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Cold Nose Winter Ale
Laughing Dog Brewing
- From:
- Laughing Dog Brewing
- Idaho, United States
- Style:
- Old Ale
- ABV:
- 6.9%
- Score:
- 85
- Avg:
- 3.77 | pDev: 12.73%
- Reviews:
- 35
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Retired
- Rated:
- Aug 03, 2014
- Added:
- Nov 08, 2007
- Wants:
- 3
- Gots:
- 0
Cold Nose Winter Ale, an American twist on an old beer style the Old Ale style of beer. We brew this beer with plenty of malt and hops then dry hop for that American style winter brew, this is the beer to warm you up after working or playing outside and perhaps getting your nose cold.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by ROGUE16:
More User Ratings:
Reviewed by flagmantho from Washington
3.33/5 rDev -11.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.25
3.33/5 rDev -11.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.25
Poured from 12oz bottle into a pint glass.
Appearance: dark red-brown hue, heavy on the red. Body is haze-free and has a nice effervescence. Head is a thin finger of frothy tan foam which didn't seem to hang around too long. The color is quite beautiful, though.
Smell: sweet malt underneath, but the main aroma is of harsh, resiny hops. It's a bit too prickly for my taste.
Taste: good old ale malt character like dates and tobacco; a nice, light ashiness is in there as well. However, the hops are just too raspy and distracting.
Mouthfeel: medium body with a decent level of carbonation and creaminess.
Overall: I couldn't really get into this beer. It has some redeeming qualities, but it lacks balance or finesse.
Mar 15, 2013Appearance: dark red-brown hue, heavy on the red. Body is haze-free and has a nice effervescence. Head is a thin finger of frothy tan foam which didn't seem to hang around too long. The color is quite beautiful, though.
Smell: sweet malt underneath, but the main aroma is of harsh, resiny hops. It's a bit too prickly for my taste.
Taste: good old ale malt character like dates and tobacco; a nice, light ashiness is in there as well. However, the hops are just too raspy and distracting.
Mouthfeel: medium body with a decent level of carbonation and creaminess.
Overall: I couldn't really get into this beer. It has some redeeming qualities, but it lacks balance or finesse.
Reviewed by Scotchboy from Idaho
3.58/5 rDev -5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
3.58/5 rDev -5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Cold Nose, 12oz bottle poured into a Rogue nonic.
A: Pours a dark caramel color, mostly transparent, with a sticky off-white head.
S: Nose is malty and a touch of herbal floral hops..maybe a bit of winter spice and orange zest. The malt is pretty one-dimensional, not too roasty or caramely.
T: Follows the nose, though its tough to put my finger on what stands out...malty again, with a fair amount of hop bitterness in the form of grapefruit rind and orange zest. Faint chocolate, spices.
MF: Decent light-medium mouthfeel. Good carbonation levels.
O: A run-of-the-mill Winter Warmer, not too sweet or overly hoppy. Though I couldn't really distinguish the flavors and aroma's, its a quality brew and almost exactly what I would expect for a no-name Winter Warmer.
Dec 27, 2011A: Pours a dark caramel color, mostly transparent, with a sticky off-white head.
S: Nose is malty and a touch of herbal floral hops..maybe a bit of winter spice and orange zest. The malt is pretty one-dimensional, not too roasty or caramely.
T: Follows the nose, though its tough to put my finger on what stands out...malty again, with a fair amount of hop bitterness in the form of grapefruit rind and orange zest. Faint chocolate, spices.
MF: Decent light-medium mouthfeel. Good carbonation levels.
O: A run-of-the-mill Winter Warmer, not too sweet or overly hoppy. Though I couldn't really distinguish the flavors and aroma's, its a quality brew and almost exactly what I would expect for a no-name Winter Warmer.
Reviewed by isualum12 from Idaho
3.25/5 rDev -13.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3
3.25/5 rDev -13.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3
Let me start by saying how much I am in love with Laughing dog brewing. They are one of the best in the northwest in a crowded field.
look- Nice looking with a dark brown tone. close to zero visablity. The head looks good at first but quickly leaves you looking for it.
smell- Lots of hops
taste- There is a lot of hops showing on this where I didn't expect it. Its not a black IPA but it kinda feels like one..
feel- lots of activity in the mouth.
overall- Not my fav. I am not a big fan of it all. I was testing it for a Christmas beer party it won't make my list.
