Cabin Fever Winter Ale - Boundary Bay Brewery & Bistro

jreitman

California

4.38/5  rDev +10.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Dark brown in color with a red hue. Head was off white and faded fast after a frothy start. Fruity, floral hop aroma was most evident. Initally all I tasted was hops and a slight sweetness, but after the first few sips, the caramel and fruit character started to show through. Everything was in perfect balance. Finish was slightly dry with a good hoppy bite. A very well brewed beer.

Serving type: bottle

04-19-2003 13:46:22 | More by jreitman

aracauna

Georgia

2.83/5  rDev -28.9%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Dark ruby brown with white head that disipates quickly. SOme caramel, hay, alcohol, mild hop bite, weird sour fruitiness (prunes) that I've smelled in some other beers. Not as big in the taste. Less than impressive and a bit watery.

Serving type: bottle

01-03-2003 00:42:39 | More by aracauna

DaftCaskBC

British Columbia (Canada)

4.22/5  rDev +6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: 1/8" tan head over cloudy brown liquid.

S: Vanilla, cinnamon and caramel malt.

T: Vanilla and spicy hops up front and a finish of citrus, cinnamon, caramel and some chocolate.

M: Medium viscosity and a medium level of carbonation.

O: A nice usage of hops in this winter ale.

Serving type: on-tap

11-23-2011 00:11:02 | More by DaftCaskBC

davidexactitude

Washington

4.7/5  rDev +18.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

My all time favorite winter ale.

Every year I anticipate it's release and every year I am satisfied. It's a classic winter ale perfectly balanced: not too heavy on winter spices and the alcohol is not overpowering (unlike some winter ales). Enjoy this ale with a variety of foods, winter foods especially: stews, potpies, etc. Cabin fever is also one of the only BB beers, that I feel, retains its flavor to the fullest when bottled, so you can enjoy it on tap or 22oz. It will keep you warm and happy.

Serving type: on-tap

02-01-2011 02:31:22 | More by davidexactitude

barleywinefiend

Washington

4.38/5  rDev +10.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A: Poured a dark brown with good carbonation and a tannish heasd

S: Nose is spice, malt, and a touch of caramel.

T: When it comes to a Winter beer this is it!Some spice, chocolate, booze, lots of malt, booze. A nice citrus burst on the end.Enough to keep you warm and wanting more.

M: Well carbonated, medium body, booze is sharp

D: Oh so good

Serving type: on-tap

10-31-2010 23:35:14 | More by barleywinefiend

blackc5

Washington

4.1/5  rDev +3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Had this on-tap last night with dinner. Went great with the slow-braised lamb shank.

A - Pours a dark and deep brown - served with only a slight head. Very nice lacing however.

S - Very sweet and malty - caramel and molasses with plum and cherry. Some vanilla undertones as well.

T - Quite pleasing with a meal, this paired perfecting with the hearty lamb. It is sweet, but not cloying, and the malt really stands up nicely to the spice and dark fruit flavors. Just a hint of smokiness adds to the complexity.

M - Medium body with low carbonation. Very smooth and silky on the tongue, especially as it warms.

D - A greatly balanced beer that fits the style very well.

Serving type: on-tap

02-22-2010 06:30:45 | More by blackc5

flagmantho

Washington

3.9/5  rDev -2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Had a pint of this on-tap last night at the Hooverville in Seattle.

Appearance: extremely deep amber brown with no head. Looked like a pretty solid malt bomb kinda beer.

Smell: appealing malt bomb aroma but for all that rather light. It could have been the rather cold service temperature, but even as I drank it the aroma never really picked up.

Taste: big, fruity, caramelly malt. Hints of plum, dates, cherry. Sticky. Plenty of noticeable alcohol but still good.

Mouthfeel: medium heavy body. Sticky, chewy, syrupy, but ultimately rather satisfying.

Drinkability: pretty damn good for a beer of such relative heaviness. I quite like it indeed.

Serving type: on-tap

02-12-2010 17:50:36 | More by flagmantho

RedDiamond

Oregon

2.83/5  rDev -28.9%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5

For many years the arrival of Cabin Fever was a highly anticipated event on the Northwest beer circuit. It still is. And I was lucky enough to be in Bellingham on the first day of its release this year. I drank a pint at about 7pm. By 9:00 the bar was sold out.

