Winter's Bite Cocoa Spice Black Lager
Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company

Winter's Bite Cocoa Spice Black LagerWinter's Bite Cocoa Spice Black Lager
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From:
Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company
 
Wisconsin, United States
Style:
European Dark Lager
ABV:
5%
Score:
79
Avg:
3.41 | pDev: 18.48%
Reviews:
12
Ratings:
109
Status:
Retired
Rated:
Jan 31, 2019
Added:
Aug 06, 2014
Wants:
  7
Gots:
  45
No description / notes.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by archyquaffer:
Photo of archyquaffer
Reviewed by archyquaffer from Montana

1.75/5  rDev -48.7%
The beer seems mischaracterized in the profile as "American adjunct lager". It bills itself as a "Cocoa Spice Black Lager" made with "natural flavors".

A moderate pour produces about a 3/4 inch creamy, off-white head that quickly dissipates to thin but sticky lacing. The beer is a a quite dark ruby brown, which barely admits the focused light of a Mini-Maglite.

Over-the-top aroma of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and licorice. Roasted malts lend strong tones of burnt coffee and bare hints of chocolate to somewhat balance the spices. However, they become wearing on the palate nevertheless. Quite dry with a lingering soapy feel and taste from the excessive spice.

This could use way less spice, a little more of a chocolate character, and perhaps some residual malt sweetness to lend some credence to the "cocoa" descriptor. As it is, this beer is barely drinkable.

Update Dec. 2014: I had a bottle of this lingering in my refrigerator since last October, but finally opened it last night. It is terrible- soapy, soapy, soapy from overbearing spice notes, and one of the worst beers I've ever tried. A drain pour.

Leinies is really a hit and miss proposition with me. Some of their beers are quite good, and a few are absolutely terrible. This beer is one of the latter.
Oct 28, 2014
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 3.06 by mholdefer from Alabama

Jan 31, 2019
 
Rated: 3.53 by RBorsato from Virginia

Nov 21, 2016
Photo of Libeertarian
Reviewed by Libeertarian from Montana

3.47/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
From old notes:

Dark brown, mostly clear with light brown foamy head of moderate retention. Cinnamon aroma predominant, not so much cocoa. A little more cocoa on the palate, but cinnamon is almost cloying. Some roastiness and dark fruit character, but very mediocre. Medium in body and creamy to effervescent.
Apr 26, 2016
 
Rated: 3.78 by TimberSwanson from Pennsylvania

Apr 23, 2016
 
Rated: 3.77 by AuntBea from Illinois

Nov 29, 2015
 
Rated: 3.9 by Zatch90 from Wisconsin

Oct 09, 2015
 
Rated: 3.32 by iRun2Beer from Minnesota

Sep 01, 2015
 
Rated: 3 by MrBrach from Virginia

May 24, 2015
 
Rated: 2.86 by bplabernie from Michigan

May 19, 2015
 
Rated: 3.99 by entenduintransit from Tennessee

May 15, 2015
Photo of JustLikeMyDad
Reviewed by JustLikeMyDad from Michigan

2.94/5  rDev -13.8%
look: 3 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Drank from the bottle so I can't comment on look.
Smelled of chocolate and spices, maybe malty.
Bold, dark chocolate taste. Good on a cold winter's night. Light carbonation and went down smooth.
Apr 30, 2015
 
Rated: 3.98 by j0hnc2468 from New York

Apr 10, 2015
 
Rated: 3.5 by RCLOHR267 from Indiana

Mar 23, 2015
 
Rated: 3.59 by Theniz from Indiana

Feb 28, 2015
 
Rated: 3.3 by ruckus232 from Illinois

Feb 06, 2015
Photo of KYGunner
Reviewed by KYGunner from Kentucky

3.55/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
Dark black color but a thin head. Nice spicy nose with cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, anise and some cocoa.

The flavor is reminiscent of a pumpkin beer with the nutmeg and allspice taking the forefront. There's a nice maltiness, chocolate perhaps, with some light coffee bean. I catch cocoa powder, roasted coffee and toasted barley.

It feels thin and cheap but overall this is a pretty decent beer.
Jan 25, 2015
Photo of Jon_Hendricks
Rated by Jon_Hendricks from Pennsylvania

3.8/5  rDev +11.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Appearance: Pours a black cocoa color

Overall: Real good winter beer. Perfect mix of roasty cocoa and malts flavor. Worth a try.
Jan 18, 2015
 
Rated: 3.5 by rlee1390 from Indiana

Jan 14, 2015
 
Rated: 3.87 by Wer34truh from Minnesota

Jan 13, 2015
Winter's Bite Cocoa Spice Black Lager from Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company
Beer rating: 79 out of 100 with 109 ratings