, Winter Ale taste like a Wee Heavy. Most importantly it avoids the two most common failings of American craft-brewed beer. First, it’s not too hoppy. Most American craft-brewers, especially those on the west coast, use far too many hops, even in beer styles in which it would be inappropriate. Second, Oliver doesn’t use whisky malt in this beer. Almost every other example of American craft-brewery’s Scottish ale uses this peat smoked whisky malt. This is simply inappropriate for a true Scottish ale. It is Scottish ale, not Scotch whisky. I can’t think of a better example of an American craft-brewed Scottish ale.

Serving type: bottle

03-03-2012 02:11:22 | More by 160Shillings

Crazyale

Virginia

3.75/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

12 oz bottle poured into a pint glass. Bottle says best before April 2012, and the code indicates that this was bottled on 10/3/11, so this is 4.5 months old.

A: This beer is the color of Earl Grey tea, and is quite cloudy with lots of bubbles. Half-finger head dissipates to nothing almost instantly.

S: Sweet malts are dominant on the nose, along with bread, caramel, butter and a little tea.

T: Very sweet tasting malty beer, but the sugar is not overpowering. The alcohol is very well masked. I can't taste any hop presence at all, and would've liked just a touch of bitterness to balance it out. I'm not sure if a fresher bottle would contain more bitterness or not, but I'm guessing that it wouldn't make too much of a difference due to the style.

M: Very easy drinking. Despite the absence of a head, it is appropriately carbonated. There is a lingering aftertaste that's not really pleasant or unpleasant - sort of a maltiness that just hangs around on the tongue for a long time.

I'm not a huge fan of the style, but Brooklyn does a good enough job with this one. I wouldn't want more than 1 or 2 of these though, and ideally would pair it with food.

Serving type: bottle

02-15-2012 04:52:15 | More by Crazyale

Jason

Massachusetts

3.25/5  rDev -10.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

12oz brown bottle with a freshness date.

LOOK: Dark amber, healthy looking lace.

SMELL: Buttery toffee, over ripe fruit, toasted dark bread, faint alcohol, herbal

TASTE: Buttery, smooth, dry toasted bread, nutty, husky, faint roasted malt, herbal hop, fallen fruit, warming esters, semi-dry finish

The yeast has certainly made its mark on this brew, bit of a butter bomb ... the core maltiness is secondary. If by chance I have this one again perhaps it would go better paired with a hearty stew or a sharp cheese to contrast.

Serving type: bottle

02-10-2012 03:08:34 | More by Jason

RyanLigeia

Massachusetts

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

A clear brown color that resembles dark maple syrup with a small whitish head that doesnt last very long or leave much evidence of a head behind. Some visible carbonation as well.

Smells like its gonna be a nice smooth drinker. Sort of sweet, malty, some caramel and brown sugar. Not a very potent aroma, thats the downfall.

Taste is a little stronger than the smell would lead you to believe. It also has some spice in the flavor that the nose doesnt really showcase so that was a surprise. Other than that it has those caramel malty sweet tastes that almost has a little bitterness at the end.

Heavier side of medium body with a high level of carbonation that makes it seem a little lighter and more crisp.

Overall this is a good beer. The availability is nice but its nothing outstanding, the price could come down a tad.

Serving type: bottle

02-08-2012 05:24:56 | More by RyanLigeia

Metalmonk

North Carolina

4.15/5  rDev +14.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Firm dirty-white head, fluffy and creamy, sitting on top of a reddish rust-brown liquid. Lace streaks the glass in wild little strings.

Total comfort-beer aroma. Toasty, lightly smoky, a bit peaty, and dabs of succulent dark fruit, especially big on fig.

Lots of flavor here, just nothing that hits you over the head. And why should it? Equal parts peat, smoke, toffee, fig, grape, clover honey, and less identifiable sweet spices. This is impeccably balanced. And delicious.

Love how the feel is at once super creamy and generously carbonated. Almost stretches it into the realm of a Belgian dark ale, as many of those achieve this same kind of magic dichotomy, texturally.

