First Snow
Whitewater Brewing Company

473 mL can from the LCBO, included in Whitewater's winter mixed pack. The packaging date is smudged, but all of the other beers in this pack were dated late Sept/early Oct 2023, so it's safe to assume the same of this one. Served slightly chilled.

Pours dark brown with brilliant crimson red highlights, producing two inches of foamy, beige-coloured head that lasts for more than five minutes. It leaves behind multiple rings of messy lace as it drops off; its other remnants include a frothy collar and patchy cap - outstanding visually. Spicy aromas of cinnamon and nutmeg, with hints of ginger, clove and maybe some allspice; hints of roasted malts and molasses, but the spices are exceedingly dominant.

It's a decent spiced stout - the spices aren't too distracting, blending well with the underlying stout. Hints of chocolate, figgy dark fruits and molasses sweetness are detectable, alongside spicier notes of cinnamon, nutmeg and gingerbread. Hints of clove and vanilla join the fray later on, leading up to a sweet-ish, slightly warming & roasty finish followed by an off-dry aftertaste with lingering nutmeg. Medium bodied, with average carbonation that lightly prickles the palate; feels smooth and satisfying to sip. Fair drinkability for a spiced beer.

Final Grade: 3.67, a B grade. Whitewater's First Snow is an adequate seasonal stout that should have some crossover appeal for fans of spiced autumn ales, pumpkin beers and winter warmers. The nose had me worried that this might be over-spiced, but the flavours integrate well and come together nicely - though I do think the nutmeg, specifically, is a bit much. Needs more 'stout' character, too - particularly on the nose, but a little more roasted malt 'oomph' from the flavour would also help this brew stand out. One of the better beers in this mixed pack; I'd consider picking it up as a single.

Jan 13 2024