Canaster Winterscotch Ale | KleinBrouwerij De Glazen Toren
Brewed by:
KleinBrouwerij De Glazen Toren
Belgium | website
Style: Scotch Ale / Wee Heavy
Alcohol by volume (ABV): 8.70%
Availability: Winter
Notes / Commercial Description:
Name : One used to praise their beer, which was called Canaster, it was drink and food, even for a long trip
Added by goodbyeohio on 01-04-2006
Reviews: 75 | Ratings: 128
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.
★ 705 characters
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.
★ 705 characters
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.
★ 1,255 characters
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.
★ 1,255 characters
4.35/5 rDev +12.7%
look: 5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Cannot remember where I picked this one up but it has been in the basement for a while so I figured I better give it a run. Outstanding looking beer, hazy brown with a fluffy head that stuck around grabbed the glass, stunning. Good aroma but not great. Flavor was great, tasty and smooth, did a good job of masking the alcohol which gives bonus points overall. The flavor improved as it warmed. It was a very good beer that I enjoyed very much and would purchase again depending upon the cost which I simply do not remember.
★ 524 characters
look: 5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Cannot remember where I picked this one up but it has been in the basement for a while so I figured I better give it a run. Outstanding looking beer, hazy brown with a fluffy head that stuck around grabbed the glass, stunning. Good aroma but not great. Flavor was great, tasty and smooth, did a good job of masking the alcohol which gives bonus points overall. The flavor improved as it warmed. It was a very good beer that I enjoyed very much and would purchase again depending upon the cost which I simply do not remember.
★ 524 characters
3.84/5 rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
A: The beer is very hazy amber brown in color. It poured with a finger and a half high beige colored head that died down but has good retention properties and consistently left a short head covering the surface.
S: Light to moderate aromas of candi sugar and caramel are present in the nose along with notes of yeast and hints of dark fruits.
T: The taste is similar to the smell, except that candi sugars aren't noticeable and there is instead malty sweetness.
M: It feels medium-bodied on the palate and has a moderate amount of carbonation.
O: Although it seems a bit malty for the style, this beer is rather easy to drink because it masks any traces of alcohol from the taste.
★ 680 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
A: The beer is very hazy amber brown in color. It poured with a finger and a half high beige colored head that died down but has good retention properties and consistently left a short head covering the surface.
S: Light to moderate aromas of candi sugar and caramel are present in the nose along with notes of yeast and hints of dark fruits.
T: The taste is similar to the smell, except that candi sugars aren't noticeable and there is instead malty sweetness.
M: It feels medium-bodied on the palate and has a moderate amount of carbonation.
O: Although it seems a bit malty for the style, this beer is rather easy to drink because it masks any traces of alcohol from the taste.
★ 680 characters
3.59/5 rDev -7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.5
Fluffy four-finger head. Rocky settling. The lace becomes large spots. Brown color with a bit of a haze. Some light shines through.
Sweet and high in alcohol to the nose, like a barley wine. Some cherry and molasses notes.
The taste matches the smell--semisweet treacle and warming alcohol. There are elements of brandy with this beer. No noticeable hop. Thick, rich mouthfeel. The carbonation is light, enhancing this effect.
★ 428 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.5
Fluffy four-finger head. Rocky settling. The lace becomes large spots. Brown color with a bit of a haze. Some light shines through.
Sweet and high in alcohol to the nose, like a barley wine. Some cherry and molasses notes.
The taste matches the smell--semisweet treacle and warming alcohol. There are elements of brandy with this beer. No noticeable hop. Thick, rich mouthfeel. The carbonation is light, enhancing this effect.
★ 428 characters
3.54/5 rDev -8.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
This may be the LOUDEST beer I've ever poured. It came out super-fizzy, but not like champagne. It had that clingy-bubbly behavior like when root beer gets poured over ice cream. It was crackling and popping in the glass for a while, but eventually settled down into that typical deep caramel I expected to see. Smell is by far the worst of my senses, but I could smell almost nothing at all off of this one. Really enjoyed the flavor, with just enough sweetness without an overbearing texture to go perfectly with our venison-and-onions dinner.
