Cold Mountain
Highland Brewing

Beer Geek Stats | Print Shelf Talker
From:
Highland Brewing
 
North Carolina, United States
Style:
Winter Warmer
Ranked #8
ABV:
5.8%
Score:
90
Ranked #10,113
Avg:
4.01 | pDev: 12.97%
Reviews:
338
Ratings:
844
Status:
Active
Rated:
Feb 10, 2024
Added:
Nov 25, 2002
Wants:
  103
Gots:
  181
No description / notes.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Photo of raphhix
Reviewed by raphhix from Tennessee

3.78/5  rDev -5.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Pours a dark amber, transparent, with foam that dissipates quickly, leaving slight lacing. A very pretty beer in the glass. Smell is resiny hops, some bready malt and spice coming on as it warms. Taste is strong on hops and spice, more nutmeg, maybe allspice, than cinnamon. Body is light and strongly carbonated for a winter warmer, with a noticeably dry feel from the combination of hops and spice. A very flavorful beer, enjoyable to drink, but less malty than I prefer by winter warmers.
Feb 10, 2024
 
Rated: 3.82 by Nunya from Ohio

Dec 29, 2023
 
Rated: 3.58 by PaleAleWalt from New York

Dec 03, 2023
Photo of MikeWard
Reviewed by MikeWard from Pennsylvania

3.93/5  rDev -2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
12oz bottle into a tall glass. Filled 9/29/23, so 2 months in the bottle.

Mixed look, clear reddish Auburn body, but the head doesn't last, no lacing. Aroma is light spice with some hazelnut mixed in. This translates to the taste and makes for an interesting winter drink. Finish is somewhat bitter for balance. Big thanks to Ali & Tayler for bringing a 6 pack for Thanksgiving, been on my wish list for a while.
Nov 23, 2023
Photo of HaydenPlanetierrium
Reviewed by HaydenPlanetierrium from Tennessee

4.3/5  rDev +7.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25
I don’t have much to add in terms of tasting notes. But I figured I would say, if you were considering cellaring this beer, do not. I was foolish and tried a few years’ vertical. I only diminished an excellent beer.

Buy an extra pack and drink it now.
Nov 18, 2023
Photo of DumbRunner26
Reviewed by DumbRunner26 from North Carolina

4.29/5  rDev +7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Had on tap at the Orange Blossom in Asheville while I was watching a concert. This is an offering I look forward to every year. Big flavor of nutmeg and cinnamon with a malty backbone. The spices are very noticeable in the flavor. Great beer. This is one worth marking your calendar for its release every year.
Jan 20, 2023
 
Rated: 3.82 by Keith27614 from North Carolina

Dec 25, 2022
 
 
Rated: 4.27 by teamgalt from Massachusetts

Jan 17, 2022
Photo of lagrluvr
Reviewed by lagrluvr

4.31/5  rDev +7.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Deep cherry honey amber with full tan head that last until becoming a creamy layer; smells like it looks, and tastes like it smells: malty with slight cherry fruitcake aroma. Sweetness is prevalent, but it's not overly sweet, which is great but plenty malty. Great abv at 5.9% - not too boozy, so you can have a couple without being dehydrated. Definitely lives up to the reputation, and I will look for it every year , now that I've finally got to enjoy it. An excellent after dinner brew!
Dec 26, 2021
 
Rated: 4 by Abe_Froman from Massachusetts

Dec 24, 2021
Photo of PEBKAC
Reviewed by PEBKAC from North Carolina

3.67/5  rDev -8.5%
look: 5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Single from Whole Paycheck. Duvel glass @home. Filled 11/01/21. 5.9% abv.

Dense egg cream head. Sticky.

Mild malt, bag of cheap candy bars, very very gentle spice.

Egg cream, Cola, Milk Duds, faded but lingering bitter spice. Flavors build a bit as it warms, lo-key raisin, peanuts, but who's going to nurse a 5% beer?

Gentle, thin, non-demanding, smooth.

Might have another.
Dec 20, 2021
 
Rated: 3.03 by khargro2 from Tennessee

Dec 14, 2021
Photo of ATL6245
Reviewed by ATL6245 from Georgia

4.58/5  rDev +14.2%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5
Appearance: Beautiful clear, dark garnet. Frothy, thick off white head with great retention.

Aroma: Cinnamon, nutty, grainy.

Flavor & Aftertaste: Malty, with nutty, cinnamon. Sweet, but dry at the finish. Restrained bitterness.

Mouth Feel; Full bodied, a little creamy.

Overall: This is a wintertime delight. On the nose seasonal. Full bodied and a little creamy. Exhibits spiciness and nuttiness on a firm, sweet malt back bone. Higher in ABV than most of Highland Brewing's core beers, it brings a seasonal warming to your glass. Well crafted.
Dec 10, 2021
Photo of NiceTaps
Reviewed by NiceTaps from New Jersey

4.12/5  rDev +2.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
On tap in a 12 ounce Pilsner glass.

See through golden amber color with a 1f linen white cap that holds on and leaves soapy lacing.

Sweet and spicy caramel malt aroma. Cinnamon toast.

Roasted sweet malt flavor. Mild spices. Sweetened with maple syrup, perhaps.

Smooth and on the lighter side of a medium bodied winter brew. December morning cinnamon bagel feel.

I gave it a shot on a cool NC evening and I’d do it again.
Dec 01, 2021
Photo of Singlefinpin
Reviewed by Singlefinpin from North Carolina

4.15/5  rDev +3.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Drinking this at home.
Poured from a twelve ounce bottle into a pint glass.
Looks dark amber, clear with a nice foamy offwhite head that dropped quickly to a thin ring.
Smells lightly bready, spicy, malty, cinnamon.
Taste follows the nose nicely.
Mouth feel is medium for the style.
Overall a very nice Winter Warmer that I would definitely drink again.
Cheers!
Nov 29, 2021
Photo of CarolinaCardinals
Reviewed by CarolinaCardinals from North Carolina

4.03/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25
My neighbors were kind enough to share a bottle with me earlier today. Filled 10-25-21; consumed 11-19-21.

Beer poured brown with a nice off white head with the original pour.

Nose is very nice and apropos for this time of they year. Roasted and toasted malts greet me along with notes of dark fruit and roasted nuts.

Taste follows the nose with a smaller but robust toasted and roasted malt baseline. Dark fruits and vanilla lend an ever so light touch of sweetness with a small dose of cinnamon in the finish.

Mouthfeel is medium bodied and fairly smooth.

Overall a very nice holiday beer, worthy of the hype i have been seeing the last few weeks. Not sure it will replace Jubelale as my favorite holiday brew but look forward to having more over the coming weeks!
Nov 19, 2021
 
Rated: 4 by Wrigfen from South Carolina

Jul 31, 2021
Photo of chitoryu12
Reviewed by chitoryu12 from Florida

3.94/5  rDev -1.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Look: Crystal clear dark amber. One finger of thick, foamy off-white head with excellent retention.

Smell: Spicy, sweet, slightly resinous hops and oaky malt.

Taste: Initially very mild, moving in to earthy and slightly bitter hops and a mildly sweet malt backing.

Mouthfeel: Creamy with moderate carbonation.

Overall: Like what you imagine a D&D tavern ale tastes like.
Jan 03, 2021
 
Rated: 4.02 by Hefsbeercaps from Ohio

Dec 04, 2020
Cold Mountain from Highland Brewing
Beer rating: 90 out of 100 with 844 ratings