Fish Tale Winterfish - Fish Brewing Company / Fishbowl Brewpub

PopeJonPaul

Oregon

2.55/5  rDev -32.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2

I have to say I wasn't impressed with this stuff at all. Judging by all these reviews, maybe I got a bad or infected bottle?

Beer started off well, poured a glowing orange color with a good head and a spicy-sweet and floral aroma. The taste was strange though, only lightly fruity with more bitterness than sweetness, and a thin only slightly malty body. It was definitely spiced up, but the spices seemed "off" (I don't know how else to describe it) and the dry and slightly piney finish turned the spices to ash in my mouth. Honestly I could only finish about half a glass, it seemed like it had been watered down or something. If I see one of these I'll try it again just to be sure I guess.

Serving type: bottle

11-30-2004 04:24:21 | More by PopeJonPaul

Thrasher

Oregon

2.8/5  rDev -25.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

This is a 6 month old sample and it's appalling. The beer has deteriorated -- the chance-y, buttery yeast flavor has breeded with the overly piney hops to create something truly grotesque. Akin to a deep fried pine-tree car freshener. The alcohol burns, badly. Atrocious. I am hoping there is something wrong with this.


Re-review 5/1 Ok this is better. It's not great but at least it's drinkable. Hops are bitter and grassy, almost like stinging nettles. The malts are a bit too smooth, lapsing into a green-apple, butterscotch yeast flavor, but on the whole the beer is not nearly as offensive. The hops are probably the highlight; the rest of the beer ho-hum. Upping the score accordingly.

Serving type: bottle

04-29-2006 03:49:28 | More by Thrasher

Haightfulbrew

California

3.08/5  rDev -18.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Pour: Sunset cloudy orange, produces a thick finger of off-white, determined head, that settles slowly into patches and leaves 360 degree lace.

Nose: Sour lemon, fresh citrus, grapefruit, honey, fresh cut grass, toasted white bread. Hint of fish?

Taste: Starts hoppy. Citrusy, crisp and grassy. Then a millisecond of sweet honey malt, then a big bitter finish. The end of this beer overwhelms everything else. Quite hoppy, to the point of being a bit unpleasant and vegetably .

Mouth: Medium body, with a spritzy carbonation that comes on in the finish.

Overall: Not incredibly interesting. Not sure why this is being called a winter beer. Somewhere between a light IPA and a dry hopped pale ale.

The website says the grain bill is all Pale and Honey Malt. Hops are Chinook throughout the boil, and Chinook to dry hop. This is a dry hopped pale ale, through and through.

Serving type: bottle

12-19-2011 06:43:23 | More by Haightfulbrew

beveragecaptain

New Jersey

3.13/5  rDev -17%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

12 ounce bottle. Fish Tale Winterfish pours out a hazy amber color with small head. The aroma is piney and herbal. Sweet caramel flavor balanced by piney hops. Some lemon iced tea flavor. Tropical fruit flavors too. Nice balance, but I'm not very impressed with the flavor in this beer. Mouthfeel is medium. Very low carbonation. Drinkability is ok. I didn't detect the frsh hop flavors described by other reviewers. Perhaps mine was an older bottle.

Serving type: bottle

01-28-2006 20:45:56 | More by beveragecaptain

womencantsail

California

3.15/5  rDev -16.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Thanks for the tick, Bobby.

A: The pour is a slightly hazy golden orange color with a small scattering if white bubbles. Not really any head formation here.

S: The nose is candied orange peel, sweet citrus hops, and tropical fruit to start. There's a definite spiciness, seems to be ginger, along with some bread.

T: Sweet orange peel and citrus with some miscellaneous fruit notes. It's slightly bitter with a warming alcohol on the finish. A decent enough breadiness, but not really hearty.

M: The body is medium and the carbonation is low to moderate.

D: People seem to keep saying good things about this brewery, but I haven't had good luck with them thus far. This was sort of a weird, spiced, strong pale ale more than anything.

Serving type: bottle

12-09-2010 21:46:15 | More by womencantsail

Cyberkedi

Georgia

3.15/5  rDev -16.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Hoppy aroma has a sour citrus note that has both grapefruit and orange elements plus a woody underpinning. It pours a pretty clear amber with a thick, fine-bubbled white head that leaves some generous lacing. Flavor is hoppy and woody, a little bitter, with more than a hint of fruity sweetness and some citrus. Smooth texture has about average fizz and body. Overall, not terrific, but worthy of a try.

