-
Stop lurking! Log in to search, post in our forums, review beers, see fewer ads, and more. — Todd, Founder of BeerAdvocate
Thundersnow
MadTree Brewing
- From:
- MadTree Brewing
- Ohio, United States
- Style:
- Scottish Ale
Ranked #22 - ABV:
- 8.5%
- Score:
- 86
Ranked #18,618 - Avg:
- 3.83 | pDev: 13.05%
- Reviews:
- 30
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Mar 09, 2024
- Added:
- Dec 01, 2013
- Wants:
- 9
- Gots:
- 69
The conditions have to be just right for the formation of Thundersnow. Ginger, nutmeg, vanilla, hints of cinnamon and a bready malt sweetness are the secret. When you find this rare occurrence, savor it as long as you can.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Reviewed by philbe311 from Pennsylvania
3.83/5 rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.83/5 rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Active pour yields a full finger's worth of fluffy medium khaki colored froth with decent retention... Head turn creamier as it settles a bit... Color is rich walnut brown... Dark but still completely translucent... Sweet nose of caramel and brown sugar that is tempered a bit by a touch of peat and smoke... Palate is about as expected... There is also some nuttiness and earthy character as well that wasn't on the nose... Medium bodied... Lightly carbonated... Smooth and sleek... A bit of a chalky finish... Wish there were more Scottish and Scotch ales on the market... This one while not world class, certainly scratched the itch and was a nice find...
Mar 09, 2024Rated by Danzifer from Ohio
3.67/5 rDev -4.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
3.67/5 rDev -4.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
By no means a traditional Scottish Ale but pretty decent and unique in it's own regard. More of a winter warmer in Scot style
Apr 22, 2022Reviewed by jkblr from Indiana
3.75/5 rDev -2.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.75/5 rDev -2.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
12oz canned 11.03.2021 (4 months ago) poured into a tulip pint glass at fridge temp 8.5% ABV. The beer pours dark brown with some transparency. The head is little brown and settles to a thin ring and single layer of bubbles. No lacing. The aroma is mild spice and malt. The taste is semisweet toffee like malt with a fairly strong spice punch. I get more gingerbread than anything else. The mouthfeel is medium bodied with average carbonation and a mostly dry finish. Overall, ok as sampled. I would try again fresher.
Mar 05, 2022Reviewed by Dr_Gonzo from Kentucky
4/5 rDev +4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4/5 rDev +4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Poured into a tall clear pint glass. Appearance is a very deep brown body, with a thick light brown head about a finger and a half's worth. Good retention and lacing.
I'm really smelling cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla. Other notes of ginger, cloves, raisin, plum, figs, dates, toffee, chocolate, coffee, leather, caramel, and tobacco.
Nutmeg, whiskey, allspice, cinnamon, cloves, vanilla, and toffee are really tasty and prevalent on the palate. Other notes mentioned in the aroma pleasantly play a somewhat fruity and sweet role in the background. Body is medium light.
Dec 07, 2020I'm really smelling cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla. Other notes of ginger, cloves, raisin, plum, figs, dates, toffee, chocolate, coffee, leather, caramel, and tobacco.
Nutmeg, whiskey, allspice, cinnamon, cloves, vanilla, and toffee are really tasty and prevalent on the palate. Other notes mentioned in the aroma pleasantly play a somewhat fruity and sweet role in the background. Body is medium light.
Reviewed by Explorer_Bill from Kentucky
3.98/5 rDev +3.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
3.98/5 rDev +3.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Really good Scotch Ale with some unique twists. Poured from a can into a pint glass.
L: deep brown with a nice vanilla brown creamy head. Not a lot of lacing.
S: earthy, malty, nutmeg, ginger, spice, vanilla
T: very similar to smell. A nice sweetness in the finish
F: more carbonation than some Scotch ales, medium to heavier body but in line with the style.
O: really a very nice Scotch ale. I wish I would have had the opportunity to try this one a bit earlier in the season. Probably would have been part of my winter rotation.
Apr 18, 2020L: deep brown with a nice vanilla brown creamy head. Not a lot of lacing.
S: earthy, malty, nutmeg, ginger, spice, vanilla
T: very similar to smell. A nice sweetness in the finish
F: more carbonation than some Scotch ales, medium to heavier body but in line with the style.
O: really a very nice Scotch ale. I wish I would have had the opportunity to try this one a bit earlier in the season. Probably would have been part of my winter rotation.
Reviewed by Caveworm from Ohio
4.15/5 rDev +8.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
4.15/5 rDev +8.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Thunder Snow | MadTree Brewing. Poured from the can into a pint glass, this has a two finger thick head, spotty lacing, and a deep brown body.
I smell cinnamon, clove, and nutmeg.
The taste is similar, with ginger and a slight sweetness. Nice warming finish.
Medium mouthfeel with mild carbonation.
I'll choose to rate Thunder Snow | MadTree Brewing with a 4.25.
Dec 30, 2018I smell cinnamon, clove, and nutmeg.
The taste is similar, with ginger and a slight sweetness. Nice warming finish.
Medium mouthfeel with mild carbonation.
I'll choose to rate Thunder Snow | MadTree Brewing with a 4.25.
Reviewed by rky3fan from Kentucky
3.93/5 rDev +2.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
3.93/5 rDev +2.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Great winter beer that could stand on its own as a Scottish Ale. Spices are a nice addition and don't take away from the traditional flavor. Good winter ale color. Really drinkable to be 8.5%. One of the best winter ales I've had in awhile.
Dec 20, 2018Rated by lelfrink from Oklahoma
4.53/5 rDev +18.3%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75
4.53/5 rDev +18.3%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75
Bought in Ohio and brought here to visit during Thanksgiving. Great dark beer; one of the best in my opinion. Highly recommend
Nov 25, 2018Reviewed by WoodBrew from Ohio
3.74/5 rDev -2.3%
look: 2.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.74/5 rDev -2.3%
look: 2.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
I bought a bottle of this off the single shelf at Giant Eagle just down the street. It poured a dark nearly opaque mahogany with no head and no lace. The scent had Xmas ale like spices... cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg....ect. The taste followed suit and leaned xmas...sy. The mouthfeel is lighter in body with smooth carbonation. Overall it's ok.
Feb 05, 2018
Thundersnow from MadTree Brewing
Beer rating:
86 out of
100 with
179 ratings
We love reviews (150 characters or more)! Check out: How to Review a Beer. You don't need to get fancy. Drop some thoughts on the beer's attributes (look, smell, taste, feel) plus your overall impression. Something that backs up your rating and helps others. Thanks!