Dec 12, 2011look- Nice looking with a dark brown tone. close to zero visablity. The head looks good at first but quickly leaves you looking for it.
smell- Lots of hops
taste- There is a lot of hops showing on this where I didn't expect it. Its not a black IPA but it kinda feels like one..
feel- lots of activity in the mouth.
overall- Not my fav. I am not a big fan of it all. I was testing it for a Christmas beer party it won't make my list.
Reviewed by eclipse54 from Minnesota
3.11/5 rDev -17.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3
3.11/5 rDev -17.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3
A 12 ounce bottle split amongst myself and two others at a small winter-themed tasting. Review is from my notes; 2010 vintage.
It pours a clear brown color with faded cream-colored head; it fades at a moderate pace and leaves more lacing than anticipated. It smells of overpowering mint. Taste is the same, prominently mint with some other herbs breaking through; faint malt and some clove and barley are barely detectable. Mouthfeel is relatively smooth save for a slight caramel texture to it; this particular bottle seemed undercarbonated. The mint is far to strong for me to drink more than one of these.
Jul 15, 2011It pours a clear brown color with faded cream-colored head; it fades at a moderate pace and leaves more lacing than anticipated. It smells of overpowering mint. Taste is the same, prominently mint with some other herbs breaking through; faint malt and some clove and barley are barely detectable. Mouthfeel is relatively smooth save for a slight caramel texture to it; this particular bottle seemed undercarbonated. The mint is far to strong for me to drink more than one of these.
Reviewed by Dhren1979 from Illinois
2.28/5 rDev -39.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 1.5
2.28/5 rDev -39.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 1.5
Vintage: 2010
Serving Type: 12oz bottle poured into a Tulip Glass.
A: Pours a reddish, dark brown with thick foamy head. Lacing is ample and sticky.
S: Sweet caramel is dominate and really nothing else can be distinguished. Took me a moment to pinpoint the aroma because never smelt this aroma before.
T: Astringent!! Not a good taste at all. Hard to place this taste. No more!!
M: Medium body with bad after taste. Bitter bit not in a good way at all.
D: No, not really. Not sure if I got a bad batch or what. Not good. Had a unique aroma which was present but taste is horrible.
Mar 10, 2011Serving Type: 12oz bottle poured into a Tulip Glass.
A: Pours a reddish, dark brown with thick foamy head. Lacing is ample and sticky.
S: Sweet caramel is dominate and really nothing else can be distinguished. Took me a moment to pinpoint the aroma because never smelt this aroma before.
T: Astringent!! Not a good taste at all. Hard to place this taste. No more!!
M: Medium body with bad after taste. Bitter bit not in a good way at all.
D: No, not really. Not sure if I got a bad batch or what. Not good. Had a unique aroma which was present but taste is horrible.
Reviewed by UMNbeerhunter from Minnesota
3.88/5 rDev +2.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
3.88/5 rDev +2.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Very thick brown head poured from a 12oz into a town hall barrel age week glass.
Pours black with tons of head that is very thick and dissipates to %60 lacing.
Smell is not a lot. I wanted more from this beer as it is a winter ale. I guess I thought it was going to be more like a DIS/RIS since it poured so dark.
Taste is tough to pull out. I think there is not enough chocolate and Coffee.
Mouthfeel medium and the taste releases very soon. I have had better.
Drinkability is moderate. I want to try this again fresh but to be honest the pour is misleading.
Feb 28, 2011Pours black with tons of head that is very thick and dissipates to %60 lacing.
Smell is not a lot. I wanted more from this beer as it is a winter ale. I guess I thought it was going to be more like a DIS/RIS since it poured so dark.
Taste is tough to pull out. I think there is not enough chocolate and Coffee.
Mouthfeel medium and the taste releases very soon. I have had better.
Drinkability is moderate. I want to try this again fresh but to be honest the pour is misleading.
Reviewed by jdense from Oregon
3.53/5 rDev -6.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
3.53/5 rDev -6.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
12 oz. bottle from the Co-op Boise, poured into a pint glass, 1.19.11.