Serving type: bottle

03-04-2012 16:17:33 | More by Cyberkedi

oberon

North Carolina

3.18/5  rDev -15.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Pours a clear deep golden with a thinner than expected head but I will say it did have some staying power,I have to say the aromas were a bit more muted than expected as well some herbal and piney hop but it really dont jump out at ya.Hmm the suprises keep coming an IPA it is but the flavors seem really off quite dry and very earthy with a real alcohol punch in the finish,quite harsh.Very dissapointing I really thought from other reviews it would be better,one of the odder IPA's I have had to date.I'll pass on this if ever given the chance to try again.

Serving type: bottle

12-21-2005 02:47:12 | More by oberon

djeucalyptus

Oregon

3.23/5  rDev -14.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

I've had a few different bottles of this beer, wanting to be sure I'm getting it at it's best. Poured a 12oz bottle tonight into a goblet.

a. Pours a crystal clear golden straw-honey color with a full two-finger bubbly head of a light pink grapefruit hue. The full bubble head faded leaving an interesting crumpet-like lacing with a ring following down the glass.

s. caramel and toffee yet no malt aroma, followed by floral and citrus hops. Marigolds, grapefruit zest, lemons and lillys create a sweet and fruity aroma.

t. Definitely an IPA. An interesting blend of citrus, floral, and pine hops. A bit of toffee sweetness at the front, then a definite hop bitterness in the middle with a solid bitter hopping. Some odd flavors as well - raw turnip, celery, potato and walnut skins. Maybe some yeastiness, akin to mediocre belgian yeasts. Astringent bread and vegetable undertones. (the first bottle I tried this year had the most powerful presentation of these flavors, but all bottles I've tried seem similar... and it does significantly fade as the beer warms. I left some sit to near-room temp and it seems better)

m. Solid IPA mouthfeel... smooth and a hint of creaminess, medium-light carbonation, and a decent balance of pine hop bitter and sweetness on the front of the tongue.

d. Not a bad beer. Definitely more of an IPA than a Winter Warmer, as categorized. Everything is decent except for the oddness that's throwing me in the taste. Maybe it's just me? or maybe this year's batch is slightly off. I don't distinctly remember this one in past years, so i can't say for sure. If you like west-coast citrusy IPAs, it may be worth a shot.

Serving type: bottle

10-22-2008 06:12:12 | More by djeucalyptus

beertunes

Washington

3.23/5  rDev -14.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Served in straight pint glass. Poured a clean, clear copper/gold color, MUCH lighter than is typical for the style, with about an inch of slightly off-white head that had good retention and lacing.

The aroma had a nice spice and malt scent with some hops and yeast floating around in the background. The flavor did not live up to the promise that the aroma made. All the notes were there, but very subdued and calm, especially after the scent made such a big impression.

The body was much thinner that is expected for the style. Drinkability was decent but not special. When I first moved to the area 11 years ago Fish quickly became one of my favorite breweries. Maybe it's my palate changing, but it seems that over the last 5-6 years Fish's brews aren't as noteworthy as in the past. Still, this beer is worth a shot if you see it.

Serving type: on-tap

05-21-2011 21:37:31 | More by beertunes

Phyl21ca

Quebec (Canada)

3.33/5  rDev -11.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

Bottle courtesy of Sammy: Poured a deep slightly orangey color ale with a small foamy head with some limited retention and lacing. Aroma of citrus and bitter hops is mostly dominating without being too strong. Taste is a mix between some sweet malt with a medium bitter finish with some distinctive citrus notes. Body is quite full with some low carbonation. Overall, while this was an interesting beer I thought it was lacking in hops bites for the style.

Serving type: bottle

06-01-2007 15:48:03 | More by Phyl21ca

froghop

Washington

3.33/5  rDev -11.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

pour is a clear amber-orange with a medium size off-white head, good lacing.

smell is tropical fruits, citrus, vanilla, hops, caramel, and some spice.

taste is creamy, light grapefruit, caramel, some sweetness, slight bitter, citrus, some pepper, and some malt, leaves mouth sticky.

Serving type: bottle

12-08-2008 22:42:48 | More by froghop

beerguy101

California

3.38/5  rDev -10.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

2001 release. Light brown color, medium head. Aroma is fruity and slightly sweet. Lightly malty, somewhat hoppy, spicy. Rather dry and somewhat tart. A lighter flavored winter ale. Mouthfeel is full. Finish is dry and clean. Aftertaste is slightly bitter. Interesting beer.