★ 545 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
This may be the LOUDEST beer I've ever poured. It came out super-fizzy, but not like champagne. It had that clingy-bubbly behavior like when root beer gets poured over ice cream. It was crackling and popping in the glass for a while, but eventually settled down into that typical deep caramel I expected to see. Smell is by far the worst of my senses, but I could smell almost nothing at all off of this one. Really enjoyed the flavor, with just enough sweetness without an overbearing texture to go perfectly with our venison-and-onions dinner.
★ 545 characters
3.75/5 rDev -2.8%
look: 3 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Poured into a Petrus glass on 12/30/12
The appearance is a cloudy brown with caramel highlights. The head is fizzy and rises quickly to three fingers before deflating leaving lace in the shape of flames flicking up the side of the glass.
The aroma is welcoming. Notes of grassy and slightly herbal hops, biscuit dust, pastry crust and apple pie drizzled in caramel. Hints of grapes and figs.
This doesn't taste like I was expecting. The hops are strong and have a spicy, herbal presence. Malts aren't hurting, what with bread, caramel and toasted sugars and all, but overall this is drier than I would have expected. Hints of pepper. The hops exhibit more grassiness after a while. Faint fruit notions.
The feel is on the high side of medium (though at times it seems watery); the body is a little slick and sugary but not overly so. Carbonation is high but settles to a moderate level. The finish is spiced and dry.
All in all, Canaster took me by surprise; I reckon that was easy to do since I had no particular expectations. This is probably worth a shot if you like semi-sweet, spicy/herbal things. I didn't let it chill in the fridge very long, which was a good idea.
★ 1,177 characters
look: 3 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Poured into a Petrus glass on 12/30/12
The appearance is a cloudy brown with caramel highlights. The head is fizzy and rises quickly to three fingers before deflating leaving lace in the shape of flames flicking up the side of the glass.
The aroma is welcoming. Notes of grassy and slightly herbal hops, biscuit dust, pastry crust and apple pie drizzled in caramel. Hints of grapes and figs.
This doesn't taste like I was expecting. The hops are strong and have a spicy, herbal presence. Malts aren't hurting, what with bread, caramel and toasted sugars and all, but overall this is drier than I would have expected. Hints of pepper. The hops exhibit more grassiness after a while. Faint fruit notions.
The feel is on the high side of medium (though at times it seems watery); the body is a little slick and sugary but not overly so. Carbonation is high but settles to a moderate level. The finish is spiced and dry.
All in all, Canaster took me by surprise; I reckon that was easy to do since I had no particular expectations. This is probably worth a shot if you like semi-sweet, spicy/herbal things. I didn't let it chill in the fridge very long, which was a good idea.
★ 1,177 characters
3.92/5 rDev +1.6%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Served from a 750 ml bottle bought in Brussels.
A - The beer was attractively packaged in wrapping paper, but when I unwrapped it, I was dismayed to see that the beer had leaked a bit from below the cap. The leak was dried and obviously old. There was still a good carbonation when it was opened, so maybe the beer's ok. I had stored it in my cellar on its side since buying it, so there should not have been any environmental problems to cause the leak. The beer is an opaque, murky, deep brown. The head is off-white, very fluffy and thick.
S - The aroma is all about malt. Toasty biscuits, graham crackers, molasses, prunes and figs. But there is also a crisp earthy hop aroma in the finish that adds complexity. There is a metallic smell that I'm not sure should be there, maybe a result of the cap leak. No obvious notes from Belgian yeast.
T - The malt dominates again, with bready, Munich malt flavor, prunes/raisins/figs and brown sugar or molasses notes. Like the aroma, there is a hit of earthy hops late in the palate that breaks the sweetness and adds complexity. A hint of alcohol in the background. No noticeable yeast characteristics. This beer does have a taste profile similar to a Scotch ale, rather than a typical Belgian Dark Strong Ale.
M - Thick, creamy body. Tingly carbonation. A hint of alcohol burn. Medium hops bitterness.
O - This is an enjoyable strong Scotch-type ale. I was worried I had a ruined bottle when I saw the "leakage", but it turned out well. I would be interested to see if an undamaged bottle would be even better. I marked down the appearance score because of the cap problems, but otherwise I scored this one pretty highly.
★ 1,676 characters
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Served from a 750 ml bottle bought in Brussels.
A - The beer was attractively packaged in wrapping paper, but when I unwrapped it, I was dismayed to see that the beer had leaked a bit from below the cap. The leak was dried and obviously old. There was still a good carbonation when it was opened, so maybe the beer's ok. I had stored it in my cellar on its side since buying it, so there should not have been any environmental problems to cause the leak. The beer is an opaque, murky, deep brown. The head is off-white, very fluffy and thick.
