Canaster Winterscotch Ale
KleinBrouwerij De Glazen Toren


Beer Geek Stats
| Print Shelf Talker
- From:
- KleinBrouwerij De Glazen Toren
- Belgium
- Style:
- Scotch Ale / Wee Heavy
Ranked #102 - ABV:
- 8.7%
- Score:
- 87
Ranked #17,328 - Avg:
- 3.87 | pDev: 10.34%
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Feb 18, 2022
- Added:
- Jan 04, 2006
- Wants:
- 5
- Gots:
- 15
SCORE
87
Very Good
87
Very Good


Notes:
Name : One used to praise their beer, which was called Canaster, it was drink and food, even for a long trip
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
3.52 by TMoney2591 from Illinois on Feb 18, 2022
3.93/5 rDev +1.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
by mynie from Maryland
750 ml bottle from Belgium.
The pour is aggressively fizzy and glugs out with plenty of sediment right away. Once it settles, it's a very thick-looking Scotch ale, dark red with a voluminous head.
Aroma is surprisingly tame and fruity. Bock zippiness, fruity malts, zero presence of hops or alcohol. It's pleasant. It's very nice, actually. But absolutely not what I was expecting.
The flavor, sadly, keeps up the tameness of the aroma. It's still nice throughout, but weirdly like a bright homebrew. Which isn't to say there's any off nodes. There's just nothing here that signals refinedness or distinction. Bright grain up front, lightly bocky malt in the middle, and then on the very back what Michael Jackson would have referred to as "tangy" hops, with some mild nodes of peat on the finish.
This is like what you might have gotten out of a high ABV American Brown ale circa 1998. Nothing about it is bad. And, as a weird product of a past age, it's somewhat interesting. Not really worth importing, but certainly not bad.
May 07, 2021
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
by mynie from Maryland
750 ml bottle from Belgium.
The pour is aggressively fizzy and glugs out with plenty of sediment right away. Once it settles, it's a very thick-looking Scotch ale, dark red with a voluminous head.
Aroma is surprisingly tame and fruity. Bock zippiness, fruity malts, zero presence of hops or alcohol. It's pleasant. It's very nice, actually. But absolutely not what I was expecting.
The flavor, sadly, keeps up the tameness of the aroma. It's still nice throughout, but weirdly like a bright homebrew. Which isn't to say there's any off nodes. There's just nothing here that signals refinedness or distinction. Bright grain up front, lightly bocky malt in the middle, and then on the very back what Michael Jackson would have referred to as "tangy" hops, with some mild nodes of peat on the finish.
This is like what you might have gotten out of a high ABV American Brown ale circa 1998. Nothing about it is bad. And, as a weird product of a past age, it's somewhat interesting. Not really worth importing, but certainly not bad.
May 07, 2021
3.86/5 rDev -0.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
by Sigmund from Norway
Shared 750 ml bottle, ABV 8.7%. From Vinmonopolet, Nettbutikken. Hazy deep reddish brown colour, large off-white to beige head. Very nice aroma of rich malts, brown kandij sugar, molasses and Belgian ale yeast. Malty flavour, moderate notes of kandij sugar, but not too sweet. Very moderate hops (Aalst Hallertauer).
Apr 30, 2021
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
by Sigmund from Norway
Shared 750 ml bottle, ABV 8.7%. From Vinmonopolet, Nettbutikken. Hazy deep reddish brown colour, large off-white to beige head. Very nice aroma of rich malts, brown kandij sugar, molasses and Belgian ale yeast. Malty flavour, moderate notes of kandij sugar, but not too sweet. Very moderate hops (Aalst Hallertauer).
