The wonderful thing about Christmas and winter seasonal beers is that they aren’t tied down to any one style. Just about any style you can think of has probably been done as a seasonal winter specialty brew. Some are spiced, some are not. Some are light, some are dark. Some are strong, some session beers. Some are hoppy, some are malty. It is definitely into the malty category that one would peg Blue Point Winter Ale from the Blue Point Brewing Company of Patchogue, New York.
I first enjoyed Blue Point Winter Ale on draft at Taco Mac back on December 23 of 2012, but I failed to take any tasting notes. For December of 2014, Blue Point is the featured brewery of the month, which means that the beer is available again as another credit in your Brewniversity studies. That gave me the opportunity to enjoy its rich malty pleasures once again, and I did.
Blue Point describes the beers as follows:
You might not look forward to the colder months of the year, but this brew is guaranteed to warm your insides. Careful, it may even warm your heart towards Winter as a whole. Our Winter Ale is a hearty and robust amber ale. Brewed to chase away the chill of cool Winter nights, it’s created with pale, Vienna, crystal and chocolate malts. This uncommon amber is brewed with a tasty balance of malt and hops, only during the cold months of the year. One of our most popular seasonal specialties, just remember this special ale is gone with Winter’s winds.
Blue Point Winter Ale has an alcohol content of 7% by volume and 25 IBUs. I paid just $5.25 for my 20 ounce mug.
That mug of Blue Pointer Winter Ale arrived a beautiful chestnut color with a moderate sized fluffy head formation and a soft nutty malt nose. Taking a sip, I got a creamy smooth body replete with luscious stewed malts, toasted nuts, and red berry fruit. A minty grassy hop bitterness finishes this one up nicely.
I love malty beers, and this tasty amber ale definitely satisfies my malt cravings. I really like the dry chocolate notes, light flintiness and more intense bitterness as it warms. Definitely a beer that’s a repeat buy for me, and in fact it already is.
And remember, try a new beer today, and drink outside the box.
*Pricing data accurate at time of review or latest update. For reference only, based on actual price paid by reviewer.
(B)=Bottled
(D)=Draft
(G)=Growler