Blue Point Winter Ale - Blue Point Brewing Company

tdm168

North Carolina

3.31/5  rDev -6.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.25

A - amber with a thick, off white head with good retention

S - caramel, grains, sweet

T - caramel, apple, mild bitterness

M - medium bodied, well carbonated

This is an incredibly disappointing beer. It's super-simplistic with esters and caramel dominating, but there is also an off-putting graininess throughout. I'll pass this is up in the future.

Serving type: bottle

04-23-2013 23:20:29 | More by tdm168

Darkmagus82

Montana

3.85/5  rDev +9.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

Poured from bottle into a pint glass

Appearance – The beer pours light copper color with a thick two finger off white head. The head has a nice level of retention, slowly fading over time to leave a decent level of lace on the sides of the glass.

Smell – The aroma is heaviest of a caramel sweetness and a moderately strong toasted malt smell. Mixed with these aromas is a bit of a nutty and alcohol smell, producing a rather warming smell overall.

Taste – The taste begins with a flavor of a caramel sweetness mixed with toasted malt. As the taste moves forward, it sweetness further with toffee like flavors hitting the tongue as well as a bit of nuttiness. About this time some flavors of a light bitter hop of a more herbal/grassy nature meet the tongue. The mainly sweeter and toasted malty flavors take the taste to its end where they are joined by flavors of a light alcohol, some oak, and as well as a light spice of nutmeg and cinnamon. In the end with the advent of the spice, oak, alcohol and hop, the tongue is left with a warmingly sweet and malty flavor to linger on the tongue.

Mouthfeel – The body of the beer is slightly creamier then average with a carbonation level that is on the lower side. Both the lower carbonation and thicker body suit well the warming, light nut, hop, and spice flavors of the brew quite well and make for a nice slow drinker.

Overall – A somewhat complex winter warmer style with a rather nice blend of spice, nut/oak, hop, and sweet malty flavors. It is a rather enjoyable brew to drink.

Serving type: bottle

03-30-2013 01:21:58 | More by Darkmagus82

chinchill

South Carolina

3.81/5  rDev +7.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

Undated 12 oz bottle served in a Trois Pistoles snifter.

A: The beer is a deep reddish brown color with some fine looking carbonation bubbles, all covered by a good sized off-white head. The head reduces to a lasting partial coat and ring, and plenty of lacing is left on the glass.

S: The aroma features sweet malts, with a good bit of caramel, some alcohol esters and traces of hops. Some light floral and smoke notes.

T: The taste is a step towards an imperial amber, with flavors of darker roasted malts than usual, Some coffee and smoke in the finish and aftertaste. Hops are obvious in the finish and lend a very good sweet/bitter balance. The alcohol very well hidden.

M: Crisp and smooth, medium body, medium carbonation, slightly dry finish.

O: Light in body and ABV for a winter seasonal, it’ is darker and richer than average for an amber ale.

Serving type: bottle

03-11-2013 23:26:41 | More by chinchill

metter98

New York

3.56/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5

A: The beer is clear reddish amber in color and has a moderate amount of visible carbonation. It poured with a two finger high light beige head that took a long time to died down, settling to a short head covering the surface and lots of lacy rings of bubbles around the sides of the glass.
S: Sweet aromas of toffee malts are present in the nose.
T: The overall taste is quite malty and has lots of flavors of toasted malts and toffee along with notes of sweetness and spices—nutmeg stands out in particular.
M: It feels medium-bodied and smooth on the palate with a moderate to high amount of carbonation.
O: This beer is quite malty, but the high amount of carbonation in the mouthfeel makes it seem to be a little lighter and helps with the drinkability. The alcohol is well hidden from the taste. I'm not sure if I could drink more than one of these at a time because it is rather sweet and malty.

Serving type: bottle

03-11-2013 02:46:43 | More by metter98

rlee1390

Indiana

3.45/5  rDev -2.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A-Clear yellow/orange when pouring, clear amber in the glass, one finger head that doesn't last.

S-Lots of malt, some nutty notes, even a tad bit of cinnamon.

T-Starts extremely malty, good deal of nuts along with a tad bit of grass. No bitterness, caramel and molasses as well.

M-Light and no carbonation.

O-A boring, bland not that good from Blue Point. Guess I shouldn't be surprised.

Serving type: bottle

01-26-2013 17:21:05 | More by rlee1390

ColdWaffles

Pennsylvania

4.05/5  rDev +14.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Review copied from my notes. Was poured from a 12oz into a standard pint a few hours ago.

Appearance: Amber in color. Nice off-white head that sticks around and covers the glass pretty well.

Smell: Not picking up much. Slightly sweet smell, a little bit of malt.

