Otter Creek never ceases to amaze me with the fantastic job they do getting fresh beer to the consumer. I never have trouble purchasing their beers within a month or two of bottling, and although it is true this is a seasonal product and therefore one would expect it to be fresh around the holidays, I can always find their other brews in great condition also. When I purchased my annual supply of this brew back in early December of 1999, it went from brewer to distributor to retailer to my beer fridge in less than a month's time. That is a pretty impressive feat these days for microbrews with the intense competition between brands.

A Winter's Ale is described on the label as being "in the tradition of the
famous dark ales of Scotland". This is something of a different offering for the holidays, but its richness makes it a natural. The brew has a very dark ruby color, light head formation, and a sweet nutty-malty nose. The palate is bolder than the prior year's version I believe, with a pronounced sweet maltiness and some subtle roasty character. Otter Creek's signature nutty, fresh malty flavor is here too. Finish is balanced but by no means hoppy. A very robust beer indeed, a good take on the style and a nice brew for a cold winter night.

It's not bad on a warm summer's night either. I am drinking one of several bottles I had stashed away in one of my beer refrigerators on an early August evening, and its richness can be appreciated just before bed with a book (on beer, naturally). I have a habit of buying more of a seasonal beer than I can drink and then storing them in small refrigerators I have dedicated solely to beer. This works extremely well with winter beers, which I will then break out in the warm summer months.

This robust brew is a natural with red meats; I have enjoyed it with prime rib au jus in the past to great effect.

Update, December 28, 2000: Once again, Otter Creek provides a triumph with their seasonal winter ale. Deep and dark in color, the brew promises flavor and definitely delivers. Nutty malty, chewy and rich, this is a beer to be savored by a heart fire. Enjoy it, if you can get it.

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