Pursuit Of Happiness Winter Warmer
Clay Pipe Brewing Company

Pursuit Of Happiness Winter WarmerPursuit Of Happiness Winter Warmer
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From:
Clay Pipe Brewing Company
 
Maryland, United States
Style:
Winter Warmer
ABV:
8.25%
Score:
87
Avg:
3.89 | pDev: 11.05%
Reviews:
50
Ratings:
51
Status:
Retired
Rated:
Mar 18, 2012
Added:
Dec 21, 2003
Wants:
  0
Gots:
  0
No description / notes.
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Rated: 3.5 by TMoney2591 from Illinois

Mar 18, 2012
Photo of OWSLEY069
Reviewed by OWSLEY069 from Pennsylvania

2.53/5  rDev -35%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5
Pours a clean copper color with a small off white head. In the aroma, malty, cinnamon, and a hint of lemon citrus. In the taste, small hop, small maltiness and faint cinnamon flavor. A small cinnamon bite and medium bodied mouthfeel, with a semi dry cinnamon aftertaste. Lots of cinnamon, however somewhat lacking in flavor.
Jun 08, 2010
Photo of morimech
Reviewed by morimech from Minnesota

3.56/5  rDev -8.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Pours a dark amber with a bit of haze from the yeast. A large foamy head forms and has great retention. Massive amount of lacing is left on the glass. This is a very attractive looking beer and even more impressive considering it is a winter warmer. This beer gets its spice notes from the hops. Citrus is picked up in the nose. Not much else except for some doughy bread. Mildly hoppy in flavor with the citrus again in the forefront. Has a caramel malt charactor as well. Nice flavor but not all that exciting. Not enough body to carry the high ABV. Carbonation is adequate that lends a good texture. Could be a great beer with some adjustment to the malt bill.
Jan 17, 2010
Photo of Traquairlover
Reviewed by Traquairlover from Virginia

3.63/5  rDev -6.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5
12-oz bottle poured into a pint glass.

A = Amber liquid with two finger bone white head that leaves very heavy lacing as it slowly settles into a thin layer of foam on the surface. Liquid is slightly hazy, but that adds a certain attractiveness to it.

S & T = Strong pine scents hit first but warm cinnamon buns are right behind. In the taste there is a good bitterness at the tip of the tongue that continues into a long finish, right at mid-palate there are some sweeter flavors like an orange marmalade covered croissant. There are also hints of some tartness like a mulled wine that hasn't had any sugar added. This is really mostly like a DIPA with some more spice character, with strong hops, but a large malt profile, too.

M = Medium to medium-heavy body, very silky feeling, lively carbonation but of a more foaming type than a bubbling, stinging type.

D = I like this quite a bit. I think one at a time is probably sufficient, but it goes down easily enough and I could see revisiting it next year.
Dec 30, 2009
Photo of jnfs
Reviewed by jnfs from Oklahoma

4.42/5  rDev +13.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
This is a moderately carbonated amber colored ale with a small, yet noticable amount of head. Aromas of lemons orange and hops are noticable . Also, it smells sweet with some notes of carmel and peach. The taste is smooth with a slight sticky bitterness that fades nicely into a slight maltiness with bitter notes on the finish. This is a nice beer.
Dec 27, 2009
Photo of u2carew
Reviewed by u2carew from Massachusetts

4.2/5  rDev +8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5
12oz longneck. Consumed 12/17/09
A) pours with a two finger head. Tight and fairly sticky lacing. Clear body. Mellow upward carbonation. Amber in color.
S) Evergreen tree. Grapefruit. Sweet malt notes.
T) A diverse taste - wow! Nutty. Caramel. Sweet grapefruit. Not your typical winter warmer. I'd go so far as to say closer to an IPA.
M) Creamy. Medium body. Light fizziness. Just a hint of metallic feel.
D) A delicious brew. Well done Clay Pot!
Dec 17, 2009
Photo of rapidsequence
Reviewed by rapidsequence from Virginia

4.22/5  rDev +8.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
12 oz bottle purchased at Magnolia Foods in Lynchburg for the (presumably) obscene price of $2.09.

Appearance: Clear amber, actually amber colored, the color of amber, not red or brown. Nice head, excellent lacing.

Smell: What's going on here? This smells big and hoppy. Fresh, floral, somewhat citrusy, and a little sweet. Umm, not what I expected, but really good. Smells almost wet-hopped.

Taste: Sweet floral and citrusy hops. Light but balanced malt backbone and a sweet, clean finish.

Mouthfeel: I dont know what I'm rating here. It feels neither thin nor overly full. I'm still confused.

Drinkability: Well I just noticed this is more than 8% abv. What the hell? No detectable EtOH. NONE! This tastes like a really good, hoppy pale ale. Not what I expect from a winter warmer, but really tasty.
Dec 05, 2009
Photo of ScarletLady
Reviewed by ScarletLady from Maryland

3.92/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Got to try the current 2009 release of Pursuit of Happiness, one of my favorites of the winter seasonals this evening. Served on draft.

