Winter Ale Special Edition 2004-05
Mendocino Brewing Company

Winter Ale Special Edition 2004-05Winter Ale Special Edition 2004-05
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From:
Mendocino Brewing Company
 
United States
Style:
Winter Warmer
ABV:
7%
Score:
88
Avg:
3.91 | pDev: 10.74%
Reviews:
47
Ratings:
47
Status:
Retired
Rated:
Dec 03, 2011
Added:
Dec 06, 2004
Wants:
  0
Gots:
  0
No description / notes.
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Ratings by Billolick:
Photo of Billolick
Reviewed by Billolick from New York

3.95/5  rDev +1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
12 ouncer sampled, pours almost black, hmm, dark for a winter ale. Dark tan head, spice, pine and cola in the aromatic nose. This is a full bodied, full flavor brew. Winter spicing bold and up front. Also notes of vanilla, cocoa, grainy coffee and warming alcohol. Nice, smooth finish, well done winter warmer. fine winter sipper
Mar 13, 2005
More User Ratings:
Photo of mikesgroove
Reviewed by mikesgroove from South Carolina

3.23/5  rDev -17.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
amber with a huge creamy head that quickly faded leaving some nice lace down the sides. Smell was hoppy with sweet caramel undertones and a slight smell of alcohol. The taste was extremely sweet. Almost tasted like candy. Dry hopped finish, but still very sweet.
Dec 03, 2011
Photo of kinger
Reviewed by kinger from Ohio

3.41/5  rDev -12.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Sampled from a pint glass, didn't get a very strong aroma. Deep copper color with generous lacing and a solid head especially for the high abv. Full mouthfeel, nice finish. Flavor is very hoppy and bitter. Not a huge fan of this brewer, their underlying hop profile generally doesn't agree with me but this is one of their better brews.
Oct 28, 2008
Photo of ChainGangGuy
Reviewed by ChainGangGuy from Georgia

3.85/5  rDev -1.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Appearance: Pours a flat, dark brown body with no real head, but it's been three long years, so I can't hold that against it.

Smell: Dark malts with a soothing, earthy scent of dusty baker's chocolate and minor notes of caramel and roast.

Taste: Dark maltiness, a taste of unsweetened chocolate and then caramel. Dash of good, wholesome spring water. Some roastiness and hints of coffee develop near the end.

Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied. Medium carbonation.

Drinkability: It's good! An aged goodness, though, but that's better than no goodness at all, right?
May 06, 2008
Photo of Gueuzedude
Reviewed by Gueuzedude from Arizona

3.95/5  rDev +1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
The beer is an opaque black color that is topped by an initially one-finger thick, fairly quickly disappearing, dirt brown, dark tan colored head. The aroma has definitely taken on an aged character. It is certainly not overtly oxidized, but has picked up notes of concentrated aged malt and burnt sherry. Condensed notes of dark chocolate and dark roast coffee mix quite well and the combination of the two is perhaps the most noticeable part of the aroma. A touch of dry, burnt, grain husk aromatics adds an almost chalky note and a touch of a burnt acidity to the aroma.

There is a touch of soft creaminess to the feel of this beer. On the whole it is fairly light, but does have a certain richness that helps it to linger on the tongue. The finish has a nice chocolate note to it that is almost soft enough to be described as a dark milk chocolate character. Smooth roasted notes of espresso and burnt malt add a touch of acidity to the finish, but definitely a dark grain derived bitterness as well. There is a note of burnt fruitiness here, noticeable in both the aroma and flavor (perhaps more so in the aroma), that reminds me of burnt figs. A malty sweet middle is here as well, it is not as apparent as it's intensity would suggest as the roast flavors of this beer help to hold it in check quite well.

Really in the end the smooth chocolaty, malty middle is what stands out the most to me here. This beer is very drinkable, actually down right quaffable. The flavors show less age than the aroma might suggest, though I think that the body has likely lightened up a bit over the past couple years.
Nov 20, 2006
Photo of mjc410
Reviewed by mjc410 from Vermont

4.1/5  rDev +4.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4
I bought this by the case from a discount rack in the summer of '05. I never reviewed it then, but it was much more bitter and alcoholic, and also tasted overly roasted. Things have developed a bit... (consumed 30 Jul 2006)

Poured somewhat vigorously into a tall, skinny straight glass. The beer is utterly black, capped by a very slight brown lace. Looking closely, I see small bubbles rise to the surface and spread out. It's fascinating how this liquid seems to absorb light, and yet I can see these bubbles along the edge of the glass. On smelling, I pick up brown sugar, a bit of burnt coffee, cocoa, and hints of caramel. I can't tell if the pungeantness I smell is hops or roast (leaning toward roast for the style and age), but it's very inviting. My first sip tells me immediately that the cellar time was well spent. The beer has taken on a vinous port character, although it is quite integrated into the other flavors, which are rich coffee accompanied by sweetness at first, followed by more coffee and port, which finally recedes to bittersweetness. The mouthfeel is the weakest link - it's very thin, especially considering the other potencies, but nonetheless still fairly well carbonated. I would appreciate more thickness, especially if I were drinking this during Winter. Overall, it aged well, and was very nice with some fresh walnut brownies. I've got four more bottles in the cellar, and I think I'll save them for the snow.
Aug 02, 2006
Photo of kmcnair
Reviewed by kmcnair from California

3.6/5  rDev -7.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3
12 oz bottle.