Serving type: bottle

08-14-2003 03:14:50 | More by beerguy101

largadeer

California

3.4/5  rDev -9.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Appearance - Amber with a slight haze to it. Slightly off-white head with average retention.

Smell - Sharp, piney hops with faint bready malt in the background.

Taste/mouthfeel - Bready and malty initially, with hops quickly taking over and pushing any sweetness to the background. Oily, piney hops stick to the palate and provide a long, bitter finish. Simple but enjoyable. Fairly viscous - at 7.5% ABV, it's on the cusp of double/imperial status.

Notes - This is an IPA rather than a winter warmer. It's very much along the lines of Sierra Nevada's Celebration Ale. Not a bad beer at all, but it doesn't stand out in a market flooded with similar beers.

Serving type: bottle

12-06-2007 01:40:24 | More by largadeer

Stinkypuss

Pennsylvania

3.43/5  rDev -9%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Fish Tale WinterFish Seasonal Ale

LOOK: Clear gold with a white soapy film, leaves a ton of lace on the glass. Looking like a well made, sticky IpA style beer.

SMELL: Bready malts, strong earthy hops, some cat pee (not uncommon) and dusty cocoa.

TASTE: Some grapefruit influence, strong bitterness, resinous qualities, and a solid malt body. Alittle citrus, some cocoa, and a bit herbal and tea like.

Serving type: bottle

11-26-2012 23:33:32 | More by Stinkypuss

atigerlife

Hawaii

3.5/5  rDev -7.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured a light hazy brown, looking like apple cider. Light head.

Smell of dark fruit and grapefruit. Taste of hops immediately jumps out. Very dry. Still dark fruit and grapefruit in the taste. Yeasty.

Has a low carbonation. Seems to be lacking a little complexity. Overall, I found this moderately drinkable. Not something I would pursue, but nice to have once in a while.

Serving type: bottle

12-18-2005 06:18:41 | More by atigerlife

Georgiabeer

Georgia

3.5/5  rDev -7.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a dark golden with little head. Smells of apricot and quite sweet- maybe candi sugar? Also apples on the finish. Tastes lightly spiced, someewhat sweet and fruity and with a citrusy hop bitterness on the end. Mouthfeel is slightly slick but somewhat crisp. Eh. Just okay. There are plenty of other great winter seasonals out there for my money. I like this brewery, but I think they've fallen down on this one. Your winter beer should be something special.

Serving type: bottle

12-17-2007 01:45:51 | More by Georgiabeer

MasterSki

Illinois

3.53/5  rDev -6.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

Thanks to bvc for tossing in this local brew. No idea how old this is, but I suspect it's a couple months (being a winter beer and all). Served in my Surly pint glass.

A - One finger of persistent off-white foam but minimal lacing. Slightly hazed dark orange apricot-like color with the occasional tiny bubble rising to the top. Good, but nothing special.

S - Pretty understated nose, with lots of toffee and caramel malts and a few hints of citrus hoppiness. Kind of underwhelming.

T - There's a little more bitter hop kick in the taste, along with some very bready and light caramel malts. Some nice floral notes at the top of the palate. Tastes more like a solid APA - although after reading the description of Winter Warmer, it fits the unspiced English variety with the slightly higher ABV and pronounced malt character.

M - Mild carbonation, medium to full-bodied, lots of residual stickiness. All in all, pretty satisfying.

D - There's nothing that makes it not drinkable, but it's just nothing interesting enough to make me want to have a few.

This brew might be a solid local seasonal, but it's not worth going out of one's way to try.

Serving type: bottle

03-25-2009 00:26:46 | More by MasterSki

terrabyte

Wisconsin

3.55/5  rDev -5.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a clear, light caramel color with a small white head.

Aroma has a pleasant, hoppy smell, bordering on grapefruit citrus.

Flavor has a nice, earthy caramel base. However, it is quite dry with a puckering grapefruit tang.

Mouthful almost seems slightly gritty due to grapefruit taste & tanginess. Medium thickness.

Drinkability is excellent if this is your style. For me, it starts out fine, but seems a bit dry, tangy, thick and sweet to enjoy too much of.

