Nightcap Winter Ale
BridgePort Brewing Co. / Brewpub

Nightcap Winter AleNightcap Winter Ale
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From:
BridgePort Brewing Co. / Brewpub
 
Oregon, United States
Style:
Winter Warmer
ABV:
7.2%
Score:
81
Avg:
3.51 | pDev: 10.83%
Reviews:
27
Ratings:
33
Status:
Retired
Rated:
Sep 25, 2015
Added:
Nov 12, 2010
Wants:
  1
Gots:
  0
IBUs: 40
ABV: 7.2%
Color: Medium to dark brown
OG: 17.2
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by juhl31:
Photo of juhl31
Reviewed by juhl31 from California

3.28/5  rDev -6.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
-dark brown with a reddish hue to it. white head with a tan shade. pours with a decent head that leads to a paper thin retention the rest of the way

-has a pretty big nut character to the nose, maybe some vanilla and caramel. oak barely comes out

-nut still there, but not as strong as the nose. some wood taste to it. kind of reminds me a like a caramelized buttered toast type taste. the bourbon is not really apparent. maybe a bit at the end

-more of a carb bite that i want in a winter warmer. especially with a bit higher abv. some warmness comes in at the very end

-was very intrigued to try it, but it didnt wow me by any means. it's not trash, but i wouldn't ever consider buying it again unless they upped the bourbon barrel percentage
Dec 06, 2010
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 3.29 by DucksFan16 from Tennessee

Sep 25, 2015
Photo of UCLABrewN84
Reviewed by UCLABrewN84 from California

3.59/5  rDev +2.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Bottle shared at GRG1313’s tasting.

Pours a hazy orange with a foamy tan head that settles to a small cap on top of the beer. Small swaths of lace form around the glass on the drink down. Smell is malt, caramel, toffee, and bourbon aromas. Taste is much the same with a caramel flavor on the finish. There is a mild amount of woody bitterness on the palate with each sip. This beer has a lower level of carbonation with a slightly crisp and medium bodied mouthfeel. Overall, this is a pretty good beer that smells better than it tastes in my opinion.
May 09, 2013
 
Rated: 3.75 by Caleb from Colorado

Sep 15, 2012
 
Rated: 3 by FunkyAbsinthe from Oregon

Sep 09, 2012
 
Rated: 3 by hannaho from Washington

Feb 14, 2012
 
Rated: 3 by shelby415 from Oregon

Feb 12, 2012
 
Rated: 3 by JISurfer from Utah

Jan 01, 2012
Photo of TheStove
Reviewed by TheStove from Illinois

3.18/5  rDev -9.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Purchased the last one from liquor store in SF. Saved just about until next winter warmer season but figured it was worth cracking open given the 7.2% abv. Poured from a 22oz bomber into a 12oz mini imperial pint glass as two servings.

Pours a mahogany/rich deep brown color. Looks like quite a good brown ale but like a winter ale it has very low carbonation. Smells like sweet malt with slight molasses and hop coming through. The bourbon barrel is slightly there.

Rich malty flavor upon first sip, from sweet to some light bitterness. Slight bit of the bourbon barrel character jumps in to impart some booziness. Slight bit of hop tang at the end or maybe it's the snap from the bourbon barrels. Nice linger on the tongue almost like warm maple syrup.

Overall, at least as a winter warmer, it's slightly disappointing. I was hoping the bourbon barrel character might lend some complexity to this but I think it's an excuse to "warm" you for winter than to try to put something into this (spices) that makes it feel like winter. Either this is better as a big brown ale or I waited too long to crack this but I didn't get much Winter outside of the boozy taste at the end and at 7.2%, it's gonna take more to warm me up.
Sep 06, 2011
Photo of beerandcycling88
Reviewed by beerandcycling88 from Washington

3.61/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Poured from a kind of cool looking bomber into a mug.

A Pours a cola brown with a 2 finger off white head that sticks around and leaves lacing.

S First I get a bit of bourbon, then some malty notes and a bit of dark fruits. However the nose is kind of faint.

T The taste is pretty malty with some caramel notes along with smooth bourbon, and just a faint hint of hop bitterness.

M very smooth creamy beer. Drinks well

Overall this is a pretty good beer, that is enjoyable to drink. There is enough bourbon to keep it interesting but not overpower. A very good beer I hope Bridgeport brings back next winter.
Jul 12, 2011
Photo of HuskyinPDX
Reviewed by HuskyinPDX from Washington

3.41/5  rDev -2.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Taken from tasting notes on 2.14.11

22oz bottle poured into a pint glass.

A - Deep amber in color with lighter edges. Thich creamy head with good lacing and retention.

S- Smell is faint, slightly sweet and bourbon.

T - Very malty and bitter, finishes with a bourbon wave.

D - Bitter but good carbonation.
May 30, 2011
Photo of Offa
Reviewed by Offa from California

3.87/5  rDev +10.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4
Very dark red, big pale tan head slowly shrinks to foamy ring and no real lace.

Aroma is aromatic dark toast, tea, prunes, hints of Dr.Pepper and meat. Overall, it’s very nice.