S - The aroma is all about malt. Toasty biscuits, graham crackers, molasses, prunes and figs. But there is also a crisp earthy hop aroma in the finish that adds complexity. There is a metallic smell that I'm not sure should be there, maybe a result of the cap leak. No obvious notes from Belgian yeast.
T - The malt dominates again, with bready, Munich malt flavor, prunes/raisins/figs and brown sugar or molasses notes. Like the aroma, there is a hit of earthy hops late in the palate that breaks the sweetness and adds complexity. A hint of alcohol in the background. No noticeable yeast characteristics. This beer does have a taste profile similar to a Scotch ale, rather than a typical Belgian Dark Strong Ale.
M - Thick, creamy body. Tingly carbonation. A hint of alcohol burn. Medium hops bitterness.
O - This is an enjoyable strong Scotch-type ale. I was worried I had a ruined bottle when I saw the "leakage", but it turned out well. I would be interested to see if an undamaged bottle would be even better. I marked down the appearance score because of the cap problems, but otherwise I scored this one pretty highly.
★ 1,676 characters
3.97/5 rDev +2.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Poured from a 750ml bottle. This oddly named Belgian beer pours a deep reddish brown with a tannish head. The nose on this all about huge fruit flavours--banana, straberries, apples. It's pretty amazing. Good carbonation leads to a nice earthy, chocolatey brown sugar taste with a slight bite of hops on the finish. It's a little boozy, but a nice winter warmer.
★ 362 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Poured from a 750ml bottle. This oddly named Belgian beer pours a deep reddish brown with a tannish head. The nose on this all about huge fruit flavours--banana, straberries, apples. It's pretty amazing. Good carbonation leads to a nice earthy, chocolatey brown sugar taste with a slight bite of hops on the finish. It's a little boozy, but a nice winter warmer.
★ 362 characters
3.85/5 rDev -0.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
A: half finger head on a clear amber and red body with excellent lacing.
S: a little tart dark fruit and some caramel malts.
T: yeasty with musty dark fruit with mostly strawberry and blueberry predominating. Some caramel malts.
M: medium body and moderate carbonation.
Overall: not quite full enough but very flavorful and well balanced.
★ 342 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
A: half finger head on a clear amber and red body with excellent lacing.
S: a little tart dark fruit and some caramel malts.
T: yeasty with musty dark fruit with mostly strawberry and blueberry predominating. Some caramel malts.
M: medium body and moderate carbonation.
Overall: not quite full enough but very flavorful and well balanced.
★ 342 characters
3.33/5 rDev -13.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
Pours a super effervescent auburn with 3+ fingers of tan head. Good lacing & average head retentions, really murks up towards the end
S: Sour notes, not much else, some green apple peels show as the yeast is mixed in from the bottom of the bottle
T: Brown bread, caramel & a touch of phenols up front. Faint woody hop notes as this warms, slight sourness, cherries, brown sugar & dryness. Finishes dry with sour Bourbon/Peaty Scotch notes, cherries & faint figgyness & green apple peel
MF: Thinnish with over carbonation. Starts to thicken up as this warms, carbonation drops way off too
An alright Belgian dark, I was hoping for more
★ 639 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
Pours a super effervescent auburn with 3+ fingers of tan head. Good lacing & average head retentions, really murks up towards the end
S: Sour notes, not much else, some green apple peels show as the yeast is mixed in from the bottom of the bottle
T: Brown bread, caramel & a touch of phenols up front. Faint woody hop notes as this warms, slight sourness, cherries, brown sugar & dryness. Finishes dry with sour Bourbon/Peaty Scotch notes, cherries & faint figgyness & green apple peel
MF: Thinnish with over carbonation. Starts to thicken up as this warms, carbonation drops way off too
An alright Belgian dark, I was hoping for more
★ 639 characters
4.35/5 rDev +12.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Pours a very hazy brown color. There is a lot of yeast present which made opening the bottle very interesting. I only opened the cap enough to hear the fizz and poured the whole beer that way to avert a foam over, and there was still a ton of foam.
Aroma includes syrupy pancakes and fruit. The character suggests a lot of grape and grain, though I am pretty sure there were no grapes used in the brewing of this beer. There is even a little melon in the smell.