Serving type: bottle

04-20-2007 02:29:16 | More by terrabyte

blackie

Virginia

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

appearance: The fluffy, white head partially recedes after awhile. The beer is a slightly burnished copper color.

smell: There's a good amount of fruity sweetness here...apples, pear, some tropicals (guava? yes, guava). Tame hop presence for the IPA style, but the green leafiness is still nice.

mouthfeel: The carbonation is on the soft side, and the body just under medium.

taste: Slight esters, sweet tropical fruit (mango, for example), a little cidery, and mild hop bitterness. The hops are way too subtle for an IPA. A good tasting beer, nonetheless.

drinkability: good, but not much of an IPA

Another bottle from dirtylou's stash during my stay.

Serving type: bottle

01-02-2006 06:40:30 | More by blackie

Deuane

Pennsylvania

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

A-Bright amber with a thin off-white head that degraded to a thin film that left some lacing.

S-Light piney/peppery hops. Some citrusy notes too. A complex hop bland for sure, but light overall.

T-At first, while cold, I did not like the tatse of this brew. Tatsed a bit "fake" to me. But, to give it a chance I let it warm and I am glad I did....the piney hop essence came through and turned a beer that was almost undrinkable into something fairly enjoyable! That unusual "fake--chemical-like" tatse is still there, lightly in the aftertaste.

M-Medium body with a nice bitter kick. A bit of alcohol coming in at the end.

D-A decent brew...but there is a strange ending(aftertaste) that I do not care for. Classified totally worng, but oh well...I didnt list it!

Serving type: bottle

03-16-2008 23:01:53 | More by Deuane

arizcards

Arizona

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

Picked up a single at Total Wine in late November for $1.99.

Beer poured a murky amber orange with a decent white head that is leaving lacing behind.

Nose is light grapefruit rind and slightly sweet.

Taste is bready malts, slightly sweet, finish with strong grapefruit rind.

Mouthfeel is medium bodied and fairly smooth.

Overall this is a pretty decent beer. Taste does not flow well together though i like the breadt APA malt profile.

Serving type: bottle

01-16-2012 23:25:31 | More by arizcards

Mojo

Alabama

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

This beer pours a cloudy orange/amber with a little sediment observed. (In fairness this bottle might be a little past prime.) The head is minimal and so is the lacing. The smell is subtle with a hint of citrus. Taste is an initial malt with grapefruit overtones giving way to a not unpleasant hoppiness for the finish with no aftertaste. Basically pretty average.

Serving type: bottle

08-14-2012 03:00:40 | More by Mojo

ppoitras

Massachusetts

3.6/5  rDev -4.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

12oz bottle from Secret Santa AKSmokedPorter. Thanks for the opportunity.

Poured into an imperial pint glass, formed a 1/4" beige head above the golden amber brew. Head quickly fades down to an uneven layer of bubbles, and minimal small bubbles of lacing. Aroma is fruity hops with a syrupy malt undercurrent. Taste is similar to the nose, but the hops are a bit moire varied, with pine coming into play a bit as well with the fruit. Bitter alcoholic close. Mouthfeel is alright, maybe a bit on the flat side, and drinkability is okay as well. This one hasn't caused me to run out and find more. But if I happen upon it, I'd give it another chance.

Serving type: bottle

01-21-2006 23:43:53 | More by ppoitras

nvsblman

Arizona

3.6/5  rDev -4.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours an orange/copper color. Slightly hazy from the yeast. Very little head to this one. Citrusy aroma with some caramel and maybe some biscuit notes. Kind of hard to tell, doesn't seem like there is much aroma. Nice crisp bitterness in the flavor. Bready flavor with some somkiness. Dry mouthfeel and lightly carbonated. This is an intestesting beer, I'll have this one again.

Serving type: bottle

09-22-2006 16:52:36 | More by nvsblman

RedDiamond

Oregon

3.63/5  rDev -3.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Winterfish is a seasonal winter warmer whose pale and honey malts impart a brighter, golden color to the brew in contrast to other, darker winterbräus. In fact, the color is near copper. This may not be entirely traditional, but Winterfish’s festive overtures are intact with abundant fruit and notes of melon in both the nose and flavor. The taste also speaks of nutmeg with just a touch of alcohol and is punctuated in the finish by crisp, sensible bittering.

Nothing in Winterfish is overstated. It is proudly brewed “in the Republic of Cascadia” with Yakima Chinook hops and leaves behind a lacy tailing of foam on the glass. When served from the bottle, this beer is highly particulate. Pour it slowly to maximize clarity.

Serving type: on-tap

02-19-2005 02:42:11 | More by RedDiamond