Winter Warmer - Lancaster Brewing Company

Gandhified

Pennsylvania

2.4/5  rDev -36.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

Poured a nice dark amber color with a small tan colored head. Smells malty, with fruity undertones... maybe raisin? Little to no hop presence detected in the nose. Mouthfeel is thick. Tastes malty, sweet, little to no hop bitterness. I don't think I could or would want to drink more than one of these. The high alcohol content is well hidden by the malts though. Overall an ok beer.

Serving type: bottle

12-15-2008 19:32:20 | More by Gandhified

jjboesen

Maryland

2.7/5  rDev -28.4%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

This was one of a dozen beers (4-ounce pour) tasted at a recent Winter Beer event. Initial head was thin and quick to dissipate. The minimal lacing was splotchy and unstructured.

While the dark copper color provided minimum clarity, there was little in the way of smell. I found the taste somewhat flat and lacking - and some what dissapointing. The mouthfeel showed some balance but little structure

There are probably many reasons for this poor sampling; I am not familiar with the beers of Lancaster Brewing Company, so this experience will not be used as total judgement. I would gladly try this beer againg under different circumstances, given previous reviews. Beer is a cruel master at that.

Serving type: on-tap

03-10-2008 00:57:43 | More by jjboesen

ZeroSignal

Pennsylvania

2.73/5  rDev -27.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

12 oz bottle

A - Dark brown pour, about half an inch beige head with decent retention, lacing is minimal and wispy

S - Malty nose; sweet and fruity with an almost metallic edge to it.

T&M - Medium full bodied brew; malty, caramel flavor with what feels like high acidity. Warmth from the alcohol in the front of the mouth and clean in the finish. On the negative side, feels a bit watery, and at times has an almost soapy taste and feel.

D - The flavor combos just don't do it for me. The overall flavors and feel are off to me. I'm glad I only have a single bottle.

Serving type: bottle

12-26-2010 04:32:29 | More by ZeroSignal

mptorpey

Delaware

2.73/5  rDev -27.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

A: Dark brown with rich white head

S: Very Malty at fist with a roasted nut hues in the background. Some carmeal and oats to finish.

T: Smooth med-light beer with low carbonation. Mostly a roasted malt and cerial taste.

M: Somewhat ligh for a winter warmer style beer with a hight ABV, but a nice full long finish with malt and light nut.

O: A very steady beer that is easly drinkable but wuold expect a more robust beer for the style.

Serving type: bottle

03-05-2012 07:33:03 | More by mptorpey

LordHammer

New Jersey

2.75/5  rDev -27.1%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 2

Poured from a 12oz bottle into my Norther Brewer glass.

A: A beautiful deep red, bordering on mahogany. Pours with a small tan head that fades to a lace which stays all the way down the glass.

S: Some subdued malts and spices, but an overwhelming scent of alcohol. Hope this isn't as boozy as it smells.

T: Sweet malty presence, then very prominent alcohol in the flavor. A bit of spice and hops at the close, but nothing really significant here. Gets better as it warms and things balance out a bit.

M: Predictably thin, as you would expect for the ABV, with low carbonation.

D: One and done here. I had a few sips, then waited about 20 minutes for it to warm, then it was drinkable. Definitely don't want another for a few days.

Serving type: bottle

02-23-2009 20:14:40 | More by LordHammer

yelterdow

New Jersey

2.88/5  rDev -23.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

A friend of mine brought this over tonight as a birthday surprise... part of a mixed sixer of holiday brews. Thanks, breeze... this one comes straight from the brewery itself.

Served in a Duvel tulip at just over fridge temperature, over the course of about 45 minutes.

Appearance- Deep caramel brown with slight reddish highlights, the head rising far above most "old ales" I have sampled. Even when still for several minutes, the thin but firm mat does not break or separate. There is a wonderful presence to this beer, and I can't wait to dig in.