One finger tan head, medium dissipation with above average lacing. Deep brownish amber, clear, with some garnet highlights visible when held up to the light. Funky nose, a bit of ash, faint bit of roast with chocolate almost negligible, floral hops. Chocolate is more noticeable in the taste, more dark than milk, the ash is once again in the center, not much roast character, some piney resin on back end. Caramel became more prevalent once the beer warmed. Mouthfeel is medium, chalky, not a lot of effervescence. Fairly smooth drinking, but IMO not all that tasty. Need to amp up the roast and could use more aromatic hops.
Jan 20, 2011One finger tan head, medium dissipation with above average lacing. Deep brownish amber, clear, with some garnet highlights visible when held up to the light. Funky nose, a bit of ash, faint bit of roast with chocolate almost negligible, floral hops. Chocolate is more noticeable in the taste, more dark than milk, the ash is once again in the center, not much roast character, some piney resin on back end. Caramel became more prevalent once the beer warmed. Mouthfeel is medium, chalky, not a lot of effervescence. Fairly smooth drinking, but IMO not all that tasty. Need to amp up the roast and could use more aromatic hops.
Reviewed by Overlord from California
2.67/5 rDev -29.2%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5
2.67/5 rDev -29.2%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5
Thanks for the extra!
Pours brown with a quarter inch of tan foam that quickly dies. Kind of an ugly semi-translucent brown color.
Smells like peated malt, a bit of ... char? ...weird ... and not much else. Maybe a hint of some sort of indeterminate spice.
Tastes like it went bad, but I notice a few other reviewers noting the same thing. Kind of an astringent, grain-y charred alcohol finish. Very, very unpleasant. The base beer is a fairly bland slightly earthy, nutty choco malt.
Too flat and thin.
Jan 14, 2011Pours brown with a quarter inch of tan foam that quickly dies. Kind of an ugly semi-translucent brown color.
Smells like peated malt, a bit of ... char? ...weird ... and not much else. Maybe a hint of some sort of indeterminate spice.
Tastes like it went bad, but I notice a few other reviewers noting the same thing. Kind of an astringent, grain-y charred alcohol finish. Very, very unpleasant. The base beer is a fairly bland slightly earthy, nutty choco malt.
Too flat and thin.
Reviewed by RonfromJersey from New Jersey
4/5 rDev +6.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4/5 rDev +6.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Light brown/red, with plenty of haziness.Two fingers of lightly beige froth.
Roasty malt aroma with a coffee undertow.
Taste is roasty, learning towards coffeee, but with a hint of chocolate. Earthy hop zing at the swallow.
Ok mouthfeel, perhaps a little zippy for the trip.
Very good drinkability.
More like a winter porter than a winter warmer, but very good indeed.
Mar 14, 2010Roasty malt aroma with a coffee undertow.
Taste is roasty, learning towards coffeee, but with a hint of chocolate. Earthy hop zing at the swallow.
Ok mouthfeel, perhaps a little zippy for the trip.
Very good drinkability.
More like a winter porter than a winter warmer, but very good indeed.
Reviewed by jwc215 from Arizona
4.2/5 rDev +11.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4.2/5 rDev +11.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pours brown with orangeish/reddish hues. A creamy tan cover leaves trailing lace.
The smell is of caramel with a mild minty, piney, spicy hop touch.
The taste is of caramel/toffee with piney, herbal/spicy hops. The malt and hops keep their own complexities and complement one another well. Leans towards the medium-to-dark maltiness, as expected for a winter warmer, but with a complex hop touch that balances it and adds depth of flavor. Semi-sweet turns to a dryish, bitterish finish.
It hits full-bodied, with a slight tingle of carbonation. It is smooth. A nice, long aftertaste lingers.
This is a winter warmer that shows sweet malt and bitter hops that converge well. Certainly "drinkable", it's a malt-forward with a complex hop backing that is sure to please in the cold of winter. Certainly a nice change-up with the use of hops to give a wintery spicing rather than actual spices. A winter warmer with a hop kick done well! NICE!
Feb 08, 2010The smell is of caramel with a mild minty, piney, spicy hop touch.
The taste is of caramel/toffee with piney, herbal/spicy hops. The malt and hops keep their own complexities and complement one another well. Leans towards the medium-to-dark maltiness, as expected for a winter warmer, but with a complex hop touch that balances it and adds depth of flavor. Semi-sweet turns to a dryish, bitterish finish.
It hits full-bodied, with a slight tingle of carbonation. It is smooth. A nice, long aftertaste lingers.
