Full Sail Wassail - Full Sail Brewery & Tasting Room & Pub

warmstorage

Georgia

1.58/5  rDev -58.7%
look: 2 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 1.5

I can't believe I'm drinking the same beer as other people, or the same beer as I've had in years past, for that matter. This beer is, in a word, lame. And sad. And pretty close to tasteless.

Serving is from a 12 ounce bottle. Apparent "best before" dating of 042506 on bottle, and 13:14 (bottling time?) This and the new label design are what correct me when I wonder if I somehow got a bottle that has been hiding on a warm shelf somewhere for several years.

Poured into a beer clean pint glass. Almost no visible head, what existed was light colored and dense and soon gone.

Aroma is slightly matly, slight hints of roastiness. Zero hop or fruitiness or spice in smell. Same things goes when it has warmed beyond cellar temp, to full room temp.

Color is thin brown, or deep amber. Average to slightly high carbonation. Mouthfeel is thin and fast and fleeting.

Taste is like a slightly tangy brown ale. Zero hop presence noted. Slightly sweet, again it's like a light bodied brown ale. There is some sort of very slight zing to it, which suggests it will deliver more, and then just doesn't. Some note of alcohol, but nothing to rescue it. Tastes like a lot of boring homebrew I've had. Taste changes little as it warms. Totally underwhelming beer.

Like a boring English winter warmer: like something cut out of the Samuel Smith winter warmer cloth, but if possible, even more boring.

Wow -- I would never buy this one again. Very, very disappointing, after interesting versions of this beer I've had in years past, and after their label describes it as "ridiculously tasty winter ale." Blah!

Serving type: bottle

12-03-2005 06:11:48 | More by warmstorage

RosieT

California

1.63/5  rDev -57.4%
look: 2 | smell: 2 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 1.5

I tried this ale in early December 2008, primarily on the basis of its high overall ratings. It was well within its "drink by" date of 2/09.

The "wassail" was a murky reddish-brown, had low carbonation, and a short, quickly-disappearing head. The taste was somewhat bitter (not "hoppy bitter", just bitter), and a bit funky -- there was a very slight "moldy" taste overlaying the hops -- and the finish was unpleasant and sharp.

Tastes vary, of course, and it's possible that the ale I drank was a "bad batch" or had been stored incorrectly, but the "wassail" was not for me!

Serving type: bottle

12-14-2008 15:55:01 | More by RosieT

champ103

Texas

1.9/5  rDev -50.4%
look: 2.5 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

A: A dark ruby color, almost a Bloody Marry look to it (find of odd I think). No head forms at all, and no lace. This was after a very aggressive pour. Again, kind of odd.
S: Some roasted malt and light fruity hops, but mostly that enoying veggie aroma that is present in several of Full Sail's beer's. I find that almost detestible.
T: Same as the nose, a bit more bitter though. That veggie taste does not agree with me at all. Its like somebody put tomatto juice in my beer. Again, think of a Bloody Mary.
M/D: Medium to full bodied, not bad here. The 7% abv does not really show, but there is no reason for me to want to drink this.

I am not a big fan of Full Sail I guess. This is not the first time I have detected the veggie character in one of there beers. I am suprised I am the only one compenting on this asspect. Oh well, Full Sail beer's are just not for me.

Serving type: bottle

04-18-2008 00:59:41 | More by champ103

nathanho

Washington

2.35/5  rDev -38.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.5

Brown amber with almost no head and little carbonation - unremarkable. Smells like rootbeer, tastes like bland rootbeer and malt liquor...ok, not that bad but the taste is very flat with some spice as an afterthought. Mouthfeel isn't offensive but you wouldn't know you had a beer in your mouth...maybe like cold, watered down au jus? I did finish a six-pack, but only because that's all that was left in the fridge. Just wait 'til nex year?

Serving type: bottle

12-03-2005 22:04:24 | More by nathanho

kojevergas

California

2.38/5  rDev -37.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

7.20% per my bottle, acquired yesterday at Trader Joe's. Enjoy by: 04/02/13. 12 oz brown glass bottle with standard pressure cap served into a Uinta pilsner glass in me gaff in low altitude Los Feliz, California. Reviewed live. Expectations are above average; this brewery is usually mediocre but I like the style quite a bit.

Served straight from the fridge. Side-poured with standard vigor as no carbonation issues are anticipated.

A: Pours a two finger khaki colour head of nice cream, pretty good thickness, and good retention for the fairly high ABV. Body colour is an understated ruby-amber. No yeast particles are visible. No bubble show. Transparent and somewhat translucent.

