Saranac Winter Wassail - Matt Brewing Company

Jason

Massachusetts

3.05/5  rDev -2.2%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

12 oz bottle with no freshness date.

A- Reddish amber hued brew, the clarity is fine but the lacing just ok.

S- Clove, musty cinnamon with some mineral and earthiness in the back.

T&M- Ale twang tangles with the spice character. Medium bodied with a slick smoothness on the palate. Mild hopping, bitterness seems a bit muted against the semi-sweet caramel like maltiness. Spicing is modest but present. Faint roasted grain undertone in the finish.

D- The spice, hop and malt mix just don't mesh right for me ... everything seems a tad out of balance. Not bad but I have certainly have had better.

Serving type: bottle

01-23-2008 02:41:59 | More by Jason

BGsWo22

New York

1.5/5  rDev -51.9%

03-21-2013 00:06:37 | More by BGsWo22

cliff1066

Virginia

3.25/5  rDev +4.2%

01-11-2013 06:34:06 | More by cliff1066

mitch3114

New York

2/5  rDev -35.9%

06-21-2012 03:55:27 | More by mitch3114

OriolesFan1008

Maryland

2.5/5  rDev -19.9%

06-07-2012 15:13:32 | More by OriolesFan1008

drtth

Pennsylvania

3/5  rDev -3.8%

05-01-2012 01:30:40 | More by drtth

TheRuss9585

Vermont

2.5/5  rDev -19.9%

03-28-2012 20:10:12 | More by TheRuss9585

imperialking

Illinois

3/5  rDev -3.8%

01-23-2012 05:00:52 | More by imperialking

claspada

New Jersey

3.25/5  rDev +4.2%

12-08-2011 14:18:58 | More by claspada

JohneHoodlum

Pennsylvania

3/5  rDev -3.8%

12-07-2011 01:53:54 | More by JohneHoodlum

rab53

Massachusetts

3/5  rDev -3.8%

12-02-2011 04:21:10 | More by rab53

djrn2

New Jersey

3/5  rDev -3.8%

12-01-2011 23:31:19 | More by djrn2

waiting4lunch

Massachusetts

3/5  rDev -3.8%

11-18-2011 17:08:35 | More by waiting4lunch

tclapper

North Carolina

3/5  rDev -3.8%

11-17-2011 21:41:31 | More by tclapper

fmccormi

New York

3/5  rDev -3.8%

11-14-2011 22:18:05 | More by fmccormi

Knapp85

Pennsylvania

2.95/5  rDev -5.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

This beer poured out with a similar red color to what the Anchor Special Ale looks like. The head is minimal along with the lacing. The smell of the beer had some nice spices in there and some pretty good malt aromas too. The taste was a bit watered down in my opinion. Rather disappointing with how light the flavor aspect of this beer was. The mouthfeel was also thin, not overly impressed with what this brew had going for it. Overall I had this once a while back and I don't miss it.

Serving type: bottle

06-19-2011 20:17:36 | More by Knapp85

mikesgroove

South Carolina

3.18/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

i have been assembling full lineups from breweries and randomly doin these horizontal tasings with my family. The saranac one from a couple weeks ago was more then epic as it took months to gather all of these, but it was a hell of a fun night!

clear amber with a good two finger head of white foam on top. Nice side glass presentation after a somewhat slow fade. Decent amount of carbonation coming up from the bottom.

A good amount of nutmeg, maybe a touch of cinnamon and a nice piney aroma rising up through it,The flavor was very nice, goo strong ale with a nice roundd spiceness and a hop fueled finish. Touch of almost a wood like smoked flavor lying deep within and a nice rounded profile. A touch on the sweet side as it warmed, Lighter then I would have thought this was like a nice session ale. Nice smooth feel with a good lingering tastes finished as it was just that good. Light ABV and body made this one you could sip on all night.

Now overall this one was very nice.

Serving type: bottle

04-28-2011 23:23:01 | More by mikesgroove

mgbickel

Pennsylvania

3.05/5  rDev -2.2%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Poured into a pint glass...amber-brown in color, 1 finger head...little lacing.

Toasted Nutmeg, Allspice and Orange
Peel tickles the nose.

Nutmeg and fermented fruit are the prevailing tastes...undertones of cinnamon.

Light to medium Mouth feel.

