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Nor' Easter Winter Warmer
Captain Lawrence Brewing Co.


Beer Geek Stats
| Print Shelf Talker
- From:
- Captain Lawrence Brewing Co.
- New York, United States
- Style:
- Belgian Dark Strong Ale
- ABV:
- 12%
- Score:
- 91
- Avg:
- 4.07 | pDev: 12.78%
- Reviews:
- 216
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Retired
- Rated:
- Nov 20, 2017
- Added:
- Feb 12, 2007
- Wants:
- 153
- Gots:
- 58
SCORE
91
Outstanding
91
Outstanding


Notes:
This is a truly unique brew, combining some unusual elements to create a powerful, yet flavorful brew. I brewed a similar beer to this one back in 1998, while I was home brewing out in California. Only this time around, I decided to age it in bourbon barrels to add a new element to the already rich sensory profile. The combination of dark malt, elderberries and bourbon barrels makes for an interesting tasting experience. This is a sippin’ beer, so sit back by the fire and enjoy.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Reviewed by Lucular from Maryland
3.37/5 rDev -17.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25
3.37/5 rDev -17.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25
The description says the "combination of dark malt, elderberries and bourbon barrels makes for an interesting tasting experience" but for me it was just strange. Not horrible but definitely not a huge success either.
Nov 20, 2017Reviewed by StonedTrippin from Colorado
4.25/5 rDev +4.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.25/5 rDev +4.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
i didnt expect this to be funky but it was, and reading through some reviews, it sounds like others have not had the same experience, so i am wondering if i had an infected bottle or something, but its so good that it seems like the funk in here is intentional, light bacterial pucker, possibly picked up in the barrels, and a really farmy almost wildness to it, piquant with the almost medicinal plum and elderberry character, i thought it was amazing, intentional or not. its rich and creamy for a beer with some acidity, and has a warming and festive bouquet of flavors from tobacco to prune, cocoa and smoke, vanilla and whiskey, its really impressively complex, and the pucker doesnt erode any of the structure, i really dig that. this is unlike other winter warmers, its not sweet, loaded with clove and anise and brown sugar, or boozy to the point of being absurd, its a challenging yet highly refined brew that holds up to cold weather mighty well. the sour part i suspect is not planned for, but its a happy accident in my bottle. these guys are doing some really intriguing and high quality stuff right now!
Oct 28, 2017Reviewed by Lone_Freighter from Vermont
3.6/5 rDev -11.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
3.6/5 rDev -11.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
Poured into a snifter, the appearance was a semi-dark brown color with a little creamy colored head leaving some sticky lacing. The aroma had some roast, berries, brown sugar and caramel/toffee malts. The flavor copied the aroma pretty much spot on, leaning to the sweet side and adding some nuts. Subtle nutty to berry aftertaste hitting the finish, somewhat sticky, but slightly acceptable. On the body, this one was medium bodied with a fair sessionability about it. Mild carbonation and the ABV felt good. Overall, nicely strong ale, but was this really a Belgian Strong Dark Ale? Not so sure about that.
Jun 30, 2017Reviewed by Eamonn-Cummings3 from New York
4.1/5 rDev +0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4.1/5 rDev +0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Thought this was a fitting beer for our weather in NY today. This has been in the cellar for a few years, so I am not sure on the vintage.
Poured from a 750ml bottle into a tulip glass.
Look is a black, a lot darker than I expected with little to no head.
Aroma is pure berry and a sweet malty note at the end.
Taste is a mix of slightly tart/sweet berry and malty winter warmer. It's an interesting combo, but def good.
Jan 23, 2017Poured from a 750ml bottle into a tulip glass.
Look is a black, a lot darker than I expected with little to no head.
Aroma is pure berry and a sweet malty note at the end.
Taste is a mix of slightly tart/sweet berry and malty winter warmer. It's an interesting combo, but def good.
Reviewed by Radio_Free_J-Ro from New York
4.08/5 rDev +0.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.75
4.08/5 rDev +0.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.75
Batch #5. More sour than I was expecting. But that's ok. I bought this last week (Jan 2015) from the aged rack at a local BD for $12.99. The bourbon barrel aging is awesome, and I'm working on getting more into sours. I can hang with this. Also, I waited until the first snow here on Long Island. Perfect.
Jan 18, 2016Reviewed by GPHarris from Alabama
4.49/5 rDev +10.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
4.49/5 rDev +10.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
batch #5
a - poured a one finger thick creamy coffee-colored head into a snifter that left good lace and a thin sheet throughout. dark color almost red wine like.
s - chocolate, dark berries and plums.
t - dark fruit, bourbon woodiness with a hint of tartness.
m - creamy and smooth.
o - really terrific sipper. excellent beer and complex.
Jan 22, 2014a - poured a one finger thick creamy coffee-colored head into a snifter that left good lace and a thin sheet throughout. dark color almost red wine like.
s - chocolate, dark berries and plums.
t - dark fruit, bourbon woodiness with a hint of tartness.
m - creamy and smooth.
o - really terrific sipper. excellent beer and complex.
Reviewed by Justin_Neff from Ohio
3.86/5 rDev -5.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.86/5 rDev -5.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Bottle poured into a MadTree Snifter
A: Pours a dark brown, molasses colored body. Yields a light khaki colored thin head that slides down the glass quickly with a minimal amount of retention. Leaves a thin layer of retention. Pours like a strong ale or a scotch ale.
S: The waft in this one is really nice. Bourbon is subtle and not overbearing at all, with a strong berry aroma. There is some oak. Vanilla and some walnut and toasted almonds.
T: Whoa baby this is different than I was expecting from the nose. Bourbon is coming through perfectly upfront. There's a strong sweet berry flavor that slaps you right across the face mid-drink that finishes sharp with a boozy warmth and toffee.
M: Full body. Moderately high carbonation. Sticky. Boozy.
O: A solid brew. Not at all what I was expecting, but that's not necessarily a bad thing in this case. I wasn't expecting such a strong berry presence, but overall it meshes together well. I suspect this was a very different beer fresh. Glad I got a chance to try this one.
Dec 30, 2013A: Pours a dark brown, molasses colored body. Yields a light khaki colored thin head that slides down the glass quickly with a minimal amount of retention. Leaves a thin layer of retention. Pours like a strong ale or a scotch ale.
S: The waft in this one is really nice. Bourbon is subtle and not overbearing at all, with a strong berry aroma. There is some oak. Vanilla and some walnut and toasted almonds.
T: Whoa baby this is different than I was expecting from the nose. Bourbon is coming through perfectly upfront. There's a strong sweet berry flavor that slaps you right across the face mid-drink that finishes sharp with a boozy warmth and toffee.
M: Full body. Moderately high carbonation. Sticky. Boozy.
O: A solid brew. Not at all what I was expecting, but that's not necessarily a bad thing in this case. I wasn't expecting such a strong berry presence, but overall it meshes together well. I suspect this was a very different beer fresh. Glad I got a chance to try this one.
Reviewed by mquartuccio87 from New York
4.15/5 rDev +2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.75
4.15/5 rDev +2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.75
love this beer batch 4 is the best in my opinion. it has alot of sourness and balance. love drinking it especially in the colder months you cant go wrong. black in color very bourbony, good viscosity and overall taste. one bottle will get tipsy quick.
Oct 02, 2013
Nor' Easter Winter Warmer from Captain Lawrence Brewing Co.
Beer rating:
91 out of
100 with
321 ratings
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