Here I go again in the middle of August expounding the virtues of a winter beer, in the middle of a thunderstorm no less. No matter. Most winter beers are big, bold, hearty brews, and I happen to love aging some of them throughout the year, sometimes hanging on to a bottle until the next holiday season to do a side by side comparison with that year's run. Sea Dog's Cabin Fever Winter Stock Ale is a beer that can stand the test of time. It's a winter warmer by style, a rich and satisfying ale with an elevated alcohol content.

Sea Dog has breweries in Bangor and Camden Maine, and uses the Peter Austin brewing system, which employs the Ringwood yeast strain. These are mainly brewpubs however, as the bottled beer is now contract brewed at the Shipyard Brewery in Portland (another Ringwood brewer.) A new Sea Dog brewpub recently opened in South Portland, but I suspect their beer comes from the Shipyard facility.

Cabin Fever Winter Stock Ale pours to a reddish-gold color with a light head formation and a mushroomy yeasty nose. The palate is rich and complex with flavor from malt, hops, and yeast. The malt contributes a rich, chewy yet crisp character which blends nicely with the yeast's hints of melon fruit and subtle butteriness, less than expected from a Ringwood ale. There's a big warming alcohol bite in the finish as well as an aggressive hop bitterness. All around, an exceptionally well represented brew in each ingredient department. Not really one I would recommend with food; it is best enjoyed by itself after a fine meal or at the end of the day.

 

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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