Smell- Divine. Old, sweet, candied dark fruit, vanilla, and sugar blend seamlessly with leather and old books... I am amazed that Lancaster has created such an awesome nose for a Winter seasonal. This is what I love about tasting and rating new, unfamiliar beers... you never know when a blockbuster will surprise the shit out of you. As the beer approaches cellar temperature, a dark, sweet, malty character comes forth.

Taste- Spicy, vanilla laced malt notes take center stage, with a strange, cloying oversteeped tea backdrop. This started off so good, I hate to see it crumble before my taste buds. There is definitely a problem with the structure here, because the aroma would have you believe that a sweetness would follow up with big, candied malts and a mild bittering finish. Instead, the beer turns completely tannic and unpleasant in the mouth... to the point where I cannot go on.

Mouthfeel/Drinkability- Blah, nothing to enhance the flavors or overall experience of the beer. Almost completely nondescript, and fleeting.

This is the second time that a Lancaster brew has completely bombed in a tasting... the first being their Four-Grain Pale Ale. Maybe it's because of the all-natural ingredients... they might spoil rapidly. I remember really enjoying this beer last month, in a snifter, reading Garrett Oliver's book "The Brewmaster's Table". But tonight it flopped, a victim of who knows what.

Never have I rated a beer so highly on sight and smell, to have it dive below average on the Big Three categories. I am disappointed and sad for this unfortunate reality.

Serving type: bottle

12-30-2005 05:48:29 | More by yelterdow

jzeilinger

Pennsylvania

2.89/5  rDev -23.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 3

A - Pours a dark chestnut burgundy color with a thin, but consistent creamy layer of caramel colored siky foam.

S - Figs, prunes, raisons, mild roasted caramel and chocolate. Decent but a little weak for a beer of this magnitude.

T - A little nutty but mostly dark fruit - figs, prunes, raisons, sweet roasted caramel finish is unobtrusive and leaves a moderate coating of dark fruit on the palate with a light pine bittering. However, kudos to the brewer for doing a nice job of hiding the alcohol which also makes this a little dangerous since it can't be detected and it will creep up on you pretty fast if you're not careful.

M - Very light medium body and way too thin for a winter warmer.

O - The ABV is there for a Winter Warmer but too wimpy on the flavor and mouthfeel for my liking.

Serving type: on-tap

02-07-2013 00:24:16 | More by jzeilinger

KYFriedChildren

Pennsylvania

2.95/5  rDev -21.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

-From 2009 Notes-

Bought a sixer of this at Capone's in Norriton, PA.

-Appearance- Poured a super dark brown color into a pint glass. Had kind of a thin dark creme head on top. The beer settles and soon the head disappears to only a ring.

Smell- Very boozy, kind of got the dark fruit thing going. Very figgy as well. Little overpowering on the boozy-ness even more so than is expected for it's ABV.

Taste- Boozy and figgy once again. Emphasis on the booze. It doesn't taste bad but it's not smooth and goes down a little too hot. Can't drink too many of them.

Mouthfeel- Thin, too thin for my liking. That's about all I can say about it.

Drinkability- I don't love the beer. I have to be honest. It's a bit too boozy for me and it burns a bit going down the pipes. Couldn't and probably wouldn't drink more than one or two.

Serving type: bottle

10-09-2010 07:17:14 | More by KYFriedChildren

Minkybut

Virginia

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

I poured this beer into my tumbler at 50 degrees. The beer was a nice mahoganny color with a tan head and fine tiny bubbles. The beer smelled really spicy and had a hint of toffee taste and Christmas spices. The beer was a little sweet and had a right tuff alcohol after burn. I think you should try it but I will most likely not buy again.

Serving type: bottle

12-27-2007 15:18:07 | More by Minkybut

tone77

Pennsylvania

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

Poured from a brown 12 oz. bottle. Has a dark brown color with a small head. Smell is of malts and caramel, slightly sweet. Taste is also of malts and caramel along with alcohol. Feels medium bodied in the mouth and has average drinkability. Overall this is a decent beer but nothing great.

