 Brooklyn Winter Ale |
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Brooklyn Winter Ale |
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Some years ago, Breweries started getting smart. If you were going to be a craft brewer aka microbrewery, you probably needed a winter seasonal brew. These beers, which sprang from the English tradition of Christmas ales and the German custom of brewing up Weihnachtsbier (Christmas beer), were often fuller bodied robust brews perfect for the cold winter months. Here in America, brewers thought it a good idea to cash in on that tradition. But the “Christmas Ale’ moniker had its limitations; after all, who pays full price for Christmas merchandise in January? Still, winter goes on long after the last present has been opened. So why not call your beer a “Winter Brew” instead? Thus, Brooklyn Winter Ale. Actually, Brooklyn already had a winter seasonal on the menu, their delightful Black Chocolate Stout, a deep, dark, and delicious imperial stout which is sought after by beer geeks far and wide each winter. Now, though, they have their Winter Ale, as well, a Scottish ale by style. Scottish ales are generally sweet and malt accented beers, and Brooklyn’s version is no exception. They are not as rich or strong as Scotch ales. Here again, Brooklyn Winter Ale is consistent to style at 6% alcohol by volume. Brooklyn says they use Scottish Maris Otter, English Crystal, Belgian aromatic, and American roasted malts, along with Willamette hops. Brooklyn Winter Ale pours to a deep ruby red color with a very light head formation and a sweet, sticky treacle nose. The sweetness of chewy caramel malt comes through right away as one sips, too, accented with perfumey hop aroma, a hint of chocolate, mince pie, toasted nuts, and molasses. The finish is on the sweet side, but not cloyingly so, and this is really a very drinkable brew. A very nicely done Scottish ale ala Belhaven, and one that would be welcome under this beer enthusiast’s tree every year. A bit pricey at $8.99 a six-pack, but after all, winter comes but once a year, don’t you know. Update 1/13/2014: As I enjoy a bottle of Brooklyn Winter Ale tonight, I am amazed at what a wonderful Scottish ale this beer. So soft and malty with notes of treacle and butter in the nose, then again in the palate, where it's also flinty and chewy with soft caramel malt notes. Just delightful, and a great example of a Scottish ale. Belhaven anyone? The neck label says: "We brew Brooklyn Winter Ale from heirloom Marris Otter malts to create an ale with roots in blustery Scotland, where winter comes early and leaves late. Brooklyn Winter Ale is richly malty, aromatic, full-bodied, and a perfect match for stews, roasts, and holiday dishes. " Brownie points for advising you on the label "Best before date printed on bottle". Even more that it still runs the same $8.99 a six-pack it did 5 years ago. My bottle asks that you enjoy it before March of 2014, which I am doing. And I concur, this soft, chewy malt delight is best enjoyed fresh, not with age. Still, it's a fine beer for January and February, not just the holiday season. It is, after all, a winter ale.
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 |
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