Goddamn this is good! Not that I should be surprised, Brooklyn is usually pretty quality in whatever they do. Just don't overlook this if you're generally geared toward bigger beers, like I am, because this has plenty of flavor and pizazz. It's definitely worthy, and I'm glad I bought a 6-pack.

Serving type: bottle

02-06-2012 23:22:23 | More by Metalmonk

Sam21

Connecticut

3.18/5  rDev -12.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Best by April 2012 inked onto neck. Poured into pint glass.

Appearance - Copper body with a tan head that exhibits commendable retention. Sparse lacing.

Smell- Rich sweetness that's a mix of caramel, sugary fruit, and a hint of spice.

Taste- Malt-centered and juicy. Up front, sticky caramel and spiced dry dark fruit swamp the taste buds. The finish is sweet and long. Malty sweetness hangs around and adds a juicy quality to the finish.

Mouthfeel- Medium bodies with smooth carbonation. This beer strikes a good balance between the extremes and has moderately juicy qualities.

Overall: A smooth winter seasonal with enough character to stand
up to hearty stews and meats. This beer is both pleasant and warming for those chilly winter nights. The simplicity of it makes it appealing.

Serving type: bottle

02-06-2012 22:35:35 | More by Sam21

JamesS

Indiana

4.4/5  rDev +21.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured a very nice deep brown with very nice head and good lacing throughout. Nice deep malty scent, very heady and thick with some nice earthiness in the nose. Good flavors, a very thick malty flavor with a bit of biscuit and a bit of roastiness in it. Went down quite well, very smooth.

Serving type: bottle

02-03-2012 18:49:29 | More by JamesS

kangarooAdam59

Connecticut

3.99/5  rDev +10.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Into a pint glass (also had in a borrowed nonic, nothing changed):

A: brown colored body with some light reddishness around the edges of the beer, the creamy colored head is small, lacing is spotty and ringy, it leaves a thicker foamy look where it is sipped

S: malts, toffee, and there is just a bit of caramel in the background

T: sweet through previously mentioned flavors

M: medium, sessionable, the aftertaste and finish has a bit of alcohol and toffee in it

O: this is good to me and for its style

Serving type: bottle

02-01-2012 20:49:56 | More by kangarooAdam59

Ruds

United Kingdom (England)

3.43/5  rDev -5.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured from bottle to Engliah half pint pot to a mahogany brown colour, red tinges when held to the light and a small white/beige head

The bottle stated 6.1% ABV on the lable, not the 6% listed above!

A malty aroma greets the nose along with caramel and light hopping

In the taste, malts, a little dried fruit, caramel/toffee and a little alcohol especially in the finish

Mouthfeel is of a medium bodied beer with moderate carbonation and fairly drinkable and smooth

A decent enough beer from Brooklyn but not one I'd be desparately seeking again!

Serving type: bottle

01-29-2012 10:03:49 | More by Ruds

drabmuh

Maryland

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

At the time of this review, this is the #42 top Scottish Ale, served in a New Belgium globe glass.

Beer is dark amber with a mild haze, thin lazy tan head of small bubbles, low carbonation no lacing, looks fine.

Aroma is malty, sweet, a little bready, smells exactly like a scotch ale.

Beer is medium in body, not as sweet as the aroma would imply, it is a little bitter, dry on the finish, oddly peaty on the midpalate, decent, I like it, probably not a repeat though.

Serving type: bottle

01-24-2012 04:08:52 | More by drabmuh

david18

New York

3.08/5  rDev -14.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

I had a draft of this at the Amsterdam Ale House on Manhattan's Upper West Side. It was ok for a "Winter"/"Scottish" but neither is my favorite style. In general a little intense on the flavor characteristics without enough of an alcohol backbone.

Appearance was a dark reddish brown, good dark head that did not go away to quickly.

Aroma was of dark fruit, very intense but quite unbalanced.