Serving type: bottle

11-24-2009 00:07:25 | More by tone77

mikereaser

Pennsylvania

3.2/5  rDev -15.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A - pours a deep borwn with a slight off-white foam

S - slight hints of caramal malts and spices, but not much to speak of

T - sweet malt and the alcohol, nothing too amazing or flavorful here

M/D - There wasn't alot of flavor in this one, definitely wasn't what I was expecting. I guess I was expecting some more spices and flavor. I'll have to pass next time.

Serving type: bottle

03-24-2009 17:32:14 | More by mikereaser

assurbanipaul

Texas

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

Pours a dark oaky brown with a thin tan head. Aroma is rich, spicy malts with some raisins, dark fruit and a hint of cocoa. No date or year; I assume this is from the past winter season.

Taste is dark, roasty malts and spice. Nice bready flavors of spice cake, pumpernickel, some chocolate, more raisins and burgundy. Fair amount of cola and chocolate malt elements, good in a stout, probably more than I'd like in a seasonal.

Mouthfeel is light for a winter warmer, which would be medium for most other beer. Easy to drink, a mere hint of the alcohol in the aftertaste. A good beer, a beer I'd drink again, but not a great beer.

Serving type: bottle

06-30-2005 02:09:43 | More by assurbanipaul

GiantMidget

Pennsylvania

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

Bought at a Wegmans in King of Prussia PA.
I live near Lancaster brewery and intend to get out there sometime soon.

Poured into a 12 oz tulip glass.
Little to no head.
Looks like a Dr. Pepper, even has the slight scent of it as well.
Although one that is heavily spiked with alcohol.
I notice scents of licorice, fruitiness (raisins/plums) and maybe clove.

These flavors also fill the mouth upon the first few sips. The alcohol taste is very present, I wish they had masked it better. But the combination of all of the other flavors do an OK job of making it worthwhile to drink.
Definitely a sipper, not a session beer IMO.

It has a good full bodied but not overly carbonated mouthfeel, and holding it in does allow a full chance to feel the flavors.
A good 'cold night by the fireplace' beer.

Serving type: bottle

01-03-2013 01:06:55 | More by GiantMidget

RblWthACoz

Pennsylvania

3.3/5  rDev -12.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3

The beer off the pour looks great. But the flavor profile is way, way too malty sweet. No balance whatsoever. Some people might dig this interpretation of the style, but I can't say that I really do. It just doesn't work for me. And I personally don't think it fits to style. Too sweet with not enough accent to keep it interesting. I suppose you could age it to see what happens.

Serving type: bottle

03-27-2013 04:21:50 | More by RblWthACoz

mooseisloose

Florida

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

Kind of off base drinking a "Winter Warmer" when it's 75 degrees outside, but hey, I'll give it a whirl. Smells of red licorice and nutmeg with a hint of cinnamon. Pours to a deep translucent reddish brown. No real head to speak of. Taste is well balanced at the start, then sweet and very tangy in the middle with a sharp bitter almost acidy finish. Mouthfeel is tremendously thick and chewy. AC is evident but not overly so. I like the taste in the beginning and end but it finishes a little harsh for me. My choice would be to dull out the bitterness at the end.

Serving type: bottle

01-11-2009 18:42:15 | More by mooseisloose

jwc215

New Jersey

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

Pours clear light to medium brown with a thin head that immediately becomes a disappearing patch.

The smell is caramelish and nutty. Slightly fruity, with a touch of alcohol.

The taste is of lightly spiced dark fruits - figs and dates. It's malty and sweet with a touch of estery alcohol.

Medium-bodied, it has something rather astringent about it.

A sipper due to noticeable alcohol and slight astringency. Well- it's a winter warmer for sure, but aroma and flavor don't seem to reach their potential fullness.

Serving type: bottle

12-16-2007 14:59:28 | More by jwc215

WissBrauSean

Pennsylvania

3.38/5  rDev -10.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5

The beer poured a beautifully clear red mohagany with a fine tan head that is slightly clingy and has some attractive lacing for how thin it is. It dissipates and stays a nice thin ring around the glass with a small Friar Tuck cap in the center.

