St. Benedict's Winter Ale - Stevens Point Brewery

drpimento

Wisconsin

3.09/5  rDev -11.7%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.25 | overall: 3.5

Actually one of Point’s better efforts. Poured at a good temperature with a large foamy, fizzy, light tan head that soon settled to a large island and ring with a bit of lace. Color is a clear orange red mahoganey with lots of bubble trails. Aroma is immediately bubble gum, then fruit, malt, caramel. Flavor is like nose with sweet on top then bitter and tang. Not a lot going on. Body is a tad thin and carbonation fizzy. Finish is like flavor, fairly long, and lelt me thinking: I know they can do it if they want. The question is, why don’t they?

Serving type: bottle

03-04-2013 08:44:33 | More by drpimento

Brenden

Ohio

3.84/5  rDev +9.7%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

This beer is a pure, clear red orange. Big bubbles cling to the side of the glass. The head grows to about one finger, maybe just a little higher, but is too loose and drops somewhat quickly. The island of foam is made of big bubbles and likewise dissipates. There is a bit left, patchy bits that stay on top of the beer. Some spotty lacing manages to cling to the glass.
Banana and clove in the nose; that's a good sign. It disappears for a little bit and then sneaks back as it warms. Weird. Was my fridge too cold? Doesn't seem that way. Anyway, a bit of toasted malt and some dark fruits make it standard stuff but pretty good, and well-made to style.
The strength comes out in the flavor, and the strong but unoffensive and soft warmth from the alcohol makes for a pleasant experience. Dark fruits seem to mix with soft white flesh fruit flavors, both banana and pear. There's very little bitterness, which is expected, and it's of a mildly herbal quality and balances well.
The feel is on the lighter side of medium with a snappy crispness and is fairly smooth, though it might be a touch too active.

Serving type: bottle

02-28-2013 16:32:37 | More by Brenden

RyanLaCount03

Wisconsin

4.15/5  rDev +18.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Overall I thought Saint Benedicts Winter Ale was a decent beer. Had it for the first time at my girlfriends cabin in northern Wisconsin back in late December of 2012. The appearance of the beer was good, and the flavor was ok. I thought it was kind of a strong beer at times with the full flavor coming out at times. Would probably buy it again in the winter months.

Serving type: bottle

02-20-2013 04:22:38 | More by RyanLaCount03

brewskifan55

Mississippi

3.41/5  rDev -2.6%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25

Poured into a snifter

A: Clear cherry/amber with a tan half-finger head that leaves pretty fast. Limited lacing.

S: Malts, vanilla.

T: Belgian yeast, cherries up front. Dark fruits.

M: Medium, watery. Low carbonation.

O: Not as good as I remember from a few years back. The cherries are a bit strong. Still, not bod.

Serving type: bottle

01-21-2013 14:30:36 | More by brewskifan55

SaucedAntiquarian

Nebraska

3.13/5  rDev -10.6%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Pours clear amber with little head. Smells similar to a Belgian, but is not quite as complex. Has a surprisingly warm, and pleasant taste for how inexpensive it was. It is not a heavy beer, but does have a warm feel. A respectable winter beer at a very reasonable price.

Serving type: bottle

01-04-2013 01:33:49 | More by SaucedAntiquarian

TheSSG

Illinois

3.85/5  rDev +10%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours a huge, tan head that fizzes loudly and has impressive persistence. Sweet aroma reminds me of banana and bubblegum, with a touch of a candied fruit (raisins?). Lustrous burnt sienna color. Starts with a nice combination of roasted malt and that sweet malt., flavors of prunes or raisins. Moves into a slight-to-medium hoppiness, and then the malt comes through for the finish. A lot of biscuit flavors mingling with a spicy sweetness.

This is pretty good, though a touch too sweet for my tastes. Definitely perfect for Winter!

Serving type: bottle

12-20-2012 03:17:36 | More by TheSSG

wiscokid920

Wisconsin

3.5/5  rDev 0%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

12oz bottle poured into pint glass

A- Clear copper in color, visible carbonation. Thin ½ finger off white head that fades fast. Non-existent lacing.

S- Qualities of a Belgian Ale. Sweet, spicy aroma with the traditional winter spice notes of nutmeg and alcohol.

T- More like a Belgian abbey than a winter ale. Clove, nutmeg, banana flavors. A very well balanced brew.

M- Smooth, rich, and creamy. Finishes clean and is nicely balanced. Leaves a nice dark malt and spice aftertaste. Medium body and nice carbonation.