Flavor was similar to the aroma. If I'm going to drink a beer this intensely flavored I usually expect a little more alcohol warming.

Overall a beer worth trying. Just didn't blow me away.

Serving type: on-tap

01-23-2012 20:32:11 | More by david18

nhindian

Pennsylvania

4.03/5  rDev +11.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12oz bottle poured into a Brooklyn tulip.

A - Pours a burnished copper with ruby highlights which culminates into a 2-fingered, frothy, tan head. The head retention is nice, and as it fades it leaves streaks of lacing. Residual lacing lasts until the end, with a thicker ring near the top and rogue streaks spattered haphazardly elsewhere.

S - The aroma brings an undeniable Scottish influence, as the malts bring a caramel smell first and foremost. It is slightly fruity and bready as well, with a dried-fruit quality and hints of raisins and tobacco. Overall it's somewhat sweet, and the breadiness comes across as shortbread.

T - The taste continues the sweet profile, but it's kept in check with the earthy hops. The malts once again shine here, as caramel, brown sugar, and a little grain take over the beginning of the flavor. As it opens up and develops in the mouth, the hops add an earthy, woody, leathery quality that seems to fit in nicely with the Scottish landscape Brooklyn Brewery was trying the paint here. The intermittent fruit in the form of apples, pears, and raisins helps the flavors pop that much more.

M - Mouthfeel is light-bodied with medium-low carbonation. For how malt-friendly this beer is, it balances it with a light, airy mouthfeel that makes this go down quickly. The finish is dry and semi-sweet, with an impression that draws you towards that next sip.

D/O - Drinkability is moderately high. To be honest, I didn't read up on this beer before drinking it and was expecting another run-of-the-mill, overly spiced winter warmer. What I get instead is one of the best domestic, readily-available Scottish ales I've tasted to date. It's malty, yet somewhat balanced and brings to the table a wonderful flavor.

Serving type: bottle

01-23-2012 04:07:56 | More by nhindian

RonaldTheriot

Louisiana

3.88/5  rDev +7.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Brooklyn Winter Ale has a thin-to-medium, beige head, and a clear, reddish-orange appearance with lots of streaming bubbles and minimal lacing. The aroma is faint, but one does pick up some slight breadiness and maybe Cherrios. Taste is mild and pleasant, with sweet barley, Cherrios, relatively light hop bitterness, and red grapes. Mouthfeel is medium, soft, and fluffy, and Brooklyn Winter Ale finishes easy drinking, pleasant, and semi-dry. Overall, this is a good, if not great, winter ale, and I recommend trying it.

RJT

Serving type: bottle

01-22-2012 16:19:00 | More by RonaldTheriot

J23hc

New Jersey

4/5  rDev +10.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pint glass, reddish body, lots of bubbles, not much head. Big smokey nose with a hint of sweetness, some olive oil. Really wet and crispy with some bright cherry. A little fruity sourness toward the end, like a strawberry would give. A little hop bite, carbonation scratches the palate gently, and the burnt flavor just backing it all up

Serving type: bottle

01-21-2012 01:29:48 | More by J23hc

Scotchboy

Idaho

3.55/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

An extra received from Aaron, poured into a Stella Artois glass. BB date on the 12oz bottle says April 2012.

A: Slightly hazy brown with hints of burnt copper...light head lacing fades fast.

S: Remarkably malty; toasted grains, bread, caramel, smoked malt, oak, peat, and smoky earthiness...not much hopping or spices, maybe some light grassy notes.

T: Follows the nose, very bready malt bill; toasted rye bread (sans the spiciness), caramel and lots of oaky notes, almost to the point of tasting like vanilla, with an underlying smoky earthiness. Almost non-existent bitterness.

MF: Creamy and medium bodied. Light carbonation.

O: A decent Scotch. I'd prefer more hops and spices and bitterness to level this one out, 12oz of this was almost too much.

