Winter Fest
Red Bell Brewery & Pub

Offered only in clear plastic cups at the brewpub in the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia, Red Bell's Winter Fest is somewhat odd in color: like a black and tan that is mixed instead of separated. More accurately, it looks like a watered-down porter: dark reddish-brown but not opaque. The head, if any was allowed to form by the bartender, was whitish and essentially gone by the time I was able to sip it.

Given the makeup of this brew, there is surprisingly very little spice in the overall aroma. The aroma is mildly sweet in the nose to rather generic in the mouth.

The first taste is rather bland: mostly malt with a slight hint of cinnamon and perhaps nutmeg. Carbonation is medium at the beginning and almost non-existent at the finish. As the beer warms mid-glass, the hops start to become barely noticeable. The beer finishes smooth albeit not very interesting.

I was seeking out their Black Cherry Stout at the time, but this was the closest they had on tap. It is an average beer at best.

Medium brown uncarbonated look. Sweet floral nose with a hint of spice. The light brown color also resembles tea. There is a very slight white head. The brew has a flat sweet taste with a slight hint of cinnamon and a very slight hop flower finish. Not a beer that I would seek out, but not repulsive. An average winter selection. Drink their IPA!