Decoy
Carton Brewing Company

DecoyDecoy
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From:
Carton Brewing Company
 
New Jersey, United States
Style:
Winter Warmer
Ranked #7
ABV:
12%
Score:
90
Ranked #9,613
Avg:
4.03 | pDev: 9.18%
Reviews:
17
Ratings:
121
Status:
Active
Rated:
Jan 16, 2023
Added:
Jan 22, 2013
Wants:
  12
Gots:
  14
"Winter Warmer: 12% | IBU: 26 | SRM: 19

At his restaurant, Eleven Madison Park, Chef Daniel Humm makes an extraordinary five spice roast duck. The genesis of Decoy is our notion that those spices would affectionate the fig notes of a Belgian Strong malt bill in the direction of a winter warmer. Cumin, coriander, lavender flowers, Sichuan red peppercorns and honey are added to Special B malts and Belgian candi sugars, with American ale yeast chosen because its esters enhance rather than dominate as would a Belgian. A strong, gently-spiced ale, Decoy is intended to sit next to or in place of a fire during the bracing cold of winter. Drink Decoy because life and spice…
"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ann3LarlJFA&list=UUnN44_ILc3y0x6WbvjLR1Kg
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by JC333:
Photo of JC333
Rated by JC333 from New York

4.07/5  rDev +1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75

Feb 15, 2016
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 4.25 by paulish from New York

Jan 16, 2023
Photo of larryi86
Reviewed by larryi86 from Delaware

4.21/5  rDev +4.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Thank you y2kawakami for this
12 oz can poured into a teku

A- Brown with a small tan head.

S- Dark fruits, figs, lavender, some honey, a little herbal, nice mild pepper spice.

T- Figs, dark fruits, cherries, lavender, touch of honey, nice mix of cumin and peppercorn spice.

M- Smooth, medium to full body.

O- An interesting beer, does a nice job of fitting the description even though it seems to break from a traditional Winter Warmer as far as style description goes.
Apr 20, 2020
Photo of FriedSlug
Reviewed by FriedSlug from North Carolina

4.21/5  rDev +4.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Sweet, Belgian style beer with unusual spices. Coriander, cumin, lavender and a little Sichuan red peppercorns make for a damn tasty beer. Tastes like a quad but with a little flowery notes and a touch of heat. Quite a good beer.
Mar 18, 2020
 
Rated: 4.21 by ummswimmin from New Jersey

Mar 22, 2019
 
Rated: 4.43 by Vylo from New Jersey

Jan 12, 2019
 
Rated: 3.91 by BeerForMuscle from New Jersey

Jan 09, 2019
Photo of Antg8989
Reviewed by Antg8989 from New Jersey

4.46/5  rDev +10.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Honestly, one of the only examples I've had at this style that isn't completely over the top. Tastes like a Belgian, but goes down much easier. The spice level is appropriate and makes sense the the 12% ABV.
Dec 31, 2018
 
Rated: 3.5 by oline73 from Maryland

Mar 12, 2018
 
Rated: 4.04 by EnthusedAboutBeer from New Jersey

Jan 27, 2018
 
Rated: 4.12 by shoretaxi from New Jersey

Jan 10, 2018
Photo of BFCarr
Rated by BFCarr from New Jersey

4.05/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
You wouldn't know it's 12% unless it said so on the lable. An interesting brew.
Jan 07, 2018
Photo of MacMalt
Reviewed by MacMalt from New Jersey

4.1/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Canned 12/12/2017 and poured into Carton teku glass. It pours an apricot color with ruby hues, resembling a barleywine, with a half finger of light khaki head and lacing. It has quite an aroma: sweet malt, cherry, tobacco smoke, coriander, and pepper. This has to be one of the most unusual tasting beers I've had. Its dark cherry and fig, coriander, and clove remind me of a Belgian Strong Ale but there is also an smoky-earthiness and a strong pepper that give it a unique flavor. While it appears a first sip to be almost cloyingly sweet, the sweetness is quickly eclipsed by the spice and pepper. The flavors blend nicely and the beer "works." It has a fairly creamy, viscous mouth feel with moderate carbonation. It's not overtly boozy but you can feel the 12% ABV; it's definitely a sipper. Overall, this is an adventuresome and satisfying beer that's vintage Carton. I'm not a big fan of the Winter Warmer style but Decoy is very good!
Dec 31, 2017
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Reviewed by deleted_user_995920

4.5/5  rDev +11.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Well this is interesting. Pours an apricot orange with a slight off white head. Smells like a roasted duck with so much going on it is spicy,sweet, juicy. Tastes smooth and well balanced. Feels smooth and finishes semi dry. Overall I am really impressed. Without some serious brewing skill this could have been bad. Carton is in my opinion is one of the best brewers.Revision: 2 years later and still delicious, Oddly now it is a reddish/cola color vs 2 years ago I wrote apricot/orange. Big color difference. Still delicious.
Dec 26, 2017
 
Rated: 3.7 by Timtac from New Jersey

Jan 03, 2017
 
Rated: 4.24 by swanfungus from California

Nov 29, 2016
 
Rated: 4.05 by TheGent from New Jersey

Jul 20, 2016
 
Rated: 3.75 by Rich_K from New Jersey

Jul 19, 2016
 
Rated: 3.75 by newbeeraday from Pennsylvania

May 27, 2016
 
Rated: 3.25 by XmnwildX12 from Minnesota

May 04, 2016
Decoy from Carton Brewing Company
Beer rating: 90 out of 100 with 121 ratings