I find the flavor very pleasing. The flavor has a caramel sweetness combined with a touch of tart and very mild spice character.
Mouthfeel is surprisingly flat, but when pouring a beer through a cap to avoid a disaster much of the carbonation will go away. This isn't a bad thing though. The beer has a little tingle left and is very soothing and smooth.
★ 819 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Pours a very hazy brown color. There is a lot of yeast present which made opening the bottle very interesting. I only opened the cap enough to hear the fizz and poured the whole beer that way to avert a foam over, and there was still a ton of foam.
Aroma includes syrupy pancakes and fruit. The character suggests a lot of grape and grain, though I am pretty sure there were no grapes used in the brewing of this beer. There is even a little melon in the smell.
I find the flavor very pleasing. The flavor has a caramel sweetness combined with a touch of tart and very mild spice character.
Mouthfeel is surprisingly flat, but when pouring a beer through a cap to avoid a disaster much of the carbonation will go away. This isn't a bad thing though. The beer has a little tingle left and is very soothing and smooth.
★ 819 characters
3.77/5 rDev -2.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
Nice paper wrapped caged and corked bottle poured into a Gulden Draak tulip. Pours a very dark red amber, nearly black. Carbonation caused a massive gusher out of the bottle. Filled glass with foam, then was able to pour a decent half glass. Massive medium light brown head leaving foam and lacing. Very spicy almost mineral-like aroma, with faint dark malt and dark fruit. Flavor follows; caramel malt, dark fruit and lots of spicing, dominated by very high carbonation. The flavor is suprisingly mild and finishes abruptly with a mineral water component, probably because of the active carbonation. Body if light to medium. I have to wonder if a bottle without the overactive carbonation would be deeper in flavor. I have to knock off points for that. The main flavors are pleasant, the finish not as satisfying. An acceptable strong dark that I would try again hoping for a less active one.
★ 893 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
Nice paper wrapped caged and corked bottle poured into a Gulden Draak tulip. Pours a very dark red amber, nearly black. Carbonation caused a massive gusher out of the bottle. Filled glass with foam, then was able to pour a decent half glass. Massive medium light brown head leaving foam and lacing. Very spicy almost mineral-like aroma, with faint dark malt and dark fruit. Flavor follows; caramel malt, dark fruit and lots of spicing, dominated by very high carbonation. The flavor is suprisingly mild and finishes abruptly with a mineral water component, probably because of the active carbonation. Body if light to medium. I have to wonder if a bottle without the overactive carbonation would be deeper in flavor. I have to knock off points for that. The main flavors are pleasant, the finish not as satisfying. An acceptable strong dark that I would try again hoping for a less active one.
★ 893 characters
3.9/5 rDev +1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Pours a brownish body with offwhite head and lace patches all over. Usual aroma - floral, citric hopiness w/ predominant orange/dark fruit aromas mixing with a solid yeast/wheat twang and touches of spice/sweetness. A somewhat maligned beer but if it's winterale to warm you up then it did it's job; a medium-bodied, albeit slightly syrupy, beer with a good fluffiness/mouthfeel from yeast as well as minor caramel and candi sugar sweetness. Also, good fruit flavors ranging from sweet fruit to citrus and a very minimal hop bite. The spices are strong, real strong, and the unique part of this beer. I enjoyed this beer, but if it were possible I'd give it a 3.75 for taste; it's just a cut below the rest (the price doesn't help, either).
★ 740 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Pours a brownish body with offwhite head and lace patches all over. Usual aroma - floral, citric hopiness w/ predominant orange/dark fruit aromas mixing with a solid yeast/wheat twang and touches of spice/sweetness. A somewhat maligned beer but if it's winterale to warm you up then it did it's job; a medium-bodied, albeit slightly syrupy, beer with a good fluffiness/mouthfeel from yeast as well as minor caramel and candi sugar sweetness. Also, good fruit flavors ranging from sweet fruit to citrus and a very minimal hop bite. The spices are strong, real strong, and the unique part of this beer. I enjoyed this beer, but if it were possible I'd give it a 3.75 for taste; it's just a cut below the rest (the price doesn't help, either).
★ 740 characters
3.82/5 rDev -1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4
Bought very recently (Bestway in Greensboro, NC) but this was bottled on Dec. 3, 2007, so it has a little over 4 years of age on it. Comes in a neat paper wrapper, which sort of sold me, but really I was just looking to try a Belgian that was new to me. (btw, this bottle says 9.5% Alc/Vol.)
