Out Cold Winter Ale
Sawtooth Brewery

neat beer, didnt think it was quite as strong as listed here, this may have come down some over the years, pretty sure they had it listed at 6.5% abv when i was in. amber in color, brewed with molasses, and quite hoppy, i feel like this malty hoppy combination is becoming a winter standard around here, definitely a few of these out, but this is unique because of the molasses, i think its loosely english overall, grain and yeast, long boiled maybe too, some caramelized concentrated character to the malt, lots of flavor. good clarity, frothy just off white head two inches high, and a sweet and bitter nose at the same time. toffee and maple notes, raisin and honey, then also the hops, which seem quite bold, high alpha, and sort of weird at first with all the malt richness, a breadiness and hearty warm baked character to the whole thing too. flavor follows, bitter from hops at the end, really balances some of the grain sweetness, and i think maybe the molasses has some slight bitterness too, thats a thing right? not as much sweetness leftover as expected, an old world vibe to the ferment, and definite bread pudding vibes, nice and robust, slightly herbal, i like it being wintery and even cozy without being spiced, and i dont get any alcohol at all, also suggesting the lower strength. overall a pleasant cold weather brew, maybe overly hoppy for some, but i like it being robust in both malt and hops, cool recipe with the molasses too.

22 oz bottle from Boise Co-op. Murky brown pour with very small airy head. Dark malt dominates the aroma, elements of porter, brown and English Strong ales readily apparent. Minor hints of molasses apparent in the taste, some fruitiness, but malt still rules. Dry and chalky mouthfeel, no signs of the 8.6% ABV. Would not put this in the spice/herb/vegetable category.

 

 

 

 

22 picked up a while back at Brewforia Meridian... Paid a very pricey $7 for what it is.

1/2" off white head rises up and dies back pretty quickly leaving spotty lacing atop a slightly hazed deep amber/cherry wood brew.

Really weird fruity "ripe apple" ester quality up front that I cannot believe the brewers would have wanted so prominent... fermented out molasses adds to the oddity.. dry toast and abundant biscuity maltiness without any supporting maltiness.. a smokey element reminds me of peat malt, but that could also be the molasses talking.

Odd flavor profile... not enough residual maltiness to really carry/tie the menagerie of flavors together... surprisingly dry... but a fermented dark toast/molasses and peat/almost meaty/jerky quality remains.. so very weird... with all these different descriptors, the flavor are remarkably thin.

Body is definitely light given the higher ABV.. carbonation seems to spritzy for my palate.

Okay beer for a start-up, but I would hope that this is dialed in significantly before next winter.

3.5/3/3/3.25/3