Sm: Very pleasant toasted malt is dominant, with some typical winter warmer spices in there as well - nutmeg, cinnamon, maybe even cilantro. I'm not great at identifying spices, but it's well balanced in that regard. Amber malts. Some minimal floral hopping. An average strength aroma. I'm excited to try it. No alcohol or yeast comes through.

T: Amber/toasted malt foundation. Some floral hopping. Minimal spices are impacting the flavour; disappointing. Simple and imbalanced. A bit stale. Built underwhelmingly. Why brew this?

Mf: Off. Weird artificial candy smoothness in some places and strange coarseness in others. A bit metallic. Dry on the finish, to its detriment. Weirdly thick. Carbonation is adequate. Just artificial all around; it bothers me.

Dr: Drinkable but pretty crap for the style. Another forgettable brew from Full Sail. Still, it's a decent offering at this price point. I wouldn't bother with it again. Hides its ABV well.

D+

Serving type: bottle

11-09-2012 06:43:06 | More by kojevergas

SWMeyer4141

Texas

2.5/5  rDev -34.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Poured into a tumbler...

Appearance-Pretty dark brown, with some red hues. Darker then other WW's I've had. Head is an off white, almost brown. Some little lacing and retention.

Smell-Extremely subtle spices, and very subtle malts. This may be too cold right now and has to open up a litle bit. As it gets warmer it's still prety bland, some hops come out.

Taste-Ehh, kind of a mess. At first there's some sweet malts but something taste's awkward about it. It then turns into a kind of sourness along with some hops that just don't taste fresh. A tad bit of vodkaish towards the end. The more I drink it kind of taste's like soap.

Mouthfeel-Very thin, no body at all. Carbonation is there, but I wish there was more to eliminate this soapiness.

Overall-Not a tasty beer, don't buy it.

Serving type: bottle

11-13-2011 20:36:56 | More by SWMeyer4141

BB1313

Ohio

2.55/5  rDev -33.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5

12oz bottle poured into a standard pint glass. Pours a very dark brown, similar to Coke/Pepsi. Little bit of foam w/ nice lacing. I don't know what to say, I don't smell too much. Malts and grains are in the mix. There's a very subtle spice aroma and it's subtle in the taste as well. Pretty bitter, not much sweetness going on. Mouthfeel is alright, lots of carbonation, fizzy, smooth. Drinkability is average, not much going on to keep my attention. Boring beer.

The big problem was the the aromas and flavors are very bland. This really isn't an interesting beer, although it's well crafted.

Serving type: bottle

01-21-2011 01:44:16 | More by BB1313

JDV

Texas

2.58/5  rDev -32.6%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Deep clear maroon pour with a beige head. Slightly skunky malt smell to it, with a taste of some dark toasty tart malt. Unusual flavor for sure. Not particularly good, but also not bad. Drinkable, and gets a bit better as it warms to me. Light char and burnt notes, and despite my low rating, this is worth a try for its uniqueness.

Serving type: bottle

03-15-2008 19:03:07 | More by JDV

elgiacomo

Georgia

2.6/5  rDev -32.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

12oz bottle, unknown date.

Pours thin dark brown with a one finger light beige head. Leaves some sheets and spots of lacing and holds only a wispy cap and ring.

Aroma and flavor are kind of hard to pick up on, some sort of odd astringent maltiness, some sweetness and spice on the tongue.

Medium bodied, medium carbonation.

An odd brew.

Serving type: bottle

12-20-2010 04:43:25 | More by elgiacomo

jcalabre

California

2.63/5  rDev -31.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2

I originally sampled this beer on 4 December 2002. I am writing this review from my notes.
This brew has a nice malty nose. What really ruined it for me was the astringent aftertaste. I may try it again next year when it's out, but this was a big disappointment. You win some, you lose some.

Serving type: bottle

08-08-2003 03:12:12 | More by jcalabre

JK4Stout

Virginia

2.65/5  rDev -30.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 2 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2

Poured into a pint glass.

A- This is one good LOOKING beer. It is a rich mohoghany color with just the right amount of head.

S- The smell kind of leads you to know what to expect here. Very spicy arome. A blend of clove, nutmeg, and hop that isn't too offensive.

T- Here is where they lose ya. It seems this beer is spiced hard just for the sake of being spicy. That takes away from the taste sadly.

M- Here we have a good medium to high bodied beer. Goes down smooth, but not as smooth as it could. (see taste)

D- Not very much here. It was worth a try, and the price is capatible, but I just think as far as christmas beers go this one is WAY down there.