Pours a crackling dirty-white/light-tan head. Starts huge each pour, dies quickly each pour. And I'm pouring a little at a time as this is one of those that, while not a gusher, sees the foam rising in the bottle like a thing possessed. Color is an opaque, milk chocolaty dark brown.
Aroma is potent, and reminds me of how blown away I used to get when I was discovering Belgians years ago. Candied dark fruits (raisin, date); super-earthy yeast (but not funky); mineral hints; holiday/pie/sweet spices. And so ridiculously Belgian.
I wonder if the beer has lost something over the years? I "get" the basic taste profile, but it all seems a bit washed out, or pale, or distant somehow. Just traces of everything the big aroma promises (the dark fruit; the yeast; the mineral; the spiciness). Not overly sweet, and really pretty balanced all around, except for the too-dominant mineral taste. It's even good, just seems to lack that pizzazz of a truly great Belgian Strong Dark Ale.
Same with the feel, which is bubbly with spritz, but generally feels a little on the thin side. It's nothing terribly detrimental, although something a little rounder and slightly thicker would have probably helped the taste.
It's really the nose that impresses me most on this, and though the taste is fine, the fact that it doesn't quite follow through with the energy and liveliness of the aroma makes it less memorable in the end. Glad to have tried it.
★ 1,738 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4
Bought very recently (Bestway in Greensboro, NC) but this was bottled on Dec. 3, 2007, so it has a little over 4 years of age on it. Comes in a neat paper wrapper, which sort of sold me, but really I was just looking to try a Belgian that was new to me. (btw, this bottle says 9.5% Alc/Vol.)
Pours a crackling dirty-white/light-tan head. Starts huge each pour, dies quickly each pour. And I'm pouring a little at a time as this is one of those that, while not a gusher, sees the foam rising in the bottle like a thing possessed. Color is an opaque, milk chocolaty dark brown.
Aroma is potent, and reminds me of how blown away I used to get when I was discovering Belgians years ago. Candied dark fruits (raisin, date); super-earthy yeast (but not funky); mineral hints; holiday/pie/sweet spices. And so ridiculously Belgian.
I wonder if the beer has lost something over the years? I "get" the basic taste profile, but it all seems a bit washed out, or pale, or distant somehow. Just traces of everything the big aroma promises (the dark fruit; the yeast; the mineral; the spiciness). Not overly sweet, and really pretty balanced all around, except for the too-dominant mineral taste. It's even good, just seems to lack that pizzazz of a truly great Belgian Strong Dark Ale.
Same with the feel, which is bubbly with spritz, but generally feels a little on the thin side. It's nothing terribly detrimental, although something a little rounder and slightly thicker would have probably helped the taste.
It's really the nose that impresses me most on this, and though the taste is fine, the fact that it doesn't quite follow through with the energy and liveliness of the aroma makes it less memorable in the end. Glad to have tried it.
★ 1,738 characters
3.02/5 rDev -21.8%
look: 2 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 2.5
This one went the way of a geyser when I opened it. Had to rush to the sink! Lots of tan head sits atop a cinnamon colored cloudy beer. Reminds me of milk chocolate. Sweet aromas: rich caramel, confectioner's sugar, and some hops (hop types are indiscernible, but there none the less). This tastes much like a red ale. I'd guess this was their base if I didn't know they made a Dubbel with the same name. Coppery, sweet, and BBQish. Yes, this is the first time I've used that word to describe a beer. Warm and easy to drink. Very smooth, but thick. Creamy feel. Great way to show off the yeast.
I'm questioning what type of beer this is. Labeled as a Scotch Ale, I would have to second guess this description. It also says it's a Winter ale, and I would question that as well, since I didn't get any spices other than cinnamon, and that barely came out at all. Although I don't know how to categorize this beer, it was surprisingly good. I didn't go into it with high expectations, and I'm grateful for that. I wouldn't buy it again, but it was a good experience and I'm happy I tried it.