Not a bad seasonal brew...goes down pretty smooth, but nothing special.

Serving type: bottle

11-26-2009 18:05:02 | More by mgbickel

TheFightfan1

Pennsylvania

2.98/5  rDev -4.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

pours a crystal clear brown with an off white heading. Decent lacing throughout.

Smell is of clove very subtle hops and sweet malts but a yeasty aroma pulls through.

Taste is of burnt caramel and burnt malts topped with a bittering hops.Gives you a sugary kiss that sticks on the lips.

Mouth has a slight sting on the tongue.Medium bodied and a slight sugary overcarbonation.

Drink is drinkable but nothing really standing out about this beer to try it again decent but nothing stellar.

Serving type: bottle

08-18-2009 23:45:57 | More by TheFightfan1

Derek

British Columbia (Canada)

2.55/5  rDev -18.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

I'm review this with the style in mind...

A: Bubbly, amber-brown, light tan head, slight leg/lace.

S: Light spicing, cloves, nutmeg, toffee and a little vegetal/cabbage aroma.

T: Grainy & spicy with a slight astringency.

M: Light to moderate body, very dry.

D: Definitely below average.

Serving type: bottle

03-27-2009 00:44:10 | More by Derek

northyorksammy

Ontario (Canada)

3.03/5  rDev -2.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Thanks Jason for sharing. A winter warmer, or a vegetable beer, I think the latter. Spicey. Advertises the spice, they are faint of cinammon, nutmeg, orange and allspice. Above-average carbonation, a bit of yeast, sourish finish. Lacey and a head. A marginal passable beer.

Serving type: bottle

03-27-2009 00:37:52 | More by northyorksammy

MTNboy

Germany

3.5/5  rDev +12.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

It has a dark amber body with just a little bit of head. The lacing is tight all the way to the bottom of the glass. The dark amber body is hazy from all the little carbonation bubbles in it. This beer has a yeasty spice aroma. The taste is that of dark roasted malt. It is very rich in flavor complimented by a bit of spicy flavors. There is also a little bit of burnt bread like flavor. The mouthfeel is quite a bit fizzy with a medium body.

Serving type: bottle

12-30-2008 12:54:14 | More by MTNboy

yesyouam

New York

2.83/5  rDev -9.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 3

Saranac Winter Wassail is a very clear and sparkling amber ale with a big frothy off-white head that leaves excellent lacing. The aroma is of sweet, bready malt with a good dose of nutmeg and a little cinnamon. It's fresh, but muted. The hops suggest a Christmas tree. It's quite light-bodied and fluffy. It's a little tannic on the roof of the mouth and the finish is gritty. It's a bit sweet and a bit bitter. There is an odd, rather metallic flavor in there. The bitterness hangs in my mouth like mistletoe. It's a very 'green' flavor. The nutmeg is detectable. Meh. I guess I'm always down for a spiced ale.
(rated Dec 14, 2007)

Serving type: bottle

12-20-2008 04:19:35 | More by yesyouam

WVbeergeek

Ohio

2.65/5  rDev -15.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2

Appears a ruby brown tone with a light beige head dwindling quickly after the initial vigorous pour. Light scattered lacing surrounds the sides of my glass. Aroma has evident citrus peels and holiday spices according to the label cinnamon, nutmeg, and all spice. A real upfront burst of caramel sweetness and fruity accents noted as well, a bit muted overall. Flavors get consumed by spicing and orange peel bitterness, not much balance to write about, just a ride of citrus and spice that consumes the palate. Mouthfeel is medium bodied with assertive carbonation flowing, nothing really overpowers but the spice lacquer it leaves on my tongue. Drinkability is pretty weak I don't believe I will be reaching for the next Winter Wassail ale, nice beer to pass onto guests during the holidays.

Serving type: bottle

10-27-2008 21:20:59 | More by WVbeergeek

engisch

New Jersey

2.98/5  rDev -4.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

This beer poured a clear bronze amber. It looks like a good beer with good color and a little bit of head. Its aroma is of malt and heavy holiday spices. The flavor is holiday spices and sweetness. Not my favorite brew, but it is interesting. Reminds me of pumpkin ales, but with a different taste. You definitely have to be in the mood for this kind of beer. Not bad, but not gonna be one of my top picks for beer.

Serving type: bottle

09-30-2008 03:54:22 | More by engisch