I remember this beer from years past as exhibiting far more character and excitement than the beer I drank at Boundary Bay. This year my Cabin Fever emitted harsh, medicinal fusels and was somehow disappointing. The undercarbonation didn't bother me, though it didn't help. The beer was dark cinnamon color with no head or lace and had a nice spiced ending that seemed appropriate. But the harsh alcohol elements were a problem and the beer looked and tasted like it was past its prime, even on its first day of release. Disappointing. And a quick glance shows more recent reviews coming in with lower scores than in years past.

Serving type: on-tap

11-10-2009 01:17:24 | More by RedDiamond

midaszero

Washington

3.3/5  rDev -17.1%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Asked a sample at Naked City and got handed a full pint so I figured might as well review it.

A - Cloudy amber with very little white head and lacing

S - Very sweet and malty nose

T - Very malty with some spice to it. Classic winter warmer

M - Medium body with medium carbonation

D - Ok. Easy to drink but only kind of enjoyable

Serving type: on-tap

02-28-2009 19:07:29 | More by midaszero

erikm25

Washington

4.1/5  rDev +3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A: Poured into a pint glass at Brouwers. Nice hazed heavy gold with darkened crimson and tangerine hues. Seemed a little lighter but everything around me was dim so it was pretty tough to tell exactly. I probably should have paid better attention but I was with good company. Head was minimal as expected but still some reasonable lacing.

S: Aromas are very potent. Fresh green herbs, toffee, and citrus grapefruits. Fruits and brown sugar.

T: Great balance between smoky malts and a bittering hop finish. Heavy on the caramel with some dark fruits in the backdrop. Roasted, sugared, and spiced but with a great hops vibe happening throughout. Even some subtle raisin and what seemed to be chocolate tastes.

M: A decent medium, almost full, bodied beer. Great carbonation.

D: Notes taken from New Year's Eve. Started my evening and dinner off with this and was very impressed. Only had one pint since there were other things I wanted to try but I would love to get a growler (if possible) of this down the road.

Serving type: on-tap

01-10-2009 23:24:56 | More by erikm25

beertunes

Washington

4.5/5  rDev +13.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured into straight pint glass at the brewery. Poured with less than 1/4 inch of head, the bartender knows this is how I prefer it served. The head left a solid, sticky lace. A typical for the style, deep brown with a very slight reddish tint. A sweet aroma with spice and hop notes. The flavor follows the aroma closely. A very strong malt foundation carries the spice and hop flavors to the back of the tongue. Very solid and comfortable body. Very drinkable, but use caution because this beer will smack you upside the head if you don't pay attention to it. This beer is slightly hot when brand new but smooths out after a few weeks. If you get a chance, make friends with this beer.

Serving type: on-tap

01-09-2009 21:29:40 | More by beertunes

ccrida

Oregon

3.03/5  rDev -23.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 2.5

Pulled from the hand pump at the Parkway Tavern, Cabin Fever is a murky dark chestnut with a small, large bubbled off-white head that leaves light lace.

Smell is soft sweet malt, some caramel, also something that smell unmistakably to me like a dish rag - at least it's not the old mildewy variety, more soapy.

Taste is a kind of a generic malty strong ale, I have to say I was expecting more from Boundary Bay from their Winter cask ale. I guess the soapiness is the hops, and their are really no off flavors, but I'm not loving it either. Swishing it around looking for more depth just opens up some fusels.

Mouthfeel is very smooth, thank you very much for cask conditioning this ale. It also keeps the body light, but the ABV dries it out.

Drinkability isn't too high. Cabin Fever drank stronger then it actually was. Not a lot of character, a bit hot, probably the first from Boundary Bay I've been disappointed with. Quickly glancing over the other reviews before I started mine, I sense I will be skewing the score, which I have not problem with honestly doing, but would perhaps attribute my experience to a cask that is no longer fresh??

Serving type: cask

01-07-2009 02:01:11 | More by ccrida

Viggo

Ontario (Canada)

3.7/5  rDev -7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at the brewpub, visited with my pal Dan in Bellingham. This went perfect after a couple PBR's and a long walk, and would start off the most drunken night I've had in a long time.

Pours a hazy reddish brown, very thick off white head forms, settles down to a thin layer, leaves some solid lace rings on the glass. Smell is nice, sweet and caramelized, malts galore, some bread, brown sugar, light floral, dark fruit, quite nice. Taste is caramel, brown sugar, alcohol, light chocolate, flora, very malty, not too bad but a little one dimensional. Mouthfeel is medium bodied, almost syrupy, low carbonation, with some warmth. Pretty solid winter warmer, nothing to brag about but I could put down a few of these when its cold out.