★ 1,089 characters
look: 2 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 2.5
This one went the way of a geyser when I opened it. Had to rush to the sink! Lots of tan head sits atop a cinnamon colored cloudy beer. Reminds me of milk chocolate. Sweet aromas: rich caramel, confectioner's sugar, and some hops (hop types are indiscernible, but there none the less). This tastes much like a red ale. I'd guess this was their base if I didn't know they made a Dubbel with the same name. Coppery, sweet, and BBQish. Yes, this is the first time I've used that word to describe a beer. Warm and easy to drink. Very smooth, but thick. Creamy feel. Great way to show off the yeast.
I'm questioning what type of beer this is. Labeled as a Scotch Ale, I would have to second guess this description. It also says it's a Winter ale, and I would question that as well, since I didn't get any spices other than cinnamon, and that barely came out at all. Although I don't know how to categorize this beer, it was surprisingly good. I didn't go into it with high expectations, and I'm grateful for that. I wouldn't buy it again, but it was a good experience and I'm happy I tried it.
★ 1,089 characters
3.52/5 rDev -8.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
The problem: proper serving temperature or a gusher? I opted for warming the beer some and man, was it a gusher! And a mess. Lost about a third. Finally poured a glass with large, foamy, thick, tan head with lots of sediment particles in it and the liquid. Also some lace. Color is an amber hued red that seems like it might have been clear if not for all the stirred up yeastoids floating around. Aroma is mostly malt and yeast. Flavor's about the same as nose - with a raisiny malt sweetness on top beneath which is a little bitter and carbonic tang, perhaps some fruit. Not many scotch ale qualities other than dark and malty, bit strong. Body and carbonation are good. Finish is like flavor, clean, no off qualities. Drinkable. If you can get it in your glass.
★ 764 characters
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
The problem: proper serving temperature or a gusher? I opted for warming the beer some and man, was it a gusher! And a mess. Lost about a third. Finally poured a glass with large, foamy, thick, tan head with lots of sediment particles in it and the liquid. Also some lace. Color is an amber hued red that seems like it might have been clear if not for all the stirred up yeastoids floating around. Aroma is mostly malt and yeast. Flavor's about the same as nose - with a raisiny malt sweetness on top beneath which is a little bitter and carbonic tang, perhaps some fruit. Not many scotch ale qualities other than dark and malty, bit strong. Body and carbonation are good. Finish is like flavor, clean, no off qualities. Drinkable. If you can get it in your glass.
★ 764 characters
4.12/5 rDev +6.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
I received this as a birthday present and this ale is worthy of celebration.
The appearance is of a dark toffee brown with slight red notes. The body is hazy, the yeast creates a great effect. The head is beige and disseminates quickly.
The aroma is of roasted malts. Bread, butterscotch and spicy noble hops. Very nutty as well. There are hints of dried fruits, especially dates and apricots.
The alcohol is very well concealed. There is nothing astringent about this beer. Anybody could drink this beer, even a beginner to strong ales. The malts are caramel. I taste the usually candied cane sugar but it doesn't hurt my teeth is balanced by good body and texture. I taste the flavors of chestnut and ginger.
The mouth is great. The hops are so well balanced the spicy and soapy noble hops with their oils help to balance out the alcohol. The carbonation is at a good natural level.
A really good beer in it's category. I would drink this again.
★ 955 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
I received this as a birthday present and this ale is worthy of celebration.
The appearance is of a dark toffee brown with slight red notes. The body is hazy, the yeast creates a great effect. The head is beige and disseminates quickly.
The aroma is of roasted malts. Bread, butterscotch and spicy noble hops. Very nutty as well. There are hints of dried fruits, especially dates and apricots.
The alcohol is very well concealed. There is nothing astringent about this beer. Anybody could drink this beer, even a beginner to strong ales. The malts are caramel. I taste the usually candied cane sugar but it doesn't hurt my teeth is balanced by good body and texture. I taste the flavors of chestnut and ginger.
The mouth is great. The hops are so well balanced the spicy and soapy noble hops with their oils help to balance out the alcohol. The carbonation is at a good natural level.
A really good beer in it's category. I would drink this again.