I opened this bottle at 45 degrees. I instantly from the bottle smelled alcohol. It is to be expected. The most noticeable aroma was of the malts and slight yeast. As the beer warms up some others join the party like figs and maybe banana. The alcohol is mildly noticeable in the aroma and if there are any hops they are barely noticeable.

Sweet malts carry you throughout the sip and along the way you will get some roasted malt flavours, a bit of figs, maybe some cherry, you will definitely taste caramel nearing the end as well as a nice hazelnut type flavour. At the very end of the drink there is only the mildest of hop character, just enough to make you thirsty for another sip! I do taste alcohol on my breath after the sip is over. It's not unappealing, just noticeable.

The mouthfeel is surprisingly medium. It's sweet and smooth, but not as heavy as I would think. The carbonation is light, thankfully. And the beer eventually finishes a little dry and peppery with faint hops. It's pretty much overly sweet and not balanced well, but that is a description of the style now isn't it?

Serving type: bottle

02-21-2013 01:17:22 | More by WissBrauSean

iceviper22

Pennsylvania

3.4/5  rDev -9.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Had this on tap at Lancaster Brewery and bottled. It pours a nice deep brown to dark reddish color with a one to two finger head that fades quickly. It has an aroma of biscuits with some hints of caramel or toffee.

The taste is similar to the smell in that it has a very biscuity, maltyness, with some notes of caramel and toffee to sweeten it up just a bit. Little carbonation helps give it a nice winter warming mouthfeel.

Overall it is a prettty decent brew along with the rest of Lanaster's lineup. I would drink a few of these.

Serving type: on-tap

11-26-2007 15:01:36 | More by iceviper22

bigeyedfish

Pennsylvania

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

12 oz bottle with no freshness date poured into a pint glass. The bottle is humorous- brewed by Lancaster Brewing Company, Wilkes-Barre, PA. Gets a laugh from the locals.

Pours a pretty dark burnt redish/brown body with one half to three-quarters a finger of head which stays for a split second and vanishes. Minimal lacing.

At first it almost smells like a Flemish Sour that has lost all of its carbonation. Then you get into it, and it emits aromas of sour cherries and faint strawberries and raspberries, with a nice portion of malt sweetness throughout.

First the good with this beer- for being almost 9% alcohol, there is not any alcohol to be tasted. Now the bad- the nose on this beer is probably the most attractive element. As for the bad parts of this beer. Well, it puts the old in old ale. It tastes like cold McDonald's French Fries mixed with malt. There is some sweetness present, which helps a little bit, although there is no real definition to it; it's more just generic malt sweetness, almost like I'm drinking simple syrup, aka, 1 part sugar dissolved in 1 part boiling water. Not really the most appealing beer. There isn't much flavor transition, there isn't much warming alcohol, there isn't much of anything. Some malted sweetness on the finish, but that's it. Really a tad bit frustrating.

Pretty thick mouthfeel, as to be expected from a Old Ale. Really smooth, almost velvety finish; this, along with the nose ranks top for best qualities of the beer. There's some carbonation, but nothing to complain about. Pretty dense at times, almost borderline pleasant.

This is actually quite a drinkable beer, if you can get past the taste. It isn't super warming, it isn't super spicy, and it isn't super delicious. But once you get past the fact that it doesn't taste amazing, it's a pretty decent beer. Which kind of encapsulates the LBC; I had their sampler once and all I can remember is, wow, none of these beers are standout, but I think I could drink some of them all night and be ok with it. In short, it's a winter beer done like most other LBC beers. Which, to be honest, I'm ok with. I'll take it over a lot of beers, but I'll take most any decent beer over it. A high alcohol, 82/83 point beer. 86 seems a little high. Nice to see an Old Ale being used as a Winter Seasonal though.

Serving type: bottle

12-03-2007 04:54:08 | More by bigeyedfish

IceAce

California

3.45/5  rDev -8.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Twelve ounce bottle with no visible dating system

Pours a deep brown with a light tan collar of foam. Aroma is English style...deeply malty with earthy tones and hints of charred barley, coffee, and chocolate.