A - nice deep amber color with a hint of red. Nice tight 1/2 in. head with a bit of lacing

S - surprisingly hoppy, more so over last year's release or maybe it was just because it was so fresh

T - hops moving to a bit of pine. nicely balanced with a hint of malt sweetness but finishing with a good hop bitter

M - good, not too thin or thick, right where it should be

D - good. didn't disappoint and will definitely be buying a case (or 2) this season
Nov 10, 2009
Photo of ClockworkOrange
Reviewed by ClockworkOrange from Pennsylvania

3.88/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
A 12 ounce bottle poured into a standard shaker glass. Appears a clear dark copper color with an inch of creamy bone white foam. Nose and flavor are of earthy spicy hops, citrus such as tangerine, nice caramel/molasses malty notes. Bordering on full bodied for the style and adequately carbonated as well. Worth a try.
Jun 01, 2009
Photo of number1bum
Reviewed by number1bum from Pennsylvania

3.9/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Part of NEPA BC split #20.

Pours a dark amber color with a reddish tint to it and a finger and a half of light tan head. Settles to a thin lace and leaves a good amount of stick on the sides.

Big hoppy nose up front, with citrus and a bit of pine, in particular. Behind it is some honey sweetness but it's pretty one dimensional. Luckily it's a dimension I enjoy.

Taste is also quite hoppy, with a good dose of floral, citrusy hops. It's got a good amount of sweetness, too, with honey in particular, as well as some caramel. Lots of honey flavor in the finish, actually; almost a bit too much, but it doesn't get cloyingly sweet because of some hop bitterness in the finish. It comes close to crossing the line but toes it nicely.

Mouthfeel is a medium body, nicely carbonated and pretty smooth. Only reason I knock drinkability down a peg is because the honey flavor started to wear on me toward the bottom of the glass.

I've also been enjoying Troegs Scratch 16 lately - another non-spiced, heavily hopped winter warmer - but I must say that I like this a bit more. The hop profile is more appealing to me even though there isn't as much malt character. Pretty solid, tasty brew.
Feb 11, 2009
Photo of krisandajt
Reviewed by krisandajt from Pennsylvania

3.26/5  rDev -16.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Picked up a case down in Baltimore while visiting family...finally got to sit down and try one.

Appearance: Pours a nice deep amber color. Maybe a cm of head, fades pretty quickly. Nice lacing.

Smell: Bland smell. Can pick up some of the malts, but very faint.

Taste: Not too bad. Simple, nothing really stands out to me. Some sweetness up front, slight bitter at the end. No real highs or lows.

Mouthfeel: Outstanding. Very smooth, goes down nice and easy. Very little carbonation so there's no fizz.

Drinkability: An average winter warmer. Not a bad choice if you just want to sit back and relax one night since it's very simple. Not exactly my style for beer, but not bad.
Feb 08, 2009
Photo of johnyeast
Reviewed by johnyeast from Colorado

3/5  rDev -22.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Copper in color with a slight white head. Not much in the way of smell. A copper/ metallic taste in the beginning. Has a bitter end. The bitterness that is not the hops. Malty taste. An okay beer. It wants to be a winter warmer but comes up a bit short.
Jan 12, 2009
Photo of kshankar
Reviewed by kshankar from Oregon

4/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Appearance: Copper and clear. Nice tannish head with decent retention.

Aroma: Malts, spices and some hops come through as well.

Taste: The malts are pretty noticeable, there is a good hop flavor that comes from it as well..alongside the mild spice notes that are there

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied, creamy

Drinkability: ABV is good for this style, nice mouthfeel, good taste, and does "warm" one up..not really one you can have a few of..but still good
Jan 10, 2009
Photo of Deuane
Reviewed by Deuane from Pennsylvania

3.88/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
A-Deep copper with a medium tan head that reduces to a thin cap and leaves a nice webbed lace pattern.

S-Somewhat light spicy, orange/apricot hop aroma with a backing of sweet caramel malt.

T-Hearty malt backbone nicely complimented by a healthy hop bill consisting of apricot and orange fruitiness, a bit of spiciness and a hint of brown sugar.

M-Medium body with a sharp, lingering hop spiciness. Surprised this beer is 8+%, it sure doesnt feel that big.

D-Nice, a pleasant non-spiced, hop hearty winter warmer, a la SN Celebration. Certainly not in that class as it could use a bit of tweaking to bring everything "up". I certainly wouldn't turn down another.
Dec 18, 2008
Photo of BeerSox
Reviewed by BeerSox from Virginia

3.65/5  rDev -6.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
12oz bottle into nonic.