★ 955 characters
4.2/5 rDev +8.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
750ml bottle, bottled in november 2009
A- Very dark brown, a bit murky, with some reddish hints if held through light. A medium light brown/dirty white head shows nice retention and leaves a lot of lacing on the glass
S- Caramel and sugar, but more on the sour side than on the sweet one. Then some dark fruit notes (plum, raisin) and a distinct spicy feel from the alcohol. Maybe a faint hint of yeast
T- A strong caramel flavour that is nicely followed by dark fruit hints of raisin and prune (not as distinct as in the aroma) and by a warming spiciness (pepper?) from the esters. Very much a classic strong dark ale overall, but with a quite distinct sour feel that brings even more complexity. There are also some leaf-like hop hints on the tongue, with a bit of bitterness in the aftertaste
M- Medium to big body, creamy on both tongue and palate (thanks in part to the everlasting head). A good amount of carbonation, just short of too much. Alcohol is detectable but feels nice, bringing some warming spicy notes
O- A nice take on the style, with a classic strong dark ale character that borders the sour territory. A very complex though still nicely drinkable beer
★ 1,177 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
750ml bottle, bottled in november 2009
A- Very dark brown, a bit murky, with some reddish hints if held through light. A medium light brown/dirty white head shows nice retention and leaves a lot of lacing on the glass
S- Caramel and sugar, but more on the sour side than on the sweet one. Then some dark fruit notes (plum, raisin) and a distinct spicy feel from the alcohol. Maybe a faint hint of yeast
T- A strong caramel flavour that is nicely followed by dark fruit hints of raisin and prune (not as distinct as in the aroma) and by a warming spiciness (pepper?) from the esters. Very much a classic strong dark ale overall, but with a quite distinct sour feel that brings even more complexity. There are also some leaf-like hop hints on the tongue, with a bit of bitterness in the aftertaste
M- Medium to big body, creamy on both tongue and palate (thanks in part to the everlasting head). A good amount of carbonation, just short of too much. Alcohol is detectable but feels nice, bringing some warming spicy notes
O- A nice take on the style, with a classic strong dark ale character that borders the sour territory. A very complex though still nicely drinkable beer
★ 1,177 characters
4.18/5 rDev +8.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
A - Very cloudy brown with a thin even head.
S - Caramel, toffee, chocolate, malt syrup, faint alcohol and apple skin.
T - Apple skin, chewy and bready with notes of caramel and soft mellowed alcohol. Mild dark dried fruit sweetness with a semi dry mouth of grains.
M - Smooth, mellowed and silky. Low carbonation and sweet alcohol. Slightly dry finish.
O - A wonderful brew.
★ 379 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
A - Very cloudy brown with a thin even head.
S - Caramel, toffee, chocolate, malt syrup, faint alcohol and apple skin.
T - Apple skin, chewy and bready with notes of caramel and soft mellowed alcohol. Mild dark dried fruit sweetness with a semi dry mouth of grains.
M - Smooth, mellowed and silky. Low carbonation and sweet alcohol. Slightly dry finish.
O - A wonderful brew.
★ 379 characters
3.3/5 rDev -14.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
750 mL bottle poured into a chalice.
Appearance: Pours a hazy brown color with a lot of visible sediment or suspended carbonation - it is hard to tell. Light tan/off-white head dissipates very fast, leaving just a hint of lacing at the edges.
Smell: Initial aroma is sour, but without the distinctness of typical Belgian sours. Subsequent sniffs still reveal lots of sourness, but with a bit of caramel as well.
Taste: Sour malt flavor with lots of caramel quickly coming into the picture. A bit of brown sugar and raisins in the finish and aftertaste. The sour aspect does become subdued after a while.
Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied, though a bit on the light side, perhaps. Mild carbonation, and mostly smooth.
Drinkability: Pretty easy to drink, if you enjoy the more sour notes here. Alcohol isn't very present in the flavor.
A decent Belgian, though not really fitting the style of a Belgian Strong Dark Ale. Too much sourness. And, for 150% of the price of a Chimay Blue, not particularly worth it, price-wise, unless you're really intent on trying every dark Belgian ale.
★ 1,080 characters
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
750 mL bottle poured into a chalice.
Appearance: Pours a hazy brown color with a lot of visible sediment or suspended carbonation - it is hard to tell. Light tan/off-white head dissipates very fast, leaving just a hint of lacing at the edges.
Smell: Initial aroma is sour, but without the distinctness of typical Belgian sours. Subsequent sniffs still reveal lots of sourness, but with a bit of caramel as well.
Taste: Sour malt flavor with lots of caramel quickly coming into the picture. A bit of brown sugar and raisins in the finish and aftertaste. The sour aspect does become subdued after a while.
Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied, though a bit on the light side, perhaps. Mild carbonation, and mostly smooth.
