Thomas Hooker Nor'Easter Lager - Thomas Hooker Brewing Company

jondeelee

Massachusetts

3.1/5  rDev -8.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Nor'Easter smells of spices, apple pie, and Christmas. The brew does contain "mild apple pie spices"--though the brewer's website says "mild winter spices"--and there are definite touches of allspice and clove in the nose, as well as a healthy dose of brown sugar, and a fresh bread/pie crust malt aroma.

On the tongue, the apple pie spices come out in full strength, bringing not only the aforementioned allspice and clove tones, but cinnamon as well. The malts bring a further apple-like fruitiness, as well as bread-like notes and brown sugars. Hops are barely noticeable over the malts and spices, despite the brew having three different varieties of hops, and mainly exist as a slight tingle at the edges. The aftertaste is mainly apple, bread, and spice, and lasts for a while. Mouthfeel is medium-light, and carbonation is medium.

Overall, the beer is good, and definitely lives up to the apple spice flavors noted on the packaging--i.e. if you're not into flavored brews, this one is not for you. It would, however, go excellently with a big bowl of vanilla ice cream and a roaring fire.

Serving type: bottle

07-31-2011 03:49:26 | More by jondeelee

PoppyParthenonE

Connecticut

3.75/5  rDev +10.6%

05-04-2013 02:10:05 | More by PoppyParthenonE

mckowned

Connecticut

3.25/5  rDev -4.1%

03-08-2013 01:56:20 | More by mckowned

NYR_Rob

Pennsylvania

3/5  rDev -11.5%

01-14-2013 01:29:34 | More by NYR_Rob

Knapp85

Pennsylvania

1.85/5  rDev -45.4%
look: 1.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 1.5

This one poured out as a deep orange color with a cream colored head on top. The retention is completely gone withing a few minutes and there is zero lacing. Very bland looking. The nose is a little spicy with some hints of apple pie or cinnamon. The taste is strong with a spice kick upfront followed by some malt sweetness in the finish. The mouthfeel is decent, nothing too special. Overall the more I drink the more I don't care for it. I got this in a mixed case from a friend and pretty glad there is only one bottle to get through. I wouldn't seek this one out again.

Serving type: bottle

01-07-2013 23:48:00 | More by Knapp85

neil2me

Connecticut

3.25/5  rDev -4.1%

01-03-2013 03:13:39 | More by neil2me

FrankL66

Connecticut

4.75/5  rDev +40.1%

01-02-2013 11:51:05 | More by FrankL66

KTCamm

New Jersey

3.6/5  rDev +6.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a 12 ounce bottle (part of a six-mix) into a pint glass.

Pours medium amber with quick foam. Very little trace left. Deep rich malty nose. Taste is a rich caramel malt, modestly sweet. Very mild bite bitter at the finish, but more sweet than not. Easy drinker winter for sure. If anything, maybe a touch too sweet.

Serving type: bottle

12-25-2012 16:03:31 | More by KTCamm

THEGENERALISMO

3/5  rDev -11.5%

12-03-2012 22:57:16 | More by THEGENERALISMO

WDJersey

New Jersey

3.5/5  rDev +3.2%

11-24-2012 09:34:44 | More by WDJersey

abcdefghijkyle

New Jersey

3.25/5  rDev -4.1%

11-20-2012 07:56:56 | More by abcdefghijkyle

anelson86

4.75/5  rDev +40.1%

11-18-2012 22:43:18 | More by anelson86

mikeg67

New Jersey

3/5  rDev -11.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

12 oz bottle. Pours dark amber with a short lived off-white head. Aroma is of bready malt, hops, hint of spices and baked apples. Body is full, slightly crisp. Taste is caramel, cinnamon, earthy hops, baked apples and cherries. Finish is long, earthy. Not very tasty, but easy drinking, for holydays brew.

Serving type: bottle

11-12-2012 03:01:24 | More by mikeg67

cortez

Massachusetts

2.75/5  rDev -18.9%

09-12-2012 05:14:34 | More by cortez

chrispoint

Connecticut

2/5  rDev -41%

06-01-2012 16:52:36 | More by chrispoint

mdebonee

Connecticut

4/5  rDev +18%

05-31-2012 18:36:54 | More by mdebonee

griffey123

Connecticut

2.75/5  rDev -18.9%

05-06-2012 14:27:56 | More by griffey123

mrskunk

Connecticut

3.5/5  rDev +3.2%

04-13-2012 23:14:00 | More by mrskunk

jsboates

2.75/5  rDev -18.9%

03-11-2012 13:42:14 | More by jsboates

mkondor8

Connecticut

3/5  rDev -11.5%

02-26-2012 16:12:41 | More by mkondor8

PeteRiz

Connecticut

4/5  rDev +18%

02-15-2012 18:36:55 | More by PeteRiz

rusty3335

Massachusetts

3/5  rDev -11.5%

02-08-2012 23:03:57 | More by rusty3335

tempest

Pennsylvania

2.83/5  rDev -16.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Grabbed a bottle at Euro Market. The bottle date says it's about 3 months old. Well, the spice certainly hasn't died down here. It reminds me of the same spice profile of Southern Tier Pumking, heavy on clove and nutmeg. Unfortunately I think I'm also pulling a light sour note of this from infection.

I gotta say I'm not crazy about this beer. It's all spice and I'm not getting much (or any) barley and hops. There's a little caramel malt as it warms, but the sour lemon is also growing. Pass.

Serving type: bottle

02-05-2012 01:21:44 | More by tempest

rsant

Connecticut

2.5/5  rDev -26.3%

02-02-2012 04:26:49 | More by rsant

steveslow

Connecticut

3/5  rDev -11.5%

01-30-2012 04:40:45 | More by steveslow