Crystal clear crimson-amber hue with a one finger khaki head that slowly settles to an even thin cap, leaving behind a wall of lacing.

Plenty of hops in the aroma, which was somewhat surprising. I'm detecting the sharp and sweet fruity aromas of cascade. I could be way off though. However the bitterness is evenly matched by plenty of sweeter fruit like peach.

The flavor has more of the pineapple hops, along with some crispy and toasty malts. Full bodied. The sweet hop flavor lingers for a while after each sip.

A high %ABV Red Ale, which still fits into the Winter Warmer category. Not spiced, but it has some spicy hops. The alcohol will surely help warm you.
Dec 14, 2008
Photo of ralree
Reviewed by ralree from Maryland

4.02/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
A: Deep red, clear, tan head. Very nice head, dissipation seems a little fast. Solid 2-fingers.

S: Brown sugar and loads of hops. Smells like a winner.

T: Hops and sugar are definitely leading the flavors, along with a great yeasty malt and some dark fruit undertones. The fruit really ties it all together as the hop bitterness fades a little in subsequent drinks. A little campfire in the background as well. Definitely a good ale.

M: Medium-heavy body, pretty chewy and creamy. Carbonation is good. Non-astringent.

D: Drinks pretty well. Not bad overall.
Nov 29, 2008
Photo of Clydesdale
Reviewed by Clydesdale from District of Columbia

4.2/5  rDev +8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
A: A slightly cloudy brown-orange color, with a rather large, dense, off-white head with nice retention. Lacing is good as well.

S: Floral and citric hops, with sweet caramel malt aromas. Somewhat orange-y and biscuity also.

T: Again, big citric (mostly orange) and floral hops, backed by a bready, toasty caramel malt profile. Some apricot and earthy notes are also evident. Hints of alcohol.

M: Medium bodied with a fairly creamy feel. The finish is dry and fades gradually. A somewhat resiny feel overall.

D: This is a nice offering. Although not spiced like many other winter warmers, it's got some robust flavor and great balance. With the 8.25% ABV, it's also definitely a warmer, although not difficult to drink by any means. This is well executed, in my opinion.
Nov 22, 2008
Photo of nrpellegrini
Reviewed by nrpellegrini from Maryland

3.23/5  rDev -17%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Pours a light brown color with a thin white head. Smells of big hops, earthy, spicy, and a bit sweet. Not a traditional taste compared to other winter warmer beers. This just comes across as a hoppy beer for me with a slight alcohol taste. It does have a very smooth finish to it, and goes down easy so that it a plus. Not the most drinkable beer, but wouldn't ask for another.
Nov 09, 2008
Photo of BuckeyeNation
Reviewed by BuckeyeNation from Iowa

3.98/5  rDev +2.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness".

--Preamble to the United States Declaration of Independence

Dried apricot orange with a brick red influence and a static storm of fine yeast. What a great color for a winter warmer. The lid is outstanding. It's orange-tinted golden beige and has a dense, sponge-like texture. It's also incredibly sticky, as evidenced by the nearly unbroken blanket of lace that is forming on the upper few inches of the glass.

POH is one of those winter warmers that doesn't contain any spices. It's primarily caramel malty, with an orange fruitiness that is probably coming from the American hops (German hops are present too). For some reason, CPBC publishes the malt bill, but not the hop bill.

Pursuit Of Happiness is *almost* great beer. The flavor is appealing, there just needs to be more 'oomph'. More malt would be a great place to start... and more hops would be a great place to finish. Since hopheads are probably a small fraction of their clientele, the brewery is wise in brewing the more accessible beer. They could easily make it beer geek worthy if they chose to do so.

The malt backbone is barely big enough for the ABV, with the earthy and toasted flavors of Munich and crystal in the spotlight. There is also a dried apricot and orange fruitiness, along with leather and brown sugar. Warming does just enough to allow the flavor score to be increased.

All things considered, the mouthfeel is a bit light for the style and is too lazily bubbled. A richer, more mouthfilling creaminess with a modest lip stickiness would be perfect. More ingredients and more well-incorporated bubbles would help to get it there.

I have life, I have liberty and I have now had Pursuit of Happiness. While it isn't the best winter warmer on the block, this Clay Pipe seasonal gets the job done. The thing is, with a tweak here (more malt) and a tweak there (more hops), it could be special.
May 30, 2008
Photo of Pencible
Reviewed by Pencible from Virginia

4.41/5  rDev +13.4%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
This poured a dark clear copper with thin off-white head. It smelled like strong orange hops and cinnamon. It tasted more bitter than orange, more like grapefruit hops mixed with mulled spices. It was watery with no carbonation with a smooth and bitter aftertaste. Overall this was a very tasty beer, more balanced than their IPA.
Mar 27, 2008
Pursuit Of Happiness Winter Warmer from Clay Pipe Brewing Company
Beer rating: 87 out of 100 with 51 ratings