Drinkability: Pretty easy to drink, if you enjoy the more sour notes here. Alcohol isn't very present in the flavor.
A decent Belgian, though not really fitting the style of a Belgian Strong Dark Ale. Too much sourness. And, for 150% of the price of a Chimay Blue, not particularly worth it, price-wise, unless you're really intent on trying every dark Belgian ale.
★ 1,080 characters
3.76/5 rDev -2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
750 mL capped bottle at 48 degrees into a St. Bernardus chalice.
A: It pours an opaque dark brown color with a two finger head of light tan color that is thin but recedes into a thick, clump border that leaves wet lacing but doesn't hold the walls of the glass.
S: Caramel, sweet figs and dates, a little citrus, and barely discernable Belgian yeastiness. This isn't very bold and does not seem like a BSDA or a Wee Heavy.
T: Sweet caramel, ripe banana, cherries, figs, cloves, and citrus. This is a very contradictory beer.
M: it has medium body thickness with some prickly carbonation and then a mellow and smooth aftertaste - another contradiction.
O: This is tough to discern as a style but is it good nonetheless. It should be enjoyed at a warmer temperature and would be much better in the winter for its warming qualities.
★ 834 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
750 mL capped bottle at 48 degrees into a St. Bernardus chalice.
A: It pours an opaque dark brown color with a two finger head of light tan color that is thin but recedes into a thick, clump border that leaves wet lacing but doesn't hold the walls of the glass.
S: Caramel, sweet figs and dates, a little citrus, and barely discernable Belgian yeastiness. This isn't very bold and does not seem like a BSDA or a Wee Heavy.
T: Sweet caramel, ripe banana, cherries, figs, cloves, and citrus. This is a very contradictory beer.
M: it has medium body thickness with some prickly carbonation and then a mellow and smooth aftertaste - another contradiction.
O: This is tough to discern as a style but is it good nonetheless. It should be enjoyed at a warmer temperature and would be much better in the winter for its warming qualities.
★ 834 characters
4.01/5 rDev +3.9%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
I wasn't ready for the rush of bubbles that charged out of bottle. Head poured big and changed to big chunky foam. Brown cloudy color, with plent of bubbles.
Smells of dried fruit, alcohol.
Malty sweet, a touch of spice, caramel and toffee, and the dried fruit flavors.
Despite the carbonation, the mouthfeel is a bit thin.
Very tasty beer.
★ 340 characters
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
I wasn't ready for the rush of bubbles that charged out of bottle. Head poured big and changed to big chunky foam. Brown cloudy color, with plent of bubbles.
Smells of dried fruit, alcohol.
Malty sweet, a touch of spice, caramel and toffee, and the dried fruit flavors.
Despite the carbonation, the mouthfeel is a bit thin.
Very tasty beer.
★ 340 characters
3.33/5 rDev -13.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
Pours a dark chestnut brown color with hazy amber edges when held to a light source and a thick to finger frothy tan head that has decent retention, slowly fading into a lasting cap. Minimal spots of lacing left behind.
Slightly roasted caramel malt aroma with a slight smokey presence. Hints of esters, candy sugar and dark fruit notes from the yeast as well as some raisin, plum, fig and prune. Zesty peppery spice in the nose.
Tightly carbonated up front with a strong zesty peppery spice presence. Slightly roasty chocolate and caramel maltiness with sweet candy sugar and dark fruit. Hints of plum, raisin, date and fig. Slight alcohol warmth with a dry finish. Somewhat medicinal with slight syrupy texture.
★ 715 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
Pours a dark chestnut brown color with hazy amber edges when held to a light source and a thick to finger frothy tan head that has decent retention, slowly fading into a lasting cap. Minimal spots of lacing left behind.
Slightly roasted caramel malt aroma with a slight smokey presence. Hints of esters, candy sugar and dark fruit notes from the yeast as well as some raisin, plum, fig and prune. Zesty peppery spice in the nose.
Tightly carbonated up front with a strong zesty peppery spice presence. Slightly roasty chocolate and caramel maltiness with sweet candy sugar and dark fruit. Hints of plum, raisin, date and fig. Slight alcohol warmth with a dry finish. Somewhat medicinal with slight syrupy texture.
★ 715 characters
Canaster Winterscotch Ale from KleinBrouwerij De Glazen Toren
3.86
out of 5
based on 128 ratings.
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.
★ 338 characters