Taste: This is a pretty great ale. It is not trying to do anything special, but it hits the mark and is something I would certainly go back to. Malts with a nice spiciness that hits the end for an ale that fits the season but would be appropriate any time.

Mouthfeel: Surprisingly carbonated but not bad. Appropriate medium body that goes down easy.

I'd buy this year round if it was available.

Serving type: bottle

12-23-2012 02:31:10 | More by ColdWaffles

KTCamm

New Jersey

4.05/5  rDev +14.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured from a twelve ounce bottle into a pint glass.

Pours a reddish brown, fast foam. Some layer remains. Fruity cherry smell. Malty caramel. Taste is a fruity sweet red malt and a mild hop bite close. Nice blend. Maybe a hint of whisky lurking in the back? Good.

Serving type: bottle

12-19-2012 12:13:39 | More by KTCamm

brother_rat

New York

3.18/5  rDev -9.9%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A: Pours a translucent dark copper, with a gray, thick head of uneven bubbles that faded pretty quick. Not a lot of lacing. Looks perfectly fine to me, nothing bad but nothing to write home about. 3/5

S: Opening florals of corn and wet cereals, sweetish. Not the most inviting. 2/5

T: Bright and light, with muted hops up front, toasted and a bit malty, fading to a more of a malty finish; sweet. Seems to leave an ever-sweetening aftertaste, which is actually pleasant. Notes of corn & cereal & grapefruit up front, but more caramel, almost dark chocolate or chocolate biscuits, at the finish. 3.5/5

M: There's a bit of body to the beer, despite the initial lightness, and you do feel the warming ABV. Very drinkable, and I enjoyed the beer more as I continued drinking. 3.5/5

O: Not a bad beer, and perhaps my favorite offering from Blue Point (I'm not a fan of the Toasted Lager or some of their other beers, which is hard to say as I'm from LI and Blue Point is everywhere around me). But this is one of those beers where the initial impressions turned out to be pretty deceptive. From unimpressive first sniffs and tastes, I continued to like the beer more and more. They dialed down the hops, thankfully, and made a pretty solid beer that ends well. Nice. 3.5/5

Serving type: bottle

12-15-2012 02:01:17 | More by brother_rat

alexgash

Connecticut

3.53/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

12 oz. bottle.

Coppery burnt sienna body. Clean and clear. Finger of dense, padded, bright light khaki head. Some lacing. Toasted sweet bread, brown sugar, caramel, figs, and fruity sweetness on the nose. Hints of vague festive spices, but not much.

Toasted, nutty malt up front. Becomes fruitier with some caramel and cookie dough sweetness. Modest herbal and citrus hop bitterness in the latter half. Caramel and cookie dough linger into and through the finish. Some cooked veggie, bock-like flavors, and black tea as well. Medium bodied with a somewhat slick feel. Not bad, but definitely not my go to winter beer.

Serving type: bottle

12-08-2012 22:41:43 | More by alexgash

KickbacksSteve

Florida

3.58/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

On tap at Kickbacks in Jax. Poured into a snifter. Off-white head, moderate retention on a amber/copper body. Lacing is sticky and soapy. Aroma includes caramel malts, some spicing (maybe white pepperish), light hop bitterness. Taste is more sweet than bitter, slightly brown sugarish, certainly caramel, faint bitterness. I suppose this can be described as a wintery amber. Easy to drink and pretty tasty.

Serving type: on-tap

12-04-2012 06:29:31 | More by KickbacksSteve

kylehay2004

Florida

4.05/5  rDev +14.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A: two finger thick off white head with nice retention and lacing on a brown with garnet hues hazy body.

S: lots of sweet caramel and toffee and even a chocolate note.

T: sweet caramel malt and spices up front with a chocolate and semi dry coffee note to the finish. Fairly complex for the style.

M: medium to full body and moderate to high carbonation.

Overall: This one is actually very good and surprisingly complex. The semi dry finish hurts the mouthfeel but a nice brew overall.

Serving type: bottle

04-07-2012 23:06:17 | More by kylehay2004

DrDemento456

Pennsylvania

3.43/5  rDev -2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

A - A nice deep brown hue with slight ruby highlights and a slightly opaque head. Pretty sticky lacing is a nice looking winter warmer.

S - No real spices just some caramel malts, sweet sugars, and toffee.

T - I had no idea this was a red ale but as a winter ale it was very malt forward with sweet toffee and caramel aspects. Not too overly sweet and the hops take a back seat.

M - Medium it drank pretty much around it's ABV.

Overall a pretty sweet red ale, much bigger and bolder than Yuengling but noting that really stands out amongst other winter warmers. Decent beer though.

