Winning Jar Ale - Summer 2009
Selin's Grove Brewing Company

On cask at SGB on 8/1/09.

A - Hazy reddish copper color with deep amber hues and a slim, bubbly off-white head that fully receded and left sparse, spotty lace around the glass.

S - Lots of caramel malt with a subtle alcohol presence and sweet toffee and candy-esque notes. A hint of floral and perfumy hops also escape. Some mild spice and a hint of dark fruit emerges in the background.

T - Initial flavor is toffee, molasses and brown sugar. Quite sweet up front with a touch of floral and perfumy hop bitterness. However, the dominant flavor here is caramel... lots of caramel. A slight grainy character develops in the finish, giving the malt profile a slight change of pace.

M - Medium bodied with a smooth, syrupy texture resulting in a soft cask mouthfeel overall. Sweet on the palate with only mild bitterness on the tongue.

D - This drinks like a malty red ale with a subtle hop presence. I detect quite a bit of SGB's Scottish ale in this latest version of Winning Jar, with perhaps a splash of their maibock or brown ale. I always love when these are on the hand pump!

Hard to pigeon hole this one into a style category. With the Winning Jar series being a blend of multiple beers sometimes it is hard picking a style. So, while English Brown Ale might not fit for some I feel it is close.

A-Deep copper with a thin light tan/cream colored head that reduces to a thin ring and leaves spotty lace.

S-Mild bourbon-esque notes with an overwash of sweet caramel malt and a touch of oak astringency.

T-A deceptive and stealthy bourbon character in this one. A very well balanced combination of roasted and sweet caramel malt. Good backing earthy bitterness in the finish. Very good balance between the bitterness and sweetness.

M-Medium bodied and VERY smooth with nice, lingering oak notes.

D-Where are the bourbon notes in this one coming from? Very smooth and extremely drinkable. Becomes quite "silky" as it warms. Another winner in the Winning Jar series!