This is a winter warmer that shows sweet malt and bitter hops that converge well. Certainly "drinkable", it's a malt-forward with a complex hop backing that is sure to please in the cold of winter. Certainly a nice change-up with the use of hops to give a wintery spicing rather than actual spices. A winter warmer with a hop kick done well! NICE!
Reviewed by GeoffFromSJ from New Jersey
4/5 rDev +6.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4/5 rDev +6.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
I know it is listed as a Winter Warmer, and that may be so. But to me this is a Black IPA.
Some roastiness. But Cascade hops dominate. Maybe some other hops are in there as well. Whatever the case, hops totally dominate. And then the chocolate malt pops in. Complexity seems to be coming in from the hops.
Reminds me somewhat of Hop Devil...if Hop Devil had a darker appearance.
Jan 10, 2010Some roastiness. But Cascade hops dominate. Maybe some other hops are in there as well. Whatever the case, hops totally dominate. And then the chocolate malt pops in. Complexity seems to be coming in from the hops.
Reminds me somewhat of Hop Devil...if Hop Devil had a darker appearance.
Reviewed by JerzDevl2000 from New Jersey
4.06/5 rDev +7.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
4.06/5 rDev +7.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Never had a beer from the Gem State before and when I saw this on the shelves near me recently, I gave it a try. Not only was it something that I've never had before, but it wasn't from around here as well. Given that, this beer was one of the better surprises that I've had in recent months and with the snow falling pretty good outside tonight, there's not much else I could see myself having!
I like the pour to this although the head and lacing left a bit to be desired. The deep opaque brown hue and aroma were pretty potent when put together! The taste is just like how everyone described it on here - caramel and roasted malts, some butterscotch, plum, current, and a very hoppy aftertaste that leans toward the earthy and floral side. There's no doubt that this is a winter warmer and had I not seen the ABV% on here, I would have felt that it was around 8-8.5%. It's not so much that the taste of it is there, but this beer has just a hint of spice and enough warmth to give the impression that it's strong when in actuality, it's balanced pretty well.
No doubt this was a good buy and a welcome change from the holiday beers and stouts that are filling up the stores around me now. Those aren't bad choice but for something different, this certainly fits the bill. It almost has the feeling of an Anchor beer but with a little bit more earthiness and feel of a brown ale to it. Kudos to Laughing Dog for getting Idaho on the map and making sure that an east coast beer lover like me got a chance to try this!
Dec 20, 2009I like the pour to this although the head and lacing left a bit to be desired. The deep opaque brown hue and aroma were pretty potent when put together! The taste is just like how everyone described it on here - caramel and roasted malts, some butterscotch, plum, current, and a very hoppy aftertaste that leans toward the earthy and floral side. There's no doubt that this is a winter warmer and had I not seen the ABV% on here, I would have felt that it was around 8-8.5%. It's not so much that the taste of it is there, but this beer has just a hint of spice and enough warmth to give the impression that it's strong when in actuality, it's balanced pretty well.
No doubt this was a good buy and a welcome change from the holiday beers and stouts that are filling up the stores around me now. Those aren't bad choice but for something different, this certainly fits the bill. It almost has the feeling of an Anchor beer but with a little bit more earthiness and feel of a brown ale to it. Kudos to Laughing Dog for getting Idaho on the map and making sure that an east coast beer lover like me got a chance to try this!
Reviewed by Gavage from Nevada
3.83/5 rDev +1.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
3.83/5 rDev +1.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Appearance: brown in color with a thick fluffy 2" tan colored head. Nice lace paints the glass.
Smell: malt sweetness and floral hop bitterness are very pleasant on the nose.
Taste: roasted malts, hint of chocolate, some spiciness, molasses, and a hearty bitterness are well balanced.
Mouthfeel: medium bodied beer. Lightly crisp to start, smoother and a bit dry at the finish. Aftertaste is short lived.
Drinkability: this is lighter in body than expected so it goes down pretty quickly. Not a bad beer and a few of these could be had in a session.
Nov 14, 2009Smell: malt sweetness and floral hop bitterness are very pleasant on the nose.
Taste: roasted malts, hint of chocolate, some spiciness, molasses, and a hearty bitterness are well balanced.
Mouthfeel: medium bodied beer. Lightly crisp to start, smoother and a bit dry at the finish. Aftertaste is short lived.
Drinkability: this is lighter in body than expected so it goes down pretty quickly. Not a bad beer and a few of these could be had in a session.