Serving type: bottle

02-02-2012 03:20:27 | More by DrDemento456

JerzDevl2000

New Jersey

3.25/5  rDev -7.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Picked this up recently at BuyRite in Jersey City since I had never had this before. I hadn't had any of their offerings in a while and I wasn't sure what to expect with this. Although it's a fairly strong beer and kept me warm, the taste and mouthfeel just weren't here. This could be sold year-round, but only because there wasn't any spice or notable flavors in this like in so many of the other seasonal beers that I've had.

The pour was the best aspect of this, with a nice copper hue and accompanying frothy head. Not much of an aroma to this either and the mouthfeel was quite thin. I knew that this was an ale, but it wasn't full at all this reminded me of the Blue Point Toasted Lager or Yuengling, because of the creamy taste. Just a hint of vanilla could be found here as well but the aftertaste was that of a slight burn, without any spice, hops, or other notes that could have livened things up.

There was enough alcohol here but I couldn't detect that either until I finished off the contents of my pint glass. I don't expect winter beers too blow me away but if all they can do is keep me warm, then I'll just have some bourbon and ginger ale. This was certainly not Blue Point's best.

Serving type: bottle

01-17-2012 23:33:57 | More by JerzDevl2000

shand

Florida

3.43/5  rDev -2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a 12oz bottle into a Sam Adams perfect pint.

Pours a deep red color with a large head that retains very well. Aroma is grainy, sweet malts, with a bit of spicing. The taste is pretty good, it still has a bit of that graininess from the aroma, but everything's a lot more well-rounded with some nice caramel textures and light spices to round the brew out. The mouthfeel is on the fuller side of medium and decently carbonated, and the drinkability is good. It's a solid winter brew for sure.

Serving type: bottle

01-17-2012 01:47:19 | More by shand

cosmicevan

New York

3.78/5  rDev +7.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

swung by the brewery after work to try the french oak cask of this so got a regular for comparison. nice amber color with thin head that fizzled away leaving an oil slick of head. smells like an amber should, malty and barley like, veey earthy. taste is the same but even more earthy. the malt bomb is nice and the brown sugar is there, but in an amount that is bearable (not my fav style). mouth was stamdard with good carb. overall a good amber and worth a try as the weather grows colder, however if you are local run to try the cask french oak as it is amazing how different it is.

Serving type: on-tap

01-05-2012 23:03:48 | More by cosmicevan

barleyroad

Pennsylvania

4.3/5  rDev +21.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Amber in appearance with nice foam. Smell is nice with hops. Mouthfeel is good, this beer leaves the mouth nicely and leaves you wanting more. Taste, is very good, that is why you want more. This is a good beer, however we would not classify this as a winter. This is a great American Amber/ Red Ale. Will go well with what every you are eating. Enjoy

Serving type: bottle

01-05-2012 01:26:51 | More by barleyroad

iBeer16

New York

3.63/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A: poured into pint glass. Pours dark amber but translucent. Pours with a lot of head with an cream hue. Leaves nice lacing.

S: Nothing too strong standing out in terms of smell, just malty. Could be me but I smell some slight vanilla.

T: strong malty flavor with some spices. Alcohol taste not making a huge presence in regards to bitterness but still present, more than a winter warmer. Sweet taste also.

M: makes mouth water, slight bitterness combined with sweet and spices makes this beer a great one to enjoy and tastes are continuously changing. Keeps mouth on its toes

Overall, I really like this winter ale. The combination of sweet, spice, and hoppy is well done. The taste is constantly changing which entices you to continue drinking.

Serving type: bottle

12-23-2011 04:12:27 | More by iBeer16

BuxMontBeerLover

Pennsylvania

3.63/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Bottle was part of a mix-n-match 6pk picked up by my buddy, Pat. Thanks for the beers, brother!

Enjoyed in a DFH Signature Glass

A - Pours a mostly translucent amber/reddish color. A one finger head on the initial pour. A small amount of lacing left after enjoying.

S - Nothing great here. Just a faint malty smell.

T - Actually a decent tasting beer. A very malt forward brew. I'm getting a sweet, almost like a burnt sugar taste - almost toffee-like. Very faint taste of spices but not as much as I'd expect to taste in a winter ale. The alcohol is barely noticeable.

M - A decently carbonated brew. Medium consistency.

O - A beer that is good but nothing really stands out. I enjoyed it but wouldn't necessarily seek out again. That being said, It would have no problem drinking it again. Thanks again, Pat for the beers!

Cheers!

Serving type: bottle

12-22-2011 15:09:55 | More by BuxMontBeerLover

JMD

Connecticut

3.58/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A: Amber colored brew with 2 inch off white head that fades slowly and leaves a light lacing on the glass.