O- Not sure if it fits the winter ale characteristics it claims to be, but an excellent take on a Belgian. A very well balanced tasty brew.

Serving type: bottle

12-16-2012 19:41:50 | More by wiscokid920

hosehead83

Ohio

3.48/5  rDev -0.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a 12oz. bottle into a standard pint glass.
Copper/amber in color, with a nice, two-inch head of light tan foam.
Aroma-Faint nutmeg and cinnamon
Taste-Nutmeg, cinnamon, clove, some dark fruit mills about. A bit light-bodied for a winter warmer despite the 6.2ABV. A decent, bit better-than average wintwer warmer.

Serving type: bottle

12-10-2012 23:00:02 | More by hosehead83

Megahertz

Missouri

3.75/5  rDev +7.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

12 oz into a New Belgium Globe. Date seems to be September 6. Consumed December 1.

A - Clear deep red with a small off-white head. Looks good.

S - Plum, cherry and apricot with a chocolatey background.

T - Cola-like belgian sweetness with considerable stonefruit flavor. Phenolic. Hops are not a major contributor.

M - Heavy body with creamy mouthfeel.

O - A surprise, to say the least, from Steven's Point. Did not figure this to be a belgian ale prior to opening the bottle. Reminds me of Leffe Brown.

Serving type: bottle

12-01-2012 20:30:58 | More by Megahertz

metter98

New York

3.48/5  rDev -0.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A: The beer is relatively clear reddish amber in color and has some miniscule particles visible floating in suspension along with a light amount of carbonation. It poured with a thin beige head that died down but left wispy lacing on the surface and a thick ring of dense bubbles around the edge of the glass.
S: Light to moderate aromas of candi sugar, fruit and spices are present in the nose.
T: The taste has flavors of sweet malts along with notes of apples and candi sugars as well as some hints of Belgian yeast.
M: It feels on the high end of being medium-bodied on the palate and has a moderate amount of carbonation. No alcohol warming is noticeable.
O: This beer is quite drinkable compared to other beers in the style because the alcohol is well hidden and it isn’t very filling.

Serving type: bottle

05-01-2012 02:27:19 | More by metter98

chinchill

South Carolina

4.1/5  rDev +17.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

The label and name (“St. Benedict’s”) both suggest I fine abbey brew, but calling this a ‘winter ale’ suggests it could be almost any style ale.

A – The body is a clear. deep, orange-amber; light carbonation is visible. The thin, off-white head quickly reduces to a nice ring with a few thin patches, but remains capable of coating the glass anew with each sip.

S – Needs to warm a good bit to really bring out the aromas. The spicy aroma is more like that expected from a Belgian winter brew (e.g., Delirium Noel) than from an American winter ale, although there is a definite presence of such typical “winter spices” as nutmeg. Fruity with a hint of cognac. 3.75

T – Largely follows the aroma, but much closer to a Belgian dubbel or winter ale than expected, with the touches of cloves, dried plums, raisins and bananas. If presented as such, I’d have no trouble believing this was an actual Belgian abbey beer. The finish is clean, rich, and nicely balanced, leaving a fine and long-lasting aftertaste that features both dark malts and spices. The spices form a well-chosen and balanced mix, and blend very nicely with the malts and minimal hops; although the aftertaste is eventually dominated by clove, nutmeg and other spices.
4.25

M: Near medium body with soft carbonation. 3.75

Overall: One of the best American ‘’Belgians’ I’ve had. (I know, BA follows the label and calls this a “winter ale”). Whatever you want to call it, this is a superb, tasty, well-balanced, and easy-to-drink beer. 4.3

Serving type: bottle

04-29-2012 20:47:50 | More by chinchill

WastingFreetime

Wisconsin

3.43/5  rDev -2%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Reviewed from notes.

A. A reddish brown color with two fingers of fairly long-lived craggy head and medium levels of lacing, a nice looking beer indeed!

S. Toffee brittle with lots of nuts and a glimmer of dark fruit in the background.

T. Gentle malts with less nuttiness than I would have expected from the nose, but more spiciness (cloves, nutmeg, allspice) and a mildly herbal finish.

M. Somewhat smooth medium body with an understated carbonation.

Serving type: bottle

02-21-2012 20:32:55 | More by WastingFreetime

dhannes

Wisconsin

4.4/5  rDev +25.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured into a Perfect Pint.

A=Rich amber color, with creamy one finger head.

S=Fruity and hoppy...inviting.

T=Hearty...hint of spice and citrus. Normally, I don't care for spice and citrus, but this one works for me.

