Carrabassett Winter Ale
Casco Bay Brewing Co.

The appearance was a murky copper color with a small white foamy head swiftly folding up to barely leave any lace, what was there was somewhat stringy.
The aroma had some caramel and toffee malts punching at some dry earthy hop spices. The flavor mildly impressed upon me some earthy leafy hoppiness with some bitterness. Fairly long aftertaste of earthy hops and toffee malts. The mouthfeel was about medium bodied with a fair sipping quality about it. Good carbonation with a pleasing finish of dried tobacco to earthy crisp leafiness.
Overall, to me seems like a cross between an English IPA and a winter warmer. Actually, I'd say more English IPA as it seems the spices lean towards the hop side rather than as an adjunct.

Pours a copper color with a thin head and very little lacing.

Smell is mostly malty with hints of caramel and some other spice.

Much like the smell, the taste is predominately malty, although it does have a decent hop kick in the aftertaste. Though not as hearty as I like my winter warmers to be, it does make it easier to down a few.

12oz bottle from Florian's. Reddish brown translucent body with a quarter inch of off-white head. Aroma is dominated by a slightly roasty, caramel malt character. Flavor is nutty, caramelly, and roasty, with a hint of diacetyl. Medium in body, but a little lighter than expected. Fairly drinkable. An okay beer. Not the best I've had from them (either Carrabassett or Casco), but a decent beer anyways.

While I agree with the previous reviews, we all have our own individual criteria in judging beers. The appearance is exceptional, a deep reddish look with a thin head. First taste was a tad tart, which is unique in that I have yet to try a real hoppy Maine beer. Winter Ales should have a heavy body with a kick; this one does not seem to offer much competition to the brutal Maine winters. A good, quality beer with a malty touch and a somewhat rough finish. I picked this up, along with several others on a recent trip to Portland (Maine), a very underrated beer mecca . Cheers to all who have a passion for good beer. Jerry

PS: I am drinking this as I write this

Pours a translucent cherry-wood color with a thin white head. Smells of caramel and lightly fruity with just hints of spice.

Taste is fruity and spicy. Some initial bitterness up front followd by a caramel sweetness. Smooth. No fizz in this beer at all but that's not really a bad thing. Almost flat but lightly sticky on the palate.

This is a very drinkable winter ale but really nothing special here. Good for the price but Casco Bay makes a much better winter ale with a similiar price.

Carrabassett Winter Ale pours a deep copper red with an off-white head that erodes within minutes to a thin ring with little or no lacing. The aroma is malty with hints of toffee and some fruit odors and floral notes. The taste starts with malt and caramel up front followed by pear and citrus hop flavors. The finish is smooth with a blend of coffee, caramel, citrus, and hop bitterness bringing up the end. Aftertaste is a lingering hop bitterness with alcohol coming to the fore and malt starting to take a backseat. Mouthfeel is smooth and the body is medium thin for a Winter Ale.
Overall an O.K. Winter Ale but I wouldn't go out of my way to get one. When I think of Winter Ales I think bold, rich, creamy, and warmth. Carrabassett Winter is creamy, fairly rich, and faintly warm but not very bold. No bad flavors or aromas here just a bit weak for a Winter Ale IMHO.

A deep mahogany color, thick foamy head and good lace. Some malt to start but assertive hop flavor makes for a very hoppy finish. There are spices in there, cinnamon?? but they are quite subtle. The ABV is 7.3%.

Pours a very nice ruby tinged mahogany topped by a frothy ivory head that holds well and drops to a nice creamy collar and light surface covering. Some nice lace around the glass adds to the appearance. The nose expresses a distinctly toasty malt and a light touch of spice and alcohol. The body is medium with a fine carbonation that caresses the tongue and becomes lightly creamy as it warms. The flavor is brisk with a spicy character entwined with deeply toasted (borderline roasty) malt up front. The alcohol is somewhat noticeable but softens as it warms and the sweetness of the malt is enhanced. This "sweet spot" is kept short, however, as a firm bitterness appears towards the swallow and carries over into a long, dry and lightly spicy finish. The gentle spice adds to the character and charm of the beer and helps to balance the maltiness. As it warms some mild chocolate and spice flavor becomes more apparent. A really unique winter ale! Very nice enjoyed close to cellar temperature from a snifter on a cold night as the wind rips by outside.

Dark, almost opaque copper color with a tan head that shrank quickly but leaves plenty of lace. Toasty malt aromas, with a bit of an alcohol twinge. Toasted malt sweetness with a mouthfeel that seemed a bit thin to me, followed by a hoppy finish with some spice hints. An okay beer, but not very memorable, there are certainly better Winter brews from Maine.

This huge winter brew has a few welcoming seasonal characteristics. Very big malt presence with a warming alcohol flavor. Sweet and complex with a hint of yeast to the finish.

Sampled at the Maine Brewers Fest... This bier presented itself with a medium-to-dark copper color, and a nice, fine, thin head. Picked up some malty sweetness and hints of spices in the nose, yet it could be more forthcoming. Mouthfeel was medium all the way. Dark, sweet malt started me off, along with a wisp of spice (cinnamon?). A healthy hop bite kicks in at the finish, and lingers nicely. A pleasing brew!

overall: 3.9
appearance: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | mouthfeel: 4 | drinkability: 4

380