Winter Ale
Rivertown Brewery & Barrel House

Winter AleWinter Ale
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From:
Rivertown Brewery & Barrel House
 
Ohio, United States
Style:
Winter Warmer
ABV:
7%
Score:
82
Avg:
3.63 | pDev: 15.98%
Reviews:
43
Ratings:
141
Status:
Retired
Rated:
Dec 23, 2020
Added:
Nov 28, 2010
Wants:
  2
Gots:
  26
Snow days. Comfy sweaters. Family and Friends. In search for the perfect balance of spice, warmth and body, we chose to brew this beer with Saigon Cinnamon, due to its unique balance of spicy and sweet, and Blackstrap Molasses known for its robust, rich, slightly bitter notes. Picture enjoying the comfort of freshly baked gingerbread in liquid form on a blustery winter afternoon curled up in front of the fire. With its thick, creamy tan head stacked atop a dark, rich, umber hued body laced with hints of caramel, toffee and cinnamon, Winter Ale is brewed to warm the soul and tame any snow beast on even the coldest of nights.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by CincySpectre:
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Rated by CincySpectre from Ohio

3.25/5  rDev -10.5%

Nov 12, 2014
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 3.77 by Hefsbeercaps from Ohio

Dec 23, 2020
 
Rated: 4 by C_Adams from Ohio

Oct 23, 2017
 
Rated: 2.8 by CPE1704TKS from Florida

Sep 04, 2017
 
Rated: 3.75 by freewill35 from Indiana

Feb 01, 2017
 
Rated: 4.61 by Yeldarb92 from Ohio

Jan 22, 2017
 
Rated: 3.43 by Madasyn from Ohio

Jan 22, 2017
Photo of smcolw
Reviewed by smcolw from Massachusetts

3.44/5  rDev -5.2%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
Light brown and cloudy. Small head which a couple of minute spots on the glass for lace.

Sweet caramel along with stale yeast to the nose. Some brown sugar and cinnamon as well.

The taste is far better than the smell with the traditional winter warmer flavors of pumpkin spices and cream. Far less sweetness on the tongue. This could be a bit from the high carbonation level. Decent body. The aftertaste has some alcohol warmth to it.
Jan 02, 2017
Photo of StevenMilligan
Reviewed by StevenMilligan from Florida

2.06/5  rDev -43.3%
look: 2 | smell: 2.25 | taste: 2.25 | feel: 1 | overall: 2
Look: Pours a clear light mahogany with no discernable head. No lacing.
Smell: Molasses, toasted malts, light cinnamon.
Taste: Watery mouthfeel is impossible to not notice at the first sip. Like the aroma, molasses, toasted malts, and cinnamon. Finish is slightly bitter. Cinnamon, despite brewer's notes is actually a little too sweet for my taste.
Feel: Light, waaaay too light. Carbonation is borderline a little too much. Not as heavy as your typical winter warmer.
Overall: I am severely disappointed. Almost a drain pour. Light mouthful is just off-putting enough to make it hard to notice any complexity from the choice ingredients they claim to use.
Oct 02, 2016
 
Rated: 2.52 by morebeergood from Massachusetts

May 07, 2016
Photo of Tsar_Riga
Reviewed by Tsar_Riga from Minnesota

4/5  rDev +10.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
A - Dark brown, slight red highlighting, hazy but mostly clear, very thin white wispy head. No real lacing.

S - Spice spice spice. Cinnamon, molasses, baked apples and a rich bread hit.

T - Follows that nose, with rich flavors. A bit of acidity and bitterness cuts in during the close.

M - Light. Very light. Too light for style. The flavor is full, so a bit more heft would be good.

O - Flavors are good, but I was looking for a bit more heft. The result is a nose and flavor that is lovely, but a quaff that seems should be rich and decadent, but ends up being a bit thin.
Apr 03, 2016
 
Rated: 3.53 by RickyBfromCT from Connecticut

Mar 27, 2016
 
Rated: 3.75 by khargro2 from Tennessee

Feb 16, 2016
 
Rated: 3.32 by seanote from Ohio

Jan 24, 2016
 
Rated: 4.36 by CDBeerDisappear from Ohio

Jan 15, 2016
 
Rated: 3.54 by amckeever from Massachusetts

Jan 06, 2016
 
Rated: 3.74 by Jcarriglio from Florida

Dec 27, 2015
 
Rated: 3.65 by Abe_Froman from Massachusetts

Dec 20, 2015
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Rated by DarthJustDaTip from Ohio

2.98/5  rDev -17.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
I just was not expecting sour, that's my fault.
Dec 20, 2015
Photo of Flounder57
Reviewed by Flounder57 from Massachusetts

3.81/5  rDev +5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Served in a snifter at the Union Brewhouse in Weymouth.

Appearance: A one finger off white head was poured that reduced to a thin layer. It is a crimson color with good clarity and vision of bubbles coming up through the glass. Spotty lacing down the glass as the beer was drank.

Smell: Clove, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, toasted, bready, and caramel malts.

Taste: Same as above. Drinks well. Nice spice, herbal flavor, and balanced malt bill.

Mouthfeel: Smooth, medium bodied, medium carbonation, spicy, herbal, a little chewy, and enjoyable.

Overall: I could see myself enjoying another one of these during the holiday season.
Dec 12, 2015
Winter Ale from Rivertown Brewery & Barrel House
Beer rating: 82 out of 100 with 141 ratings