M=Excellent...just the right body...not too heavy, not too light.

O=I paired this with pizza rolls, which did not work well...this would work well with red meat, I think, as well as by itself. Very likely that I will purchase this next winter.

Serving type: bottle

02-21-2012 14:09:23 | More by dhannes

ZAP

Minnesota

3.48/5  rDev -0.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A-Chestnut brown...light head that fades very quickly to nothing..

S-Lightly malty for a winter warmer...some caramel...a little bit of figs and a bit of a clove impression.

T-Again leans toward malty but not real immense in flavor...some toffeeish notes...figs again...caramel....almost some bready notes as well...

M-Medium bodied....a little sticky

O-I feel this is on the verge of being better than average....I want to like it more but as I am discerning I keep wanting more assertive flavors to jump out...they don't...still not bad at all...

Serving type: bottle

02-11-2012 05:41:39 | More by ZAP

Suds

Pennsylvania

3.68/5  rDev +5.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Reddish brown color with a very slight head. The aroma is malt-centric...a lots of toasted, bready notes. Some syrup-like scents, mingled with fruit. The taste is equally malty, with apple, pear, and some bitterness. Balance, however, is tilted severely toward malt. Moderately low in carbonation. The mouthfeel is actually a little lighter than the taste telegraphs. It's still a flavorful and good winter warmer.

Serving type: bottle

02-05-2012 03:20:26 | More by Suds

Zachtheporter

Wisconsin

3.45/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

served from a 12 oz bottle. Pours a light ruby color with a whitish tan bubbly head that dissapears right away. smells faintly of mixed berries and wheat with an almost ester-y Belgian note to it similar to bananas. It tastes very refreshing and crisp with a slight hop kick while maintaining a distinct sweetness. very balanced with both malts and hops. has a crispy syrupy mouth feel that is very enjoyable. Overall a great winter warmer. Not very spicy and not too dark but still clean and drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

02-01-2012 08:19:34 | More by Zachtheporter

sulldaddy

Connecticut

4.05/5  rDev +15.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Sampling a cellar temp bottle poured into a snifter, a gift from Stopper.

The beer pours a clear chestnut with rich ruby highlights and a very fizzy sounding beige head of 3 cm even with a gentle pour.
Head fades to the thinnest of edge layers fairly quickly after its noisy appearance.

Aroma is some sweet fruit and lots of spices. I get nutmeg and brown sugar mixing with red grapes and maybe cinnamon, something else sweet going on there too.

The flavor is sweet malt and spice with caramel and fruit. Red grapes and some pears. Fairly complex mixture of flavors but all sweetness with no hops or booze. I also get a bit of nutmeg mixed in the flavor profile.

The beer is very smooth and easy to drink, carbonation is minimal and soft adding to the drinkability of this beer. I dont know if the sweetness would get too much after a second beer but this one bottle is definitely enjoyable.
I would pick up some of these up and share the 6er with friends.

Serving type: bottle

01-04-2012 04:52:37 | More by sulldaddy

rundocrun

Iowa

3.8/5  rDev +8.6%
look: 2 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Body is a mix between coppery orange and ruby. Little to no head formes even after a rough pour. What does form is off-white and composed of coarse off-white bubbles. No lacing.

S - Smells of typical winter spices (cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg). A significant amount of sour apple and bubblegum esters are present. Orange-like citrus notes underly everything else. No hop aroma.

T - Quite sweet up front with a crisp and refreshing citrusy flavor accompanying. Drier, less sweet wheat malt flavors come in toward the middle. Subtle bitterness on the sides of the tongue. Finish is relatively clean, and not overly-sweet with flavors of darker roasted malts.

M - Light or medium body with prominent carbonation. Very crisp, clean and refreshing. The degree of drinkability is surprising considering this is marked as a winter warmer, which I am more familiar with being "sippers".

Overall - For whatever reason Stevens Point Brewery was a company I had stayed away from for a long time. I hadn't necessarily heard anything negative, but I had (incorrectly) made an assumption that they were only capable of making mediocre craft beers. Well, I guess I have to drink my words because this is a great, balanced, and drinkable beer. Sure, it's not that pretty and it doesn't adhere strictly to the winter warmer characteristics, but that doesn't change the fact that this is a plain good beer.