Pours an opaque black color and makes a tanned head that stands about an inch thick. Head retention is not so great, but given the age on this beer, it gets a break.

Aromas of burnt dark grains, liquorice, dark dried fruits.

Very rich flavor featuring dark caramelized sugars meld into a thick, velvety chocolatey, mocha coffee. Strong figs, prunes and a slight hint of diacetyl tell me that it is a bit passed it's prime. More of a robust/imperial porter than a winter warmer IMHO.

Crisp carbonation, medium bodied and a pretty dry finish.

I'm certain this beer was better fresh, but its still drinkable at this point in time.

Thanks Jredner for the bottle!
Jul 10, 2006
Photo of jj21
Reviewed by jj21 from Wisconsin

3.82/5  rDev -2.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
12 ounce bottle
Looks like dark coffee with a scarce head that dissipates quickly. Aromas of chocolate malts and smoke. Mellow hop aftertaste follows smooth malty flavor. I tasted this after it was a year old, I think it would have been much better fresh, but still not too bad. Very easy drinker.
Apr 25, 2006
Photo of Sammy
Reviewed by Sammy from Canada (ON)

3.6/5  rDev -7.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
Tar black with little head. Molasses aroma. Straight porter with mollasses and only a faint woodiness, roast and chocolate. Mouthfeel is probably medium, but feels thin because of all the better porters I have had. Drying finish. An easy drink with dinner.
Apr 23, 2006
Photo of danielharper
Reviewed by danielharper from Michigan

4.18/5  rDev +6.9%
look: 3 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Purchased from Strong Bros. Liquor Store, Fayetteville, TN.

A: Pure black body, wispy tan head that dissipated immediately.

S: Malty, toasted chocolate aroma. Slight hoppiness. _Very_ inviting. No spices at all.

T: At first taste, this tastes just like a stout: very malty, slightly drying, roasted and toasty. But in the aftertaste we get a bit of the spiciness that a winter warmer should be known for. Very different for a winter warmer, but a near-perfect stout.

M: Thick, velvety. Slight tang as the beer goes down.

D: I could drink these regularly. I know it's a year old or so, but this beer is really good, thought of as a stout, although less so for a winter warmer. I'll be buying more if I can find it to see if this was just an odd bottle.
Mar 17, 2006
Photo of Jredner
Reviewed by Jredner from Florida

3.93/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Nice sharp hop aroma with ample coffee and bitter chocolate notes. Black with a pinky thick, lasting, mocha head. Coffe and roasted hops. Very bitter finish that made me love it. This is the best I have had from Mendocino. Nice beer that far exceeded my expectations.
Jan 20, 2006
Photo of pentathlete
Reviewed by pentathlete from Virginia

4.03/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Unexpected inky black with a small tan head. Looks like a porter to me. Bread dominates the nose with some hints of chocolate and spices. Licorice laces the malt flavors with a pervasive but not overly bitter hop character. Carbonic bite in the middle and finish kept this from having a fuller mouthfeel. Flavors were like a mild Baltic porter. The spices didn't seem strong enough to be a winter warmer (at least an American version). A fine, if confusing, brew. Drink it for what it is: a dark ale with some interesting flavors.
Nov 19, 2005
Photo of bigdeuce
Reviewed by bigdeuce from Pennsylvania

4.47/5  rDev +14.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Mendocino Winter Ale is almost a cousin of the Russian Imperial Stout, it's more a stout than a winter warmer, but who cares. This beer is excellent! Very malty with high cocoa concentration. The smell is what is the best and where I feel it is a cousin of the Stout. Also, very toasty with roasted coffee sediment a little bitter at first goes down smoothly. Terrificly priced at 5.49 a sixer. The only problem with this excellent beer is you can only get it 2 or 3 months a year.
Oct 11, 2005
Photo of Shiredave
Reviewed by Shiredave from New York

3.17/5  rDev -18.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
This beer is unique to the Saratoga NY Branch of the Mendocino Brewing Co.
Very dark brown color, tall frothy tawny head that slumps quickly leaving a few specks of lace.
A strong sweet coco aroma dominates the first whiff. Very malty with hints of nutmeg or other baking spice.
Flavors are sharp and metalic from the start - harsh and unbalanced to me with a sickly bloody bitterness all the way thru to the finish.
Sugary, light to medium malt body seems watery compared to the rich malty intro from the aroma. Some chocolate flavors carry over but rough dark grain and hop bitterness overpower any subtle sweetness that would add complexity or balance to this beer.
Finish is slightly alcoholic with a strong long lasting tinny bitter aftertaste.
This one aged for 6 months in a cool dark place and didnt do it any favors. Not bad, but not quite good either.
Sep 04, 2005
Photo of BEERchitect
Reviewed by BEERchitect from Kentucky

2.92/5  rDev -25.3%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3
Looks thick and rich. Very porter or stout like. Tan to brown head formed quickly and persisted fairly well. Low carbonation and big bubbles.

