Powder Hound Winter Ale - Big Sky Brewing Company

zhanson88

Montana

3.83/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Had this on tap at Iron Horse Brewpub in Missoula.

Appearance: Powder Hound comes out a clear pale gold color with a finger of very fine head. Retention is great and lacing stays abundant. This looks fantastic on draft.

Smell: I get some biscuity and caramel malts, then a lot of citrus and estery notes, with light hops on the end. Interesting.

Taste: Caramel malts form the base of this beer, then I get citrus and a ton of esters. A medium amount of hops on the back end.

Mouthfeel/drinkability: Pretty light on body with quite a bit of carbonation. Not overly impressive. Overall, this is a beer that seems fairly unique to me for the style and is very easy to drink.

Serving type: on-tap

12-24-2010 23:52:13 | More by zhanson88

Whiskeydeez

Kansas

3.25/5  rDev -10.2%

05-19-2013 16:58:36 | More by Whiskeydeez

ruckus232

Illinois

3.75/5  rDev +3.6%

05-05-2013 18:41:41 | More by ruckus232

Chucker17

South Dakota

4/5  rDev +10.5%

04-26-2013 00:25:13 | More by Chucker17

GossageBrewery

Missouri

3.03/5  rDev -16.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Poured this amber ale from a 12 oz bottle into a pint glass, poured a clear amber color, produced a nice off white head, decent retention and it left a good amount of lacing on the glass. The aroma consisted of caramel and lemongrass. Medium in body, this ale had a foundation of malted grain, sweet caramel and some citric lemon hops. Somewhat bitter- Dry finish. Overall, not very flavorful- its decent for a session beer but for a "Winter Ale" i was expecting a bit more umph!

Serving type: bottle

04-19-2013 23:04:18 | More by GossageBrewery

spicelab

Australia

3.74/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.75

12oz bottle. BB 14 March 2013, but you can thank shonk importers Beermasons for that.

Lovely looking beer, bright and clear orange with just the right sized head, barely off-white, that falls slowly to a nice raised ring.

Decent amounts of candied hops served up by a lightly caramelised malt backbone. Thanks to the age hops are quite subdued, but still get some nice tangerine notes.
Some alluring barky, nutmeg notes and other brown spices which I can't nail, and plenty of strawberry.

Flavours follow the nose and introduce an earthy pine bitterness, which although subdued has me questioning whether I've interpreted the bottle dating correctly.

Medium and slightly syrupy, with silky carbonation paving the way for a modest bitter finish.

Yet another solidly crafted and enjoyable offering from the most consistent brewery I know.

Serving type: bottle

04-14-2013 07:51:38 | More by spicelab

Boone757

Maryland

3.5/5  rDev -3.3%

04-03-2013 02:07:21 | More by Boone757

Jamison85

Indiana

3.75/5  rDev +3.6%

03-27-2013 16:44:01 | More by Jamison85

bigbeers84

Minnesota

3.75/5  rDev +3.6%

03-27-2013 10:10:36 | More by bigbeers84

drgonzo2k2

California

3.75/5  rDev +3.6%

03-27-2013 03:11:03 | More by drgonzo2k2

jenray

Texas

2.75/5  rDev -24%

03-26-2013 13:33:16 | More by jenray

Texasfan549

Texas

3.75/5  rDev +3.6%

03-26-2013 03:08:12 | More by Texasfan549

pyrobedlam

Colorado

3.5/5  rDev -3.3%

03-24-2013 01:04:44 | More by pyrobedlam

kjkinsey

Texas

3.5/5  rDev -3.3%

03-23-2013 20:54:09 | More by kjkinsey

FLBeerGuy

Florida

3.5/5  rDev -3.3%

03-17-2013 03:23:08 | More by FLBeerGuy

TubbyDullard

Minnesota

4/5  rDev +10.5%

03-05-2013 20:13:47 | More by TubbyDullard

delalove

Montana

4.25/5  rDev +17.4%

02-22-2013 20:44:05 | More by delalove

Rwalford74

Australia

4/5  rDev +10.5%

02-22-2013 08:35:18 | More by Rwalford74

capnamerica

Arkansas

3.25/5  rDev -10.2%

02-22-2013 00:53:22 | More by capnamerica

ADZA

Australia

3.79/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Winter Ales for me can be very hit and miss so glad this is an American Amber without the spices so should be interesting and pours a clear amber hue with a two finger creamy head and lacing here and there,the smell is very malty with hints of caramel,toffee,dried fruit,a hint of raisins and fruity hops in the background,the mouthfeel is medium bodied with moderate carbonation and has tastes of toffee,candy,marzipan the slightest hit of piney resinous hops followed by a nice citrus bitterness and overall i like this as a winter ale and as the old saying goes less is best definately applies in this case,a very drinkable amber.

Serving type: bottle

02-20-2013 11:32:00 | More by ADZA

NickSMpls

Minnesota

4/5  rDev +10.5%

02-14-2013 00:25:18 | More by NickSMpls

TMoney2591

Illinois

3.29/5  rDev -9.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25

Served in a willibecher at Firkin.

Do they have skiing teams in the Big sky conference? Regardless, this stuff pours a clear amber topped by a finger-and-a-half of cream-white foam. The nose comprises very light grapefruit peel, mixed greens, light honey-dripped biscuit, and very light toffee. The taste brings in more of the same, along with more greens, a touch more sweetness for the honey and biscuit, and an added hint of grass. The body is a light medium, with a light moderate carbonation and a sorta/kinda drying finish. Overall, an alright, if thoroughly nondescript, little beer.

Serving type: on-tap

02-10-2013 05:15:40 | More by TMoney2591

DruC4

Michigan

4/5  rDev +10.5%

02-10-2013 04:40:44 | More by DruC4

twistedweather

Washington

3.95/5  rDev +9.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured this into a nice snifter I found at Pear, a store at the Pike Place Market here in Seattle. I relished at the carmel color, and dip in for a sniff. Like smelling flowers and true hoppiness. By this time I was drooling a took a large sip. A bitter smooth flow cascaded down my throat...

Ahmen Ahmen I shouted hahlellujah! This beer is excellent. It even has a nice scene with a husky and some snow on the label. Belltown is were I found it, jus a single but would definetly get a sixer! floral smooth not too spicy goes down great!

Serving type: bottle

02-09-2013 01:31:29 | More by twistedweather

DrJoe82

Illinois

4/5  rDev +10.5%

01-31-2013 00:56:04 | More by DrJoe82