Highland Cold Mountain Winter Ale - Highland Brewing

dancinwillie

Wisconsin

4.28/5  rDev +6.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Big thanks to turtlemoye for this one. I got it from a LIF he did, in which I didn't even win! I've been waiting to drink drink it, and I decided I'd better get around to doing just that. So here it goes.

Looks pretty thick coming out of that bottle. Head is fluffy, and cratered. Slow carbonation swells and releases sluggishly. As it drops and the bubbles become less dense, they spread out and look like under carbonated home brew heads. Color is dark red, and almost the shade of plum.

Aroma is nutty sweetness, almost peanut brittle. Unknown earthy spicing.

Sweet with a little bitterness, though not hoppy. Earthy and wholesome, like some really good multi-grain bread. Spicy, with a little oxidation that reminds me of an old, Old Ale. In the background: maple syrup and a little pumpkin pie flavor. As it warms, it gathers more of an Ale fruitiness, and again, I reminisce of pie fillings. This time more of a tart cherry, and maybe a little blackberry too. Toasted wheat berries.

Medium bodied, leaning more towards the fuller end of the spectrum. Sweet finish.

Overall, I'm really pretty impressed with this beer. I tend to rush a bit in my reviewing, and tried to slow it down here. I'm glad I did. Thanks again turtlemoye, I was thrilled to receive this and enjoyed drinking it. Now I just have to get going, and come up with an LIF of my own. Cheers!

Serving type: bottle

04-14-2009 03:28:26 | More by dancinwillie

FIN

Georgia

4/5  rDev -0.7%

06-07-2013 18:06:18 | More by FIN

shagens

Wisconsin

3.5/5  rDev -13.2%

05-29-2013 12:47:46 | More by shagens

Photekut

Azerbaijan

4/5  rDev -0.7%

05-18-2013 22:23:09 | More by Photekut

SmellsofMahagony

Texas

3.5/5  rDev -13.2%

05-17-2013 01:26:03 | More by SmellsofMahagony

Treyliff

West Virginia

4.45/5  rDev +10.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

A- pours dark copper color with a two-finger light creamy head, good retention after pour, a bit of lace

S- dried cranberry, vanilla bean, hazelnut, sweet raspberry fruit, sweet caramel malt. Aromas are pronounced and inviting, very nice

T- so many flavors going on; vanilla, berries, hazelnut, dried cranberry with a raspberry tartness, the finish is balanced by sweet caramel malt. By far one of the most complex winter Warner's I've had.

M- medium body, low carbonation, creamy mouthfeel, velvety smooth finish

O- most Winter Warmers seem to taste the same for the most part, but this one sets itself apart from all of the other typical flavors of the style. The flavors are more complex and are reminiscent of the season. I'd gladly purchase this again and again.

Serving type: bottle

05-07-2013 16:48:06 | More by Treyliff

Bluecane

North Carolina

2.5/5  rDev -38%

04-21-2013 06:57:36 | More by Bluecane

marley2112

North Carolina

4.25/5  rDev +5.5%

04-09-2013 02:23:11 | More by marley2112

mendvicdog

Maryland

3.5/5  rDev -13.2%

04-08-2013 02:39:39 | More by mendvicdog

marlinsfan4

Maryland

4.25/5  rDev +5.5%

04-07-2013 17:40:33 | More by marlinsfan4

Beerstorian

District of Columbia

3.5/5  rDev -13.2%

04-07-2013 00:14:34 | More by Beerstorian

AngusOg

Maryland

4/5  rDev -0.7%

04-06-2013 20:08:54 | More by AngusOg

DruRho

Maryland

4/5  rDev -0.7%

04-06-2013 20:04:10 | More by DruRho

duceswild

Maryland

4.25/5  rDev +5.5%

04-06-2013 20:03:24 | More by duceswild

bacasnax

Florida

4/5  rDev -0.7%

03-31-2013 23:25:36 | More by bacasnax

Duff27

Illinois

3.25/5  rDev -19.4%

03-27-2013 02:33:38 | More by Duff27

bonSreeB

Alabama

4.25/5  rDev +5.5%

03-26-2013 16:57:43 | More by bonSreeB

4runner4ever

North Carolina

4.5/5  rDev +11.7%

03-25-2013 15:26:25 | More by 4runner4ever

zillo043068

New Jersey

4/5  rDev -0.7%

03-19-2013 22:27:44 | More by zillo043068

corby112

Pennsylvania

3.14/5  rDev -22.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25

Thanks to kubrick215 for sharing.

Pours a hazy dark amber/copper color with a one finger beige head that slowly fades into a lasting ring.  Sporadic spotty lacing left behind.  

Earthy, leathery malt aroma with an odd syrupy medicinal presence along with some dark fruit and heavy spices.  Hints of nutmeg, cinnamon and vanilla bean followed by cherry juice, plum and raspberry.

Medium bodied wih a dry, medicinal flavor along with a heavy vanilla and spice presence.   Lots of dark fruit and sweet caramel malt sweetness with notes of hazelnut, toffee, raspberry, cherry juice and lots of vanilla.  Floral/potpourri like with zesty cinnamon and clove spiciness.  Really weird combination of flavors.  Not bad but a few ounces was more than enough for me.

Serving type: bottle

03-19-2013 00:38:16 | More by corby112

wmobley

Wisconsin

4.5/5  rDev +11.7%

03-14-2013 19:37:16 | More by wmobley

brys82

North Carolina

4.75/5  rDev +17.9%

03-10-2013 09:25:18 | More by brys82

bigfnjoe

Pennsylvania

4.24/5  rDev +5.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25

Poured from a bomber into a Duvel tulip

A- pours a nice cherry red with a half finger tan head that sticks around for awhile. Nice looking beer, minus the head

S- huge aromas of raspberries and cinnamon coming through...wow, excellent and very unexpected

T- a nice punch of raspberries to start, then moving into some nuttiness and a little cinnamon to finish. Very unique, and very good

M- medium bodied, on the thicker side. Maybe a little too much body

O- most winter warmers are overspiced and generally taste the same. This one though, it's a nice changeup from the normal, and something that's done very well. Well done, Highland

Serving type: bottle

02-25-2013 22:08:06 | More by bigfnjoe

plinythederek

North Carolina

5/5  rDev +24.1%

02-25-2013 02:36:52 | More by plinythederek

jerefreakinmiah

Texas

3.5/5  rDev -13.2%

02-24-2013 19:40:05 | More by jerefreakinmiah