Serving type: bottle

12-14-2010 17:28:32 | More by JK4Stout

elNopalero

Texas

2.65/5  rDev -30.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

This has the appearance of foamy soda, very bubbly and caramel-brown colored. Not much aroma comes through. The flavor is all out of wack. There’s a harsh clove taste to it that dominates, and a sharp finish. It manages to be bitter without any hoppiness. Next year I’ll pass.

Serving type: bottle

12-08-2011 20:44:21 | More by elNopalero

NuclearDolphin

Minnesota

2.75/5  rDev -28.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

Poured into a 12oz Pilsner Glass

Appearance - Dark Red/Crimson that borders on being opaque Black. Pours a 2 fingerhead that leaves behind some decent lacing.

Smell - Burnt and Roasted Malts with hints of Chocolate, Yeasts and fruity notes. There's also a distinct apple scent thrown in as well.

Taste - It starts off with a very sweet fruity note, but finishes off with a bitter aftertaste. Burnt Malts are also pretty strong, perhaps a little too strong, as well as yeasts, spices and the mild fruity notes. Okay as far as flavor, but the burnt malts offset the flavor a bit too much.

Mouthfeel - Body is on the heavier side, which is normal for this type of ale. The carbonation is a bit too much for this type of beer.

Overall - Had the burnt malt flavor and carbonation not been as strong, I would've loved this beer. It does start out promising, but in the end I felt disappointed and felt that this could've been better; There are better Winter Warmers out there than this

Serving type: bottle

11-12-2011 00:37:34 | More by NuclearDolphin

RJLarse

Washington

2.8/5  rDev -26.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

I spotted a six-pack of Full Sail Wassail at a grocery store, and picked it up on a whim. I poured this beer in to a pint glass.

Pours a dark walnut color and is clear, with a red hue when held up to the light. A decent eggshell white head forms, and produces good lacing on the sides of the glass while drinking.

The smell hoppy, with evergreen fragrances, and a mild sweet malt aroma.

The taste is sharp, bitter and acerbic. There is a charcoal flavor along with some bitter hops.

Mouthfeel is OK, a bit cloying, and the sharp flavor makes the mouthfeel a bit zippy as well.

This beer is drinkable but, but only for one or two at a time. The flavor is sharp, and overpowering. It's like a dark roasted IPA.

Serving type: bottle

12-10-2006 02:16:23 | More by RJLarse

ccrida

Oregon

2.8/5  rDev -26.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

A translucent, dark purplish chocolate color, with a thick, creamy tan head that quickly dissipated and left a slight, sticky lace. A fairly sweet, piney aroma dominates, joining roasted malt and alcohol. The taste is malty, with burnt toast and sweet spruce, finishing with a strong bitter taste and warmth of alcohol. The body leans towards thin and boozy, with very little carbonation. Overall I found the aftertaste a bit too acrid to make the Wassail that drinkable, even more so if you serve it strait from the fridge.

Serving type: bottle

02-03-2007 05:18:40 | More by ccrida

jordanmills

Texas

2.88/5  rDev -24.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Pours thick brown with a moderate amount of head. Smells of a little malt, a lot of hops (something piney in there), a trace of spice (maybe allspice and a dash of cinnamon?). I swear it's almost as hoppy as an IPA. The finish is a little longer and smoother, but with some alcoholic bite. It's not bad to drink, though I think a winter warmer should be maltier and not as hoppy - I couldn't drink more than a couple.

Serving type: bottle

12-20-2006 03:54:56 | More by jordanmills

beckje01

Minnesota

2.88/5  rDev -24.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

A- Deep ruby color with a quarter inch of creamy head.

S- Some malt upfront with nice spices there too.

T- Creamy malt start leading to a small spice kick.

M- Thin with some carbonation tingle.

D- Easy and only 6.5% so it seems to low in my taste for a winter warmer just doesn't do its job.

Serving type: bottle

04-23-2007 18:58:02 | More by beckje01

Bagman007

Texas

2.88/5  rDev -24.8%
look: 2.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

Served in a bottle poured into a pint glass.

A- Pitch black dark coloring with a little bit of head.

S- Very sweet and hoppy. You can definitely smell the spices with a little hint of malts.

T- Initially a sweet taste quickly followed by a dry, hoppy finish. Tastes similar to a Pale Ale.

M- Very dry and bitter feel to it. A little tingly, but overall just not a very good feel.

D- Would not have more than a couple in a sitting. Very dry beer.

The beer did not really taste as I expected it to from the smell. It has a sweet smell, but the taste is not really sweet at all. Way too dry for a Winter Warmer. Not a terrible beer, but there are easily better seasonal's.

Serving type: bottle

12-18-2008 04:41:23 | More by Bagman007

HardTarget

Texas

2.9/5  rDev -24.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2

Bottle Inspection: Nice art on label, notes best before 04 11 06 (enjoyed 02 13 06), 6.5% abv. and a brew force of 47.