Smells of sweet roasted malts, coffee, chocolate, toffee. Smells much like a porter or stout. Deep but subtle souring.

Tastes again like a dark porter or sweet stout. Heavy doses of roasted barley and chocolate malt. Much thinner body than one would expect. Medium, round mouthfeel. Body fades quickly into aftertase which lingers with roastedness and bitterness.

Impression: Too weak in the body for a legitimate stout or porter. Too roasted to be a brown ale. It' caught somewhere in between. Nevertheless, a good drinking beer.
Jun 24, 2005
Photo of RBorsato
Reviewed by RBorsato from Virginia

4.95/5  rDev +26.6%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5
Pure black with a full creamy brown head, good carbonation, and some lace. Dark chocolate and roasty coffee aroma with a touch of hops to balance the nose. Robust roasty, chocolately Robust Porter/American Stout aroma and flavor; reminds me a bit of a Starbucks mocha. Medium-full bodied and smooth with a dry roasty finish.

Excellent rich and robust Porter/Stout style !! Will buy a case next year if it's the same brew...

Per label: "Saratoga Springs, NY" & "Chocolate and Caramel malts, Warrior and Cascade hops"

2004-2005 version
Tasted: 05/26/05
Jun 06, 2005
Photo of Brent
Reviewed by Brent from Kentucky

4.3/5  rDev +10%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
I was a bit hesitant to buy a winter seasonal in May, but with 7% abv, I figured it should hold up pretty well. It certainly had. Poured near-black with a mocha head that settled rather quickly. Sweet roasted malt aroma. Flavor profile was dominated by a dark roasted chocolate malt. Maple syrup and light molasses were noted, and while the beer had dense, complex sugar flavors, the overall level of sweetness was only moderate. Hops played a supporting role to the malt, but were not plowed under, and lent a broad Cascade bittering at the finish. Mouthfeel at the end was a bit slick, but not unpleasantly so. The alcohol was nowhere to be found in the flavor. Overall, this was very well done. While the brewer calls it a winter warmer, I'd put it in the robust porter family.
May 05, 2005
Photo of elsinore
Reviewed by elsinore from Pennsylvania

3.88/5  rDev -0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
This beer reminded me of some of the better porters I've tried.
I thought I was an idiot ("It's an ALE, not a PORTER, stoopid") until I checked BA and found I was not alone in that impression.

Anyhow, this one pours from the bottle a deep brown, with a nice tan head that leaves some pleasing lace on the glass.
I got mostly dark malts and coffee out of the smell -- not as complex as what others have reported, but still fine.
The tastes ... hmmm .. chocolate, coffee, a hint of molasses, and a bite of hop bitterness at the end, all mixing together very nicely with a smooth mouthfeel.
I did get *some* sense that this had a higher ABV than your basic beer, but the alcohol didn't hit me over the head.
This would definitely do the trick as a winter warmer, but is not so heavy or alcoholic that you couldn't enjoy it on a warm spring day as well.

Perhaps also worth mentioning: I got this stuff on a pretty deep discount at my local package store, which was trying to get rid of it, it being a winter ale and this being April.
It's possible, I suppose, that the beer I bought (which was not freshness dated) might be reaching its use-by date, and that the stuff might be even better in January when it's really fresh.
No matter -- it's still very good now, so much so that I am considering swinging back for another case.
All in all, would definitely recommend this for winter or spring drinking.
Apr 29, 2005
Photo of weeare138
Reviewed by weeare138 from Pennsylvania

4.25/5  rDev +8.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
It looks almost like a porter, or a stout with a half inch head when poured. Leaves scatterings of lace as it goes down. Tiny lines of bubbles arising from the bottom of the glass, straight up to the creamy beige head.
Smells like roasted (borderline burnt) malts, cocoa, and spice. Not what I expected from this one.
The mouthfeel is is creamy with the taste nailing each and every taste bud from the sweetness of the brew in the front of my tounge, ripping through the middle and back with the balanced bitters and roasted tastiness. Very nice! Tastes delicious.
It is very drinkable for this borderline porter. I like it a lot. Probably couldn't drink these all night but I would recommend as an after dinner, or a night capper. Probably very nice with a fine cigar.

Finger licking good!
Apr 07, 2005
Photo of maybrick
Reviewed by maybrick from Pennsylvania

3.92/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
I had the joful opportunity to have this brew on 3/22/2005. I poured it into a 16 ounce pint glass. Very dark with hints of red. Good head. Wonderful nose - even cold one can pick up the carmel & chocolate malts. Surprisingly, you can also detect a strong hop aromoa.

I was impressed with the taste. It is sweet on the fron end but remarbaly has a wonderful hop finish! What a nice balance between malt and hop profiles. The bottle neck label reveals this is 7.00 abv. I think it actually may be slightly higher.

If you rn across it, have one I think you'll enjoy it.
Mar 23, 2005
Winter Ale Special Edition 2004-05 from Mendocino Brewing Company
Beer rating: 88 out of 100 with 47 ratings