Apr 30, 2021
4.35 by steverx8 from England on Nov 22, 2020
4.25 by paulish from New York on May 23, 2020
3.84/5 rDev -0.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
by REVZEB from Illinois
Had on tap. Very dark brown body with a finger of tan for the head. Smell is more scotch ale forward: peat smoke, earth, toffee, dry booze, but has hints of candi sugar and spices, gives a tootsie roll impression in some ways. Taste is more winter warmer like with the malts and spicing, scotch flavors all still there but take the backseat, malts are almost dubbel like with some dried dark fruit and cherry. This all being said, the flavors tend to mute one another a little. Feel is smoky, very malty, slightly boozy, and generally warming. Appropriate for winter evenings, but an odd, not bad, wee heavy overall
Dec 12, 2019
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
by REVZEB from Illinois
Had on tap. Very dark brown body with a finger of tan for the head. Smell is more scotch ale forward: peat smoke, earth, toffee, dry booze, but has hints of candi sugar and spices, gives a tootsie roll impression in some ways. Taste is more winter warmer like with the malts and spicing, scotch flavors all still there but take the backseat, malts are almost dubbel like with some dried dark fruit and cherry. This all being said, the flavors tend to mute one another a little. Feel is smoky, very malty, slightly boozy, and generally warming. Appropriate for winter evenings, but an odd, not bad, wee heavy overall
Dec 12, 2019
3.79 by cozmo from New York on Oct 27, 2019
4.24 by Bogdawg from Massachusetts on Jan 14, 2019
4.54 by Tcsox from Massachusetts on Jan 14, 2019
4 by Stengelfoot from California on Nov 15, 2018
3.5/5 rDev -9.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
by mmilyko from Nevada
Was intrigued and looking forward to a Belgian produced Scotch Ale, a combination of two of my favorite things. However, although a serviceable SA, not displaying the complexity I was anticipating and/or hoping for.....Still enjoyed this very much.
Sep 02, 2018
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
by mmilyko from Nevada
Was intrigued and looking forward to a Belgian produced Scotch Ale, a combination of two of my favorite things. However, although a serviceable SA, not displaying the complexity I was anticipating and/or hoping for.....Still enjoyed this very much.
Sep 02, 2018
4/5 rDev +3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by StonedTrippin from Colorado
one of my favorite little breweries that nobody ever talks about, always a treat to find something i havent had from them. this one currently on tap at back country in boulder. it pours much darker than expected, almost dark brown but with some auburn and chestnut edges, not much head at all but a lot of shine and viscosity, interesting looking brew. the aroma is a little sharp, not quite partially sour or anything, but with a definite tannic tang to it. neat against a really dark roasty and nutty malt background. some neat spice from the yeast there too, anise and licorice and tobacco and rubbing alcohol, strange but appealing to me. the flavor is well integrated, autumnal, and oddly fruity with dark earthy notes of overripe red apple, even starting to turn, luxardo cherries, strong brandy and wet pipe tobacco too, really complex, boozy as they go for what it is, and with a unique sort of sweet belgian grain element to the finish, delicious and very much one of a kind. port wine and belgian yeast at the end, peppercorns and charcoal, unsweetened chocolate and cognac essence, all very well integrated and plenty warming. tasty brew, a one and done for me at this strength and flavor intensity, but a treat for sure. i love de glazen toren, and hope to see more of their beers come around on draft like this!
Apr 29, 2018
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by StonedTrippin from Colorado
one of my favorite little breweries that nobody ever talks about, always a treat to find something i havent had from them. this one currently on tap at back country in boulder. it pours much darker than expected, almost dark brown but with some auburn and chestnut edges, not much head at all but a lot of shine and viscosity, interesting looking brew. the aroma is a little sharp, not quite partially sour or anything, but with a definite tannic tang to it. neat against a really dark roasty and nutty malt background. some neat spice from the yeast there too, anise and licorice and tobacco and rubbing alcohol, strange but appealing to me. the flavor is well integrated, autumnal, and oddly fruity with dark earthy notes of overripe red apple, even starting to turn, luxardo cherries, strong brandy and wet pipe tobacco too, really complex, boozy as they go for what it is, and with a unique sort of sweet belgian grain element to the finish, delicious and very much one of a kind. port wine and belgian yeast at the end, peppercorns and charcoal, unsweetened chocolate and cognac essence, all very well integrated and plenty warming. tasty brew, a one and done for me at this strength and flavor intensity, but a treat for sure. i love de glazen toren, and hope to see more of their beers come around on draft like this!
Apr 29, 2018
3.96/5 rDev +2.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
by Bluecrow from New York
-red amber bottle pour is hazy to cloudy with a 2 cm tan foam fluff-top. The foam dissipates quickly. The aroma is candi sugar with a whiff of cherry, but light. The flavors include dark fruit, raisin, fig and honey. There is a Belgian yeast character. The flavors improve as the brew warms. The mouthfeel is fizzy, but the finish is smooth.