Serving type: bottle

01-02-2012 04:38:07 | More by rundocrun

tvv375ia

Iowa

3.08/5  rDev -12%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

poured from 12oz bottle into pint glass

A-nice mahogany with less than finger of head that faded quickly

S-some malts but I get more spice than malt

T-cloves, fruity malt presents itself later but spice is dominant for me

M-nice carbonation but fairly thin

O-nothing that I would seek out again, I just wasn't fond of the spice that I got out of it

Serving type: bottle

12-31-2011 02:40:09 | More by tvv375ia

avalon07

South Carolina

3.2/5  rDev -8.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

A: Poured from a bottle to a pint glass. Had a copper color and a clear consistency. There was an inch of foamy, fairly long-lasting head. Not much lacing.

S: A surprisingly fruity aroma, with some traces of malt as well.

T: Tasted of malt, a little hops, some yeast, and fruit (apples, pears). This almost tastes like a mild Belgian ale, instead of a winter warmer. In any case it doesn't really work either way.

M: A highly carbonated beer with a prickly, vibrant finish. Medium-bodied.

O: This is kind of an odd, unfocused beer. It almost plays like a cross between a winter warmer and a Belgian Pale Ale, but it can't pull either off.

Serving type: bottle

12-18-2011 14:19:30 | More by avalon07

lawlerj

Nebraska

3.6/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a 12 oz. bottle into a tulip. No best by or born on date.

A - Pours a translucent light brown with a fairly large 3 to 4 finger head from an agressive pour. Head dissipates moderately quicly. It does not appear to be strongly carbonated.

S - Malt dominates the aroma of the bready and caramel variety. There are some spices, with some phenolic and dark fruit notes. A touch of hops, but nothing storng. Standard for the style.

T - Pretty much follow the nose; biscuity malt and caramel notes mixing with a touch of hop character. A bit of fruitiness as well.

M - On the light side of medium bodied. Moderately carbonated.

O - Overall, not too bad. I enjoyed this and I will definitely look forward to it next year.

Serving type: bottle

12-18-2011 00:27:56 | More by lawlerj

Zraly

Virginia

3.53/5  rDev +0.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

On-tap at the County Grille in Hampton, VA.

Poured a deepish amber with ruby highlights. No head.

Phenols and fruit play the major roles in this very Belgian-esque winter warmer. It's quite fruity, the predominant fruit note is pear. There is a touch of bread quality. The mouthfeel is nice and smooth and is well-supported by appropriate carbonation. The body is a bit thin; a bit more heft and I'd say the mouthfeel is excellent. A bit of spice in the finish.

This is nice and a bit different for the winter warmer category. It seemed at times to not be entirely coherent, but the mouthfeel and carbonation help tie things together. Nice for meaty meals.

Serving type: on-tap

12-17-2011 19:13:38 | More by Zraly

micromaniac129

Pennsylvania

3.23/5  rDev -7.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Pours amber in color with maybe some ruby hi lites. Very little carbonation and even less foamy head. Aroma of malts bread and nuts. Some light hops. Malty tasting with biscuit and alight hop bitterness. Drinks semi smooth with a touch of grit. This beer is just an average beer and really could use alittle work.

Serving type: bottle

12-17-2011 13:12:05 | More by micromaniac129

longbongsilver

Missouri

3.48/5  rDev -0.6%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Mix'n'match pack pick here, let's go. Pours a highly fizzy, translucent red-brown, minimal tan head goes away quick. Smells peppery, with butterscotch and a dry wheat note.

Taste moves more towards caramel with a bit of clove. Not bitter at all, whatever hops were used seem more about aroma than bitterness, though it doesn't go sweet either. Dryness suggested on smell eases back a bit. Goes down relatively thin, though the carbonation would get annoying if this were particularly rich so it's a wash really.

This tastes like what happens when you try to make a Dubbel and under-calculate something in the process. Nothing huge here, though it still works. I wouldn't stab anybody for it, but it's nowhere near a drain pour either. I imagine it's an entry level for the warmer category.

Serving type: bottle

12-10-2011 07:06:10 | More by longbongsilver

jsprain1

Minnesota

3.23/5  rDev -7.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

A- Reddish copper with a thin offwhite head that leaves just a couple notes of lacing on the glass.
S- The aroma is fairly mild, but I get wheat aromas, with some spice and a bit of fruitiness.
T- At first it was generally malty sweetness but soon the flavors come through with an odd weizen profile. There is some fruit and a good amount of spicy flavors, but there is a pretty strong medicinal/bandaid flavor in the finish.
M- Carbonation is medium high. Body tends toward the light side for a winter warmer.
O- This was odd for me. For the most part it was ok, but they got a little carried away with the whole phenol/ester thing in the finish. Probably pass in the future.

Serving type: on-tap

12-05-2011 05:37:54 | More by jsprain1