Friday, January 19, 2007

Beer Tasting: Brooklyn Winter Ale



The Beer: Brooklyn Winter Ale [2006]
Style: Scottish-Style Ale
Reviews: Beer Advocate Rate Beer
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Packaging & Date Stamping: 12 oz. brown bottle; notched as "Best Before Apr. '07"

From where & how stored: Obtained through holiday beer exchange; stored at 52F since then

Pricing: $x.xx

Availability: Winter seasonal

ABV, IBU, and Other Available Stats: 6.0% ABV
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Bryan's Notes
The Look:
- mild carbonation and thin head
- extremely smooth/slick looking (a bit oily)
- reddish hue to this brown ale

The Aroma:
- a big malty slightly peaty nose, alcohol not too present
- a bit of woodsy bark detected

The Taste:
- faint toffee
- slight bitterness in the finish (when cold)
- becomes more even and drinkable as it warms (but, not to room temperature)

The Verdict: A very easy-drinking, non-offensive beer. Thinner than I expected, but probably good for a variety of tastes and experience levels with beer. Could be paired with a variety of foods, stew especially (oops, does the label actually suggest that? honestly, I thought it before I read it :) Serve closer to, but not at, room temperature...say 50-55F
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Adam's Notes
The Look:
- nice dark amber brown

The Aroma:
- inviting nose
- malty & earthy

The Taste:
- Wow! What a flavor. I wasn't expecting that.
- This is subtle like a Belgian.
- very drinkable
- as it warms the subtle sweet malt reveals its identity as a Scottish Style Ale
- reminds me of St. Bernardus in a way
- holy crap! I want a case of this to pair with food!

The Verdict: Honestly though I'm having a hard time describing this. I would say that it is the kind of beer that doesn't take center stage, but, would be a good supporting actor in a meal with meats and other savory flavors. Clean malty nutty lightly sweet meal in a glass. I was drinking this thinking it was nothing like what I remember it as. A whole new level for Brooklyn Brewery really. I just read on Beer Advocate that its a new recipe this year according to Garrett Oliver. Ok, now I feel better. whew!

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Please Contact Me!

I work for John Wiley & Sons publishers and we have published books on the business of breweries - The Brooklyn Brewery, Dogfish Head, and Guiness. I would like eith Adam or Bryan to contact me at pknox@wiley.com to provide me with a mailing address for me to send a complimentary copy. Thank you!