Feb 15, 2018
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
by Bluecrow from New York
-red amber bottle pour is hazy to cloudy with a 2 cm tan foam fluff-top. The foam dissipates quickly. The aroma is candi sugar with a whiff of cherry, but light. The flavors include dark fruit, raisin, fig and honey. There is a Belgian yeast character. The flavors improve as the brew warms. The mouthfeel is fizzy, but the finish is smooth.
Feb 15, 2018
3.78/5 rDev -2.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
by keithmurray from Connecticut
Appearance - dark ruby red color with tan head
Smell - cherry, raisin, toffee
Taste - toffee, raisin, cherry, hint of belgian spice
Mouthfeel - medium bodied, high carbonation, slight sweetness upfront, dry finish
Overall - decent beverage here that Im glad I tried
Price Point - $5.99/750ML bottlr
Jan 13, 2018
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
by keithmurray from Connecticut
Appearance - dark ruby red color with tan head
Smell - cherry, raisin, toffee
Taste - toffee, raisin, cherry, hint of belgian spice
Mouthfeel - medium bodied, high carbonation, slight sweetness upfront, dry finish
Overall - decent beverage here that Im glad I tried
Price Point - $5.99/750ML bottlr
Jan 13, 2018
3.58 by smithj4 from New York on Jan 07, 2018
3.75 by Azpittil57 from Arizona on Dec 30, 2017
4.5 by RochefortChris from North Carolina on Dec 24, 2017
4 by Beersnake1 from California on Dec 14, 2017
3.94 by windowside from Germany on Sep 02, 2017
3.84 by emerge077 from Illinois on Jun 01, 2017
4.49/5 rDev +16%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
by Brianhone from Iowa
Awesome
May 25, 2017
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
by Brianhone from Iowa
Awesome
May 25, 2017
4 by ColSanders123 from Georgia on Feb 09, 2017
3.75/5 rDev -3.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by josanguapo from Spain
From Cervezasespeciales. In Teku glass. Reading JHTP11 JavaFX GUI Case Study. A bit dank and even sourish in nose but not in taste. Raisins,caramel and comfortable alcohol. I Miss a bit more body. Very foamy
Jan 15, 2017
look: 3.75 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by josanguapo from Spain
From Cervezasespeciales. In Teku glass. Reading JHTP11 JavaFX GUI Case Study. A bit dank and even sourish in nose but not in taste. Raisins,caramel and comfortable alcohol. I Miss a bit more body. Very foamy
Jan 15, 2017
3.98 by andpit from Italy on Jan 08, 2017
4.04/5 rDev +4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by lmaduells from Spain
I liked it for its nuances, the sweetness, the point of gas. A good way d'acabar a Christmas day with good company.
Dec 26, 2016
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by lmaduells from Spain
I liked it for its nuances, the sweetness, the point of gas. A good way d'acabar a Christmas day with good company.
Dec 26, 2016
4.19 by Silke_Neryn from Sweden on Dec 12, 2016
4.23 by Bubblegumsnaps1 from Illinois on Nov 27, 2016
3.96 by Taphouse_Traveler from Florida on Jun 17, 2016
3.94 by HopBelT from Belgium on Feb 19, 2016
3.47 by desint from Belgium on Dec 20, 2015
4.18/5 rDev +8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
by puboflyons from New Hampshire
From the paper wrapped 750 ml. bottle. Sampled on August 12, 2015.
The pour is reddish-brown with a big, foamy tan head.
The aroma is malty, dank, and musty like it came out of a cellar. It did in my case.
The body is medium to full.
The taste is sweet and malty with a peppery or maybe slightly boozy finish. Definitely a sipper.
Aug 13, 2015
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
by puboflyons from New Hampshire
From the paper wrapped 750 ml. bottle. Sampled on August 12, 2015.
The pour is reddish-brown with a big, foamy tan head.
The aroma is malty, dank, and musty like it came out of a cellar. It did in my case.
The body is medium to full.
The taste is sweet and malty with a peppery or maybe slightly boozy finish. Definitely a sipper.
Aug 13, 2015
4.39 by target88 from Kentucky on May 27, 2015
4.15/5 rDev +7.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
by pat61 from Minnesota
L: Pours brilliant dark chestnut under a 3” cream colored foam cap that dissipates to a thick, clingy film.