Serving type: on-tap

02-22-2008 21:31:05 | More by Viggo

bodybyadam

Washington

3.9/5  rDev -2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Enjoyed this one is 5oz sampler at Winter beer fest 06. This was the 06 brew.
A: Dark brown in color with 1" foamy head with slowly rolling carbonation.
S: Strong caramel malt nose, later to notice the roasted aroma as well. Can already tell the flavor will be complex.
T: Wow this is sweet, and that caramel malt jumps out at first but then the complexity comes to a more roasted flavor, and then the taste of many types of malt hitting my palate at once.
M: This thicker winter ale is chewy and thick, but in the end a wonderful blend for a smooth finish.
D: My 5oz sampler wasn't enough to tempt my palette. I had to get another. Not to do a second review but I also had an aged 05 bottle at the event that was pleasant but I much rather preferred the younger one. This is one of those winter warmers that you’ll want to enjoy all afternoon. Don't go anywhere afterwards because the higher ETOH may impair walking. Enjoy.

Elbows Up,
Adam

Serving type: on-tap

12-28-2006 18:01:28 | More by bodybyadam

BDTyre

British Columbia (Canada)

4.33/5  rDev +8.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Nice, full flavoured winter warmer. The colour is a bit on the reddish side, but otherwise this is a nice shade of ruby brown.

Nice, rich malty smell with a bit of fruit zest in the background, likely from the hops. Sweet, almost syrupy notes. Traces of toffee, sweet butter and brown sugar. Certainly no end to variety of subtle flavours in this one.

Nice mouthfeel, good body. Not too heavy, and the carbonation is just right. Very yummy brew; I should have picked up a bottle or two.

Serving type: on-tap

12-21-2006 07:02:32 | More by BDTyre

xoqx

Washington

4.33/5  rDev +8.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This is the 2006 Cabin Fever, released in November, 2006. Had it on tap at the Celtic Bayou in Redmond, WA.

On draught, this beer was a cloudy garnet brown color with a tan head. There was light to moderate head retention and medium-heavy lacing on the glass. The smell is of a very floral dry hopping; excellent aroma. The taste is finely balanced between spiciness and toffee malts with a clove undertow, and a bitterness revealing both spicy and floral hop tastes. There is a medium long finish and there is a warming effect from the alcohol. This is one the hoppiest winter warmers I've had and I really enjoy it - very drinkable.

Serving type: on-tap

11-19-2006 00:10:25 | More by xoqx

carln26

Missouri

4.13/5  rDev +3.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This beer pored a dark hazy amber color with a thin head. The nose has malt in the form of toffee, a slight fig profile. Taste is a rich amber ale. Toffee peanut brittle, a little citrus finish. There is a bit of bitterness and alcohol on the finish. No heat, just a tang. The beer is a little muddled, but has a rich mouthfeel. Good drinkability. I like winter warmers with a nice hop profile, and this beer, while having more malt than hops, still displays the hops well.

Serving type: on-tap

01-15-2006 20:48:58 | More by carln26

Zraly

Virginia

4.05/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Holy moly.

This beer is aromatic alright. It's good-looking, too. The head appeared to be beige and the brew itself was a dark brown-red color. My better half said "It looks like the color of Coca-Cola". I think that is accurate, actually.

The smell is strong. The taste is strong. The herbalness of this ale really shines and comes across with a predominant grapefruit note. Layered around the citrus is the flavor of evergreen and alcohol. The finish is dry and bitter, and it warms your insides in an instant.

We entertained this drink with a hearty roasted onion and garlic bread followed by a spicy-ass gumbo. Oy!

Serving type: on-tap

12-30-2002 23:51:47 | More by Zraly

freed

Oregon

4.22/5  rDev +6%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Sweet Jesus this is an aromatic beer. Had a pint of cask conditioned last night, and halfway through it my saliva glands had gone dry.

This beer has a wonderful fresh hop aroma. Aroma might even be too subtle a word for it. It was a powerful smell, obviously it had been dry hopped. The pint had a hazy golden hue, nice head, and it left a foam lace on the inside of the glass. There may have been malty flavor, but it was absolutely trounced by the combination of bitterness and bright hop flavor. It was a very good beer to drink in glass, as I had trouble making my mouth swallow the last couple sips. Halfway through I noticed the effects of alcohol, but didn't actually taste it while drinking.

Also, don't start with this beer. You'll need another hop monster afterwards if you even want to taste it. It dominates your palate.

Serving type: cask

12-28-2002 12:12:36 | More by freed