Canaster Winterscotch Ale
KleinBrouwerij De Glazen Toren

Canaster Winterscotch AleCanaster Winterscotch Ale
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From:
KleinBrouwerij De Glazen Toren
 
Belgium
Style:
Scotch Ale / Wee Heavy
Ranked #101
ABV:
8.7%
Score:
87
Ranked #18,142
Avg:
3.86 | pDev: 10.62%
Reviews:
84
Ratings:
155
Status:
Active
Rated:
Mar 19, 2023
Added:
Jan 04, 2006
Wants:
  6
Gots:
  15
SCORE
87
Very Good
Canaster Winterscotch AleCanaster Winterscotch Ale
Notes: Name : “One used to praise their beer, which was called Canaster, it was drink and food, even for a long trip”
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Photo of jlindros
Reviewed by jlindros from Massachusetts

3.12/5  rDev -19.2%
look: 2 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 3
Erupts as I open the cap, likely infection great...
Giant never ending head flow, dark murky molasses brown color

Nose brings yeast and over fermented in the bottle aromas, weird fruits, spices, figs dates and nuts with spices, molasses, sweet toffee candy

Taste sweet candy malt, toffee, candi sugar, molasses, biscuity, more dark fruits with fig, dates, little prune, a touch yeasty, mild phenol spices, mild hot solventy alcohol, very light bitterness

Mouth is med to fuller bod, way too much foamy carb, hot alcohol

Overall the case beer seems decent but way over fermented in the bottle
Mar 19, 2023
 
Rated: 3.52 by TMoney2591 from Illinois

Feb 18, 2022
Photo of mynie
Reviewed by mynie from Maryland

3.93/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
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
Photo of Sigmund
Reviewed by Sigmund from Norway

3.86/5  rDev 0%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
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
 
Rated: 4.35 by steverx8 from England

Nov 22, 2020
 
Rated: 4.25 by paulish from New York

May 23, 2020
Photo of REVZEB
Reviewed by REVZEB from Illinois

3.84/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
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
 
Rated: 3.79 by cozmo from New York

Oct 27, 2019
 
Rated: 4.24 by Bogdawg from Massachusetts

Jan 14, 2019
 
Rated: 4.54 by Tcsox from Massachusetts

Jan 14, 2019
 
Rated: 4 by Stengelfoot from California

Nov 15, 2018
Photo of mmilyko
Reviewed by mmilyko from Nevada

3.5/5  rDev -9.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
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
Photo of StonedTrippin
Reviewed by StonedTrippin from Colorado

4/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
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
Photo of Bluecrow
Reviewed by Bluecrow from New York

3.96/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
-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
Photo of keithmurray
Reviewed by keithmurray from Connecticut

3.78/5  rDev -2.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
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
 
Rated: 3.58 by smithj4 from New York

Jan 07, 2018
 
Rated: 3.75 by Azpittil57 from Arizona

Dec 30, 2017
 
Rated: 4.5 by RochefortChris from North Carolina

Dec 24, 2017
 
Rated: 4 by Beersnake1 from California

Dec 14, 2017
 
Rated: 3.94 by windowside from Germany

Sep 02, 2017
 
Rated: 3.84 by emerge077 from Illinois

Jun 01, 2017
Photo of Brianhone
Rated by Brianhone from Iowa

4.49/5  rDev +16.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
Awesome
May 25, 2017
 
Rated: 4 by ColSanders123 from Georgia

Feb 09, 2017
Photo of josanguapo
Reviewed by josanguapo from Spain

3.75/5  rDev -2.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
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
 
Rated: 3.98 by andpit from Italy

Jan 08, 2017
Photo of lmaduells
Rated by lmaduells from Spain

4.04/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
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
 
Rated: 4.19 by Silke_Neryn from Sweden

Dec 12, 2016
 
Rated: 4.23 by Bubblegumsnaps1 from Illinois

Nov 27, 2016
 
Rated: 3.96 by Taphouse_Traveler from Florida

Jun 17, 2016
 
Rated: 3.94 by HopBelT from Belgium

Feb 19, 2016
 
Rated: 3.47 by desint from Belgium

Dec 20, 2015
Photo of puboflyons
Reviewed by puboflyons from New Hampshire

4.18/5  rDev +8.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
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
 
Rated: 4.39 by target88 from Kentucky

May 27, 2015
Photo of pat61
Reviewed by pat61 from Minnesota

4.15/5  rDev +7.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
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
 
Rated: 3.93 by AlexFields from Tennessee

Apr 12, 2015
Photo of Bitterbill
Reviewed by Bitterbill from Wyoming

3.29/5  rDev -14.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
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
 
Rated: 3.85 by wethorseblanket from California

Jan 17, 2015
 
Rated: 4 by aztraz from Sweden

Jan 11, 2015
 
Rated: 4.23 by Evil_Pidde from Sweden

Dec 23, 2014
 
Rated: 3.9 by deac83 from Texas

Dec 15, 2014
Canaster Winterscotch Ale from KleinBrouwerij De Glazen Toren
Beer rating: 87 out of 100 with 155 ratings