S: Has a yeasty aroma with rich malts, fresh bread, bread crust and kettle sugars.
T: Initial malty sweetness finishes lightly tart. Complex layers of malt include bread, bread crust, kettle sugars, light caramel and spicy grains. Traces of fruit – plum and a little raisin and a slight wine note.
F: Very creamy, smooth and soft in the mouth. Has above average natural carbonation with slightly above medium body. Slight alcohol warming.
O: A little more fruit than typical and a slight wine character but this is probably due to the abv. More caramel flavor may be due to the grain bill.
May 24, 2015
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
by pat61 from Minnesota
L: Pours brilliant dark chestnut under a 3” cream colored foam cap that dissipates to a thick, clingy film.
S: Has a yeasty aroma with rich malts, fresh bread, bread crust and kettle sugars.
T: Initial malty sweetness finishes lightly tart. Complex layers of malt include bread, bread crust, kettle sugars, light caramel and spicy grains. Traces of fruit – plum and a little raisin and a slight wine note.
F: Very creamy, smooth and soft in the mouth. Has above average natural carbonation with slightly above medium body. Slight alcohol warming.
O: A little more fruit than typical and a slight wine character but this is probably due to the abv. More caramel flavor may be due to the grain bill.
May 24, 2015
3.93 by AlexFields from Tennessee on Apr 12, 2015
3.29/5 rDev -15%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
by Bitterbill from Wyoming
750ml opened with no problems...no gushing.
Hazy to cloudy deep brown, beautiful looking brew complete with a 1 finger of off white foam and pretty lacing.
Smells of candi sugar, pitted fruits, toasted malt that is almost smokie, booze.
Toasted malt and fruits are up front, gets a bit sweet from the candi sugar, an inherent booziness in the taste(heck, it's called Winterscotch), finishes slightly bitter with more booze.
The foam has subsided but it's still nice to look at. I see the abv is at 9.5% abv but to me, it drinks stronger and so I need to slow this session and review down a bit.
Initial thoughts are that I'm going to score this on the low side as I have done with most beers of the style, which I am taking as Wee Heavy based on the name/label and how it is listed on the brewery website. Waiting and slowly sipping will perhaps bring out my palate familiarity and maybe something nice will happen to change my mind.
Medium bodied in general, a tad too much carbonation for my palate, the mouthfeel is only okay.
All right, I have given Canaster every chance I can to shine for me and it doesn't. It's not a terrible brew, it just does not inspire me to think aboot buying another bottle. Oh well, it has it's fans and that's cool.
Mar 08, 2015
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
by Bitterbill from Wyoming
750ml opened with no problems...no gushing.
Hazy to cloudy deep brown, beautiful looking brew complete with a 1 finger of off white foam and pretty lacing.
Smells of candi sugar, pitted fruits, toasted malt that is almost smokie, booze.
Toasted malt and fruits are up front, gets a bit sweet from the candi sugar, an inherent booziness in the taste(heck, it's called Winterscotch), finishes slightly bitter with more booze.
The foam has subsided but it's still nice to look at. I see the abv is at 9.5% abv but to me, it drinks stronger and so I need to slow this session and review down a bit.
Initial thoughts are that I'm going to score this on the low side as I have done with most beers of the style, which I am taking as Wee Heavy based on the name/label and how it is listed on the brewery website. Waiting and slowly sipping will perhaps bring out my palate familiarity and maybe something nice will happen to change my mind.
Medium bodied in general, a tad too much carbonation for my palate, the mouthfeel is only okay.
All right, I have given Canaster every chance I can to shine for me and it doesn't. It's not a terrible brew, it just does not inspire me to think aboot buying another bottle. Oh well, it has it's fans and that's cool.
Mar 08, 2015
3.85 by wethorseblanket from California on Jan 17, 2015
4 by aztraz from Sweden on Jan 11, 2015
4.23 by Evil_Pidde from Sweden on Dec 23, 2014
3.9 by deac83 from Texas on Dec 15, 2014
3.25 by Domvan from Texas on Dec 11, 2014
Canaster Winterscotch Ale from KleinBrouwerij De Glazen Toren
Beer rating:
87 out of
100 with
154 ratings