Serving type: bottle

01-17-2012 13:35:13 | More by Scotchboy

jneiswender

Massachusetts

2.95/5  rDev -18.5%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

had this beer from the 12oz bottle. Served cool. Dark amber color and a nice creamy head. Smell lightly smoke (peat). Metallic and woody. Taste is not what I expected. No spice. The combination of malts gives an earthy quality to this. Thick on the tongue and drinkable but not something I would really seek out as a winter pick. Might want to save this as a food beer with Scottish fare. Not as a "winter warmer" like beer.

Serving type: bottle

01-15-2012 17:43:42 | More by jneiswender

TheBrewo

Michigan

3.38/5  rDev -6.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

This brew was served on draught at The Distillery in Victor, NY. The brew arrived in a house pint glass, and showed a deep brown, maroonish color. There was a light film of a head the color of rust over the beer that stayed throughout. The carbonation appeared average, and no sediment was noted. The aroma was steely and souring with grain up front. There were also notes of lactics, booze, and cherry and fig sweetness. On the way back here was some licorice, and more souring cherry. As we sipped, sour grain and fermented strawberries hit first. These were quickly followed by caramels and coffees, but these were faint, mixing in with lighter grain. The middle allowed for the alcohol to come in, warming the grain bill. The malts continued here, and were wet and salty, with a clean barley. This worked to set a nice base for the finish, which came in stronger with booze and a very prominent cherry flavoring. There was slight hop character on the back, presented as dirty and earthy. The aftertaste breathed of peppery booze and tart grain, with caramel sweetness, and a wet bitterness. Steely grain and obvious barley were also noted. The body was full, and the carbonation was medium. The mouth is coated with a metallic slickness, each sip gave a decent smack and nice froth, and the palate is ultimately cooled. The abv is appropriate, and the beer drank somewhere in the middle.

Overall, what we found most enjoyable about this brew was the fruity qualities to the flavoring. This beer was great for the season, but less so for the style. A Scottish ale should be darker, with more booze and caramel, and to this point we were disappointed. The grain also had an interesting sour bite that we would have liked to see elaborated on, or at least more cleanly integrated with the rest of the flavoring.

Serving type: on-tap

01-14-2012 23:10:45 | More by TheBrewo

NiceTaps

New Jersey

3.88/5  rDev +7.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I had this on tap at a NYC bar just recently. I asked for a craft seasonal and the barman did not hesitate. A good sign.
A-dark amber,reddish brown color with a creamy two-finger head that held up. It looks hearty.
S-malty, spicy and fruity. A nice blend that did not overpower.
T- malts up front with a hoppy finish. A little fruit backround. Very good.
M-Rich and full without heaviness. Lingers.
O-Drinkable for sure, I thought of my next sip while the flavor lasted on the palate. The Scottish Ale qualities are evident. I'll look
for more.

Serving type: on-tap

01-14-2012 14:26:32 | More by NiceTaps

smakawhat

Maryland

3.63/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured from the bottle into a nonic pint glass. Best before April 2012 we are off and running!

An off tan head almost creamy in appearance, makes about 2 fingers of foam to rest on a real nice copper red body. Body also has some cola large sticky bubbles, and some VERY faint rising carbonation in the middle. Head seems to settle nicely, looks good.

Nose is a nice toasty malt, sense of dense yeast a little bit. Somewhat warming slightly not too bad. Quite nice.

Taste is kind of crisp and somewhat rich. Light crispness texture with dark malts with a bit of a wet palate. Tastes very much like an Irish Ale in many ways. Nice aftertaste as the malts sort of linger a bit, some good grass sense.

Overall, pretty good, nothing crazy but certainly decent.

Serving type: bottle

01-10-2012 23:39:47 | More by smakawhat

Shagtastic

Indiana

3.58/5  rDev -1.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

I really enjoyed this beer. Its a great wintertime beer that would be awesome on a cold night. I was expecting a little heavier on the body but I was pleasantly surprised at how thin and easy to drink it was. This is a beer I'd come back to again in the right circumstances.

Serving type: bottle

01-10-2012 18:35:48 | More by Shagtastic