Entry is quiet with minimal carbonation and a slick mouthfeel. Midtaste features roasted malty goodness sticking to the back of the tongue with true English earthy undertones. The finish features a nice balance of hoppiness followed by coffee, chocolate, and a nice alcohol warming at the back of the throat.

A nice winter warmer for those looking to avoid the overdone hop-bombs and too-spicy wassales.

Many thanks to froggyfrog for hooking me up with this bottle!

Serving type: bottle

12-30-2005 10:56:27 | More by IceAce

FickleBeast

New Jersey

3.45/5  rDev -8.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 4

12 oz bottle poured into a pint glass. 8.9% ABV Old Ale? Would be nice if this was mentioned on the bottle.

Pours a ruddy dark reddish brown. A thin ring of foam forms and dissipates quickly. No lacing.

Aroma is candied fruits, sweet roast malts

Taste is of raisins, plum, no hop flavors detected. The body is watery thin. There are no off flavors or anything really negative detected, just an overall malaise on the palate when this beer hits.

carbonation is very low, but the mouthfeel is not smooth or creamy. It is rather thin-bodied for a beer of this potency - a major detriment.

The good news is that the alcohol is well hidden in this beer. The bad news is there just isn't enough flavor or mouthfeel to make this beer above-average.

Serving type: bottle

12-27-2009 05:14:31 | More by FickleBeast

shotreverseshot

Pennsylvania

3.45/5  rDev -8.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Served on tap into a pint glass at the Lancaster Brewery.

A - Pours a reddish dark brown with a very nice light brown head.

S - Molasses and raisins. A tiny bit of alcohol hidden very well.

T - Warm and sweet, not spectacularly so, but a little bit of the same molasses and raisin taste. Not too strong, but also not enough to be particularly noteworthy.

M - Very smooth, especially for the high ABV. Surprisingly light and a good warming effect.

D - Could definitely drink a few of these, though I'm certain the high alcohol content could creep up slowly. Not too aggressive nor too weak.

Overall - What it has in drinkability in lacks in punch. For a beer with this much alcohol I expected a bit more to it, but it does deliver the sweet, malty taste of a good winter beer.

Serving type: on-tap

12-29-2009 04:04:09 | More by shotreverseshot

Knapp85

Pennsylvania

3.45/5  rDev -8.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Poured out as a deep red color with a tan colored head on top. The lacing was minimal here. The smell of the beer has some spicy notes and a sweet malty aroma also. The taste of the beer has a caramel flavor followed up by somw of the warming spices. The mouthfeel is smooth, creamy feeling and had a medium body. Overall this beer isn't too bad, I'd try it again if I say it on a menu somewhere.

Serving type: on-tap

01-04-2012 05:10:53 | More by Knapp85

Minotaur

Pennsylvania

3.48/5  rDev -7.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

This ale pours a syrupy, deep milk chocolate color with dark copper highlights. Very little head which quickly fades to wood-colored wisps.

The aroma was not particularly impressive out of the gate: mostly the scent of alcohol and a little malt.

The taste was unexpected and rich. It is earthy, with cocoa, vanilla, and vaguely nutty toasted notes. It is deep and has a hint of alcohol. It is malty and has overtones of molasses (treacle?) and is reminiscient of holiday vanilla spice holiday cookies. There may be just a tiny bit of cherry deep in there too.

The mouthfeel and body is surprisingly thin despite the rich tastes.

It is not quite smooth with the high alcohol; there is a bit of roughness on the swallow. Like the mouthfeel, this seems in contrast to the sweet and earthy flavor.

Serving type: bottle

12-18-2009 02:41:10 | More by Minotaur

WesWes

New York

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

The beer pours a dark brown color with a thin off-white head that fades to lacing. The aroma is decent. It is sweet, malty, and dry. The taste is good. It is rich and malty with a slight liquorice flavor to it. It goes down easy and finishes dry. The mouthfeel is fine. It is a full bodied beer with adequate carbonation. This is a decent winter brew. It has good flavor and mouthfeel. This is a good sessions brew.

Serving type: on-tap

04-26-2004 13:22:20 | More by WesWes