Reviewed by BuckeyeNation from Iowa
3.95/5 rDev +4.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
3.95/5 rDev +4.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
"If you ever reach total enlightenment while drinking beer, I bet it makes beer shoot out your nose."
--Jack Handy
Beautiful burgundy with burnt orange trim. A lovely crown of caramel nougat colored cream rests atop the beer and stays for a spell. It melts in attractive fashion and lays down a good bit of sudsy lace. Nice one.
Even though both roasted and caramel malts are present, aromas of caramel-toffee and butterscotch dominate. The beer also has a pleasant and complementary hoppiness born of Cascade, East Kent Goldings and Tettnanger. This is shaping up to be a pretty good winter warmer.
Cold Nose Winter Ale is lip smackingly good beer. It's amazing how much of the hoppiness has hung around, since I'm sure this bottle was released last winter. Then again, 66 IBUs was a pretty lofty place to start, especially for beer of this style.
As in the nose, caramel-toffee-butterscotch-brown sugar notes lead the way. However, the sooty char of well-roasted malt is appreciated behind the scenes, adding yet another level of flavor interest. The hops are both fruity and herbal... and are kicking like a (baby) mule. This stuff must have been a bitter beast when fresh.
Considering the ABV (6.9%), the mouthfeel isn't that out of line. Age may have taken a slight toll, but it's a shade too thin and isn't quite as creamy as it could be. On the other hand, I could just as easily have gone with the next highest score.
Cold Nose Winter Ale is a winter warmer with attitude. Or is that hopitude? Laughing Dog has themselves a winner here. I would definitely buy a sixer or two every winter if I lived in their distribution area.
Aug 01, 2009--Jack Handy
Beautiful burgundy with burnt orange trim. A lovely crown of caramel nougat colored cream rests atop the beer and stays for a spell. It melts in attractive fashion and lays down a good bit of sudsy lace. Nice one.
Even though both roasted and caramel malts are present, aromas of caramel-toffee and butterscotch dominate. The beer also has a pleasant and complementary hoppiness born of Cascade, East Kent Goldings and Tettnanger. This is shaping up to be a pretty good winter warmer.
Cold Nose Winter Ale is lip smackingly good beer. It's amazing how much of the hoppiness has hung around, since I'm sure this bottle was released last winter. Then again, 66 IBUs was a pretty lofty place to start, especially for beer of this style.
As in the nose, caramel-toffee-butterscotch-brown sugar notes lead the way. However, the sooty char of well-roasted malt is appreciated behind the scenes, adding yet another level of flavor interest. The hops are both fruity and herbal... and are kicking like a (baby) mule. This stuff must have been a bitter beast when fresh.
Considering the ABV (6.9%), the mouthfeel isn't that out of line. Age may have taken a slight toll, but it's a shade too thin and isn't quite as creamy as it could be. On the other hand, I could just as easily have gone with the next highest score.
Cold Nose Winter Ale is a winter warmer with attitude. Or is that hopitude? Laughing Dog has themselves a winner here. I would definitely buy a sixer or two every winter if I lived in their distribution area.
Reviewed by maximum12 from Minnesota
2.57/5 rDev -31.8%
look: 3 | smell: 1 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3
2.57/5 rDev -31.8%
look: 3 | smell: 1 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3
Thanks to ThirstyHopHead for dropping this extra into a trade. Never heard of this brewery, always good to branch out.
Cold Nose is a amber/brown, and looks lovely - oh, wait, that's my lovely Lost Abbey chalice. Smell is a bit off-putting, like ass after you've exercised a bit too much. That can't be good.
Thankfully the rank odor doesn't carry over into the taste, which is OK. The spicing is subtle, which is nice in a winter warmer. Other than that nothing jumps out.
Decent enough beer, but that smell...meh.
May 02, 2009Cold Nose is a amber/brown, and looks lovely - oh, wait, that's my lovely Lost Abbey chalice. Smell is a bit off-putting, like ass after you've exercised a bit too much. That can't be good.
Thankfully the rank odor doesn't carry over into the taste, which is OK. The spicing is subtle, which is nice in a winter warmer. Other than that nothing jumps out.
Decent enough beer, but that smell...meh.
Cold Nose Winter Ale from Laughing Dog Brewing
Beer rating:
85 out of
100 with
40 ratings
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