Aroma: Nice light malt, tea, a little butter, and some grassy hops.

Appearance: Deep brown glass shows clarity when backlit. Head falls to a respectable light cover and laces nicely.

Flavor: Hops come out in the taste right away. They are a bit grassy with some pine notes and fairly well balanced by caramel malt. The finish is a bit slick and bittering leaving a strong hop taste to chew on for a bit.

Mouthfeel: Medium heavy body, oily texture, medium low carbonation level.

Overall Impression: Not bad. Much hoppier than I expected and that cut down the drinkability for me personally. The tea flavor was a bit much as well. Just didn’t blow my sail, but you should give it a shot, at least once.

Serving type: bottle

02-14-2006 06:31:17 | More by HardTarget

NorCalYeti

California

3/5  rDev -21.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

taste- sweeter beer, malty, slight hop bite

color- roasted amber

clarity- clear

smell- slight roasted character

body- medium, rounded, soft

appearance- light off-white head, active carbonation

overall impression- average

notes- not very complex and lacking interest, doesn't strike me as a winter beer. this review is for a 2008 vintage

glassware: pint

Serving type: bottle

10-17-2009 21:45:29 | More by NorCalYeti

Immortale25

Florida

3.01/5  rDev -21.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 3

Poured into a Sierra Nevada pint glass. No readable freshness date.

A- Pours a deep, dark brown that's somewhat opaque with a 1/2 inch off-white head that loosens and becomes an 1/8 inch ring around the edge of the glass. Neat constellations of bubbles on the surface and likewise-patterned lacing.

S- Roasty and somewhat alcoholic. Also a tad sweet-smelling with some spice notes in the back.

T- Heavy onset of roast that slips into a rubbery, boozy gutter and does not recover. No hops, no spice, no balance. Just strange.

M- Sharp twangs from the alcohol on the tongue and in the back of the throat. Dry with medium carbonation.

O- I don't know if this is what a true "Wassail" is supposed to be like, but this just does not agree with me.

Serving type: bottle

02-12-2012 03:15:08 | More by Immortale25

TexIndy

Texas

3.05/5  rDev -20.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Poured from a 12oz bottle into a pint glass. Best by date lasered onto the neck. It was a russett brown color. Some sticky lacing. It had an average sized off white head that settled into a broken film with a collar.

The aroma was subtle. Sweet toffee malt with pine hops. Decent but weak. The flavor was stronger. The hops were more pronounced than the malt which was reverse of the aroma. Didn't really enjoy this one. Had a strange taste to it and too bitter in the finish. Winter Warmers are not one of my favorite styles and this one followed suit.

Overall, not a good beer for me. Wrong style and taste issues. One and done for me.

Serving type: bottle

02-25-2009 01:02:29 | More by TexIndy

aracauna

Georgia

3.08/5  rDev -19.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Nice color, deep, deep red-brown. The head is average size and dry and sandy looking. The aroma is warm malt and is a bit spicy. The flavor is less malty than I would have thought with the appearance. A bit sour in the finish. Coriander? The mouthfeel is a bit fuzzy.

Serving type: bottle

01-12-2003 00:42:32 | More by aracauna

paulthebeerguru

Florida

3.1/5  rDev -19.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A- poured into a Duvel glass. Color is dark ruby/rich mahogany. Head is a light brown that dissipated rather quickly.

S- I love the esters in this, brown sugar, toffee, light bananas and toasted pine nuts.

T- well-balanced blend between the malts with a great hoppy finish. A little tart, that reminds me of bing cherries.

M- not the best winter warmer but not bad either. Leaves the mouth warm, which is probably due to higher alcohol content.

D- this beer is definitely drinkable, but it isn't outstanding. Honestly, I expected more from Full Sail's winter brew. Better than most, but could be better.

Serving type: bottle

11-24-2007 21:00:17 | More by paulthebeerguru

tchenery

Virginia

3.1/5  rDev -19.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

Beer has a nice slightly off-white lacing head to it. The body is a deep russet color with hints of red hues.

It smells of all dark malts. I'm picking up amber malts, crystal malts, caramel malts, and on the tail end there's a bit of cranberry or cherry or some other holiday fruit.

Very malt forward beer. Wow, this one is thick. It is almost chalky. It tastes much like it smells except maybe with a bit of chocolate in there. It doesn't seem like they use spices like other winter warmers do.

Chalkiness takes away from the mouthfeel and drinkability of this brew.

Serving type: bottle

11-14-2010 01:25:06 | More by tchenery