S: Malt dominates this fairly mild aroma. Some molasses and bread, but not much else.

T: Nicely balanced. Malty with hints of molasses and brown sugar. Sourdough bread is prominant as well. Nice hoppy finish

M: Medium to full bodied. nicely carbonated.

D: this is a solid winter offering from Blue Point, but nothing exceptional. I enjoyed drinking this 6pk, but not sure i would go out of my way to get it again

Serving type: bottle

12-14-2011 23:22:43 | More by JMD

Yagman3000

New York

3.75/5  rDev +6.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Served from a 12 oz. bottle into a pint glass.
Enjoyed while watching a tense Giants game.

Appears a burnt orange. There's actually a little creamy head that remains. Surprised by its liveliness.

Smell is way too understated. There's a little sting to the nostril from some booziness but that's about it.

Tastes of sweet maltiness. Some molasses. A littkecsweetborange too. Decently refreshing.

It's mouthfeel is marked by sharp effervescence which turns pretty dusty quickly into the experience.

Overall I would have liked a heavier flavor and mouthfeel experience for this beer given its genre. I imagined a lot more richness and dry fruit flavors.

Serving type: bottle

12-12-2011 03:58:41 | More by Yagman3000

Naugros

New Jersey

3.28/5  rDev -7.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Deep amber, this is almost a red ale in color. Nice frothy, beige head leaves behind decent lacing. The smell is strong with what smells like spicy German hops, but could very well be any kind of hops and the spicing that is in the beer, but they don't claim to spice this one. The aroma is a little off with a medicinal sense to it. The taste and mouthfeel pretty confirm the presence of German hops. I could be wrong here, but I get the same experience from Sam Adams Boston Lager and other German ales and lagers as I do this beer. Not that German hops are a bad thing, even though they're not my favorites, I just don't really like them here. The 7% alcohol is not very evident and the finish isn't all that clean. But the body is a nice crisp, medium.

I've pretty much loved everything this brewery has put out, but this one escapes me. I don't think the hops and malts are in very good balance, and it reminds me of a slightly sweeter version of Boston Lager. Even though there's a bunch of sweetness from the malts, you don't get much malt flavor.

Serving type: bottle

12-11-2011 03:14:09 | More by Naugros

BeardedBoffin

Minnesota

3.3/5  rDev -6.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Blue Point Winter Ale was served, on tap, in a shaker pint. The beer had a deep mahogany color with just a wisp of foam. Caramel is strong in the nose. Similar on the palate, but after the caramel fades little remains. A dash of spice at the end brightens up the taste buds following a distinct hollowness in the center. Overall, fine and drinkable, but I would prefer more complexity.

Serving type: on-tap

12-02-2011 23:56:57 | More by BeardedBoffin

Knapp85

Pennsylvania

3.08/5  rDev -12.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

This beer poured out as a reddish color with a white head. Ther head fizzles away and doesn't leave too much lacing or rentention. The smell of the beer has a sweet malt base with some light winter spices on the nose. The taste of the beer was a little weaker than I hoped for. The flavors are average to me. The mouthfeel was also pretty much average. Overall I thought this beer should have beem a little stronger and thicker.

Serving type: bottle

11-16-2011 02:07:13 | More by Knapp85

JohnnyChicago

Illinois

3.53/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a 12oz bottle into a Blue Point shaker pint.

A: Pours pretty dark for an amber ale - light brown with some off-white head.

S: Not too much aroma. There is a dose of sweet and earthy maltiness with the suggestion of hops.

T: Not too much taste either...Again, malt is there first with brown sugar, nuttiness and dirt. Hops are herbal and heavier on the bitterness and lighter on the flavour; they are just kind of "there".

D: It goes down easy enough and the alcohol is covered, but the flavours are a bit boring and bland.

Overall: A weird beer. It lacks any punch or defining characteristics. It isn't syrupy and malty, it isn't hoppy, but it isn't really balanced either. Its just not too interesting of a beer. Not sure why this is their winter seasonal...it seems like the blander beers are better suited for warmer months when you just want some refreshment. Not a terrible beer, but BP can do MUCH better.

Serving type: bottle

11-07-2011 15:00:19 | More by JohnnyChicago

BeerManDanNYC

New York

4.43/5  rDev +25.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

The best winter beer I've been able to find consistently the last couple of years. A full, rich flavor with just a hint of spice and a surprisingly easy finish for a winter ale. The kind of beer you want after a long day on the slopes. Once again, Blue Point delivers on the seasonal brew.

Serving type: on-tap

09-23-2011 20:16:38 | More by BeerManDanNYC