Taste is fermented fruits, woody bitterness and pepper, light wine quality, dryish finish and a light spicy element. It’s very good, with a tiny bit of complexity, but not really great.
Apr 22, 2011
Photo of philbertk
Reviewed by philbertk from Washington

2.64/5  rDev -24.8%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5
Bridgeport Brewing Company--Nightcap Winter Ale--33% Ale Aged In Oak Bourbon Barrels And 67% Ale--Bridgeport Big Brews--Enjoy the Spirit of the Season--2010 22 oz. Bottle. 7.20% ABV. 30 IBU's? (2.5 / 5.0) Fizz rejuvenated dense foamy light tan lasting 1/2 inch plus head. Fizz clouded dark deep ruby bronze color. Strong Oak Bourbon mild hop front. Bottle Conditioned Barrel Aged sediment. Slightly creamy mild sweet malty oak infused mild fruit complex toffee body. Mild hop Bourbon end. Unbalanced! Sampled 3/25/2011. Purchased for $5.59 @ Fred Meyer--Ballard, Seattle on 11/11/2010. Still Available on Multiple shelves as of today.
Mar 29, 2011
Photo of birdypowder
Reviewed by birdypowder from Oregon

3.78/5  rDev +7.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
A balanced and very drinkable "big brew" winter ale. Wait is that possible...? As usual, Bridgeport serves up a balanced, tasty brew with high marks for drinkability. Cheers! Unfortunately, for a "winter warmer" and one that is partially aged in Makers Mark barrels, inspiring is not on the agenda for this Nightcap.

Appearance:
Looks good with deep ruby edges encasing a mysterious dark brown center. Light tan head caps this winter warmer though it doesn't stay around for long. However, lacing is respectable.

Smell:
Malty, dark fruits, raisins, some coconut and a light hot chocolate cocoa smell...all slightly ruined by a whiff of DMS. Where is the whiskey hit?

Taste:
Enjoyable malt profile hits you with that same dark fruity malty presence. Balanced. Hints of wood. Malty sweet finish, fades to an almost watery ending, slightly papery.

Mouthfeel:
A little light for a "big brew" but enjoyable none the less.

Drinkability:
Yes. But I would gladly sacrifice a bit of this drinkability for a bit more complexity and intrigue.
Feb 14, 2011
Photo of jdense
Reviewed by jdense from Oregon

3.63/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
22 oz. bottle from local grocery store shared at neighborhood beer buddy's house, 2.3.11.

Tan head one finger fairly quick dissipation some lacing over dark brown clear body, small trails of rising carbonation around edge of glass. Very malt dominated nose, caramel, some brown sugar, a faint bit of milk chocolate, not much hop aroma, perhaps a wee bit of floral notes. Taste mirrors nose, very malty, little bitterness on back end. Mouthfeel is medium good effervescence. Drinkability is pretty good, alcohol well hidden. While this isn't the most memorable Winter Warmer I've had, it's a nicely crafted, traditional malt forward interpretation that I wouldn't be afraid to try again.
Feb 06, 2011
Photo of GreenCard
Reviewed by GreenCard from Maryland

3.58/5  rDev +2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Appearance: ruddy brown, slightly hazy, huge layer of tan fine-beaded foam, good head retention

Aroma: cocoa powder, almond extract, bourbon, malt

Flavor: malty sweetness upfront with notes of malt whiskey, vanilla, and a hint of coffee and roast beef in the finish

Mouthfeel: medium body, gentle carbonation, warming in the throat
Jan 29, 2011
Photo of Kakaraht
Reviewed by Kakaraht from Canada (BC)

3.65/5  rDev +4%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
A: Dark brown color with Two fingers of white head and good retention.

S: Pale oak and sweet caramel malt, sweet apricot and raisin notes.

T: Kinda taste like a copper/red ale more hop notes than I would have expected there is no oak in the flavor but the malts are sweet and smooth.

M: Medium body with nice carbonation and a good smoothness to it.

D: Not up to its name but still a reasonably good drink.
Jan 27, 2011
Photo of stoutfiend27
Reviewed by stoutfiend27 from North Carolina

3.48/5  rDev -0.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
another bomber sent to me in the latest with james

a-deep dark brownish mahogany color..two finger off white head...lots of bubbles

s-muted malts...light dry wood...some raisins...and sweetness

t-much of the same..slightly sweet malts up front..some granny smith apples follow??..some very slight hop bitterness...dry tannins from the wood.

m-light and very very dry and woody feeling...carbonation holds its own...

d-will have no problem getting through the bomber....not sure if time would lend a helping hand with the barrel aging or not...

ive enjoyed all the bridgeport offerings ive had so far...this is no different just not 100% sure what they were trying to achieve with this one..
Jan 19, 2011
Photo of cdkrenz
Reviewed by cdkrenz from Wisconsin

3.93/5  rDev +12%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4
A - Beautiful pour into a 16 ounce pint. Crimson and translucent body topped by more than two inches of pale tan head. Head is very sticky as it slowly tapers back leaving a merange-like surface.

S - Vanilla, citrusy hops, slightly yeasty, a bit of alcohol, and a base of oak.

T - Mild bitterness in the hops. Subtle sour taste in the finish. There's a bit of oak and pungent plum flavors evident here as well. There too is a yeast flavor in the middle imediately followed by the taste of alcohol which goes as just as quickly as it had revealed itself.

M - Watery feel with a slight coarse accent in the finish.

~ This is a good beer. It goes down well. I have to say t his one may be a bit better if I had let it age for a bit. If the yeast aromas and flavors had a chance to fade I think the brew could be an A.
Jan 15, 2011
Photo of 100floods
Reviewed by 100floods from California

3.39/5  rDev -3.4%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5
pours a dark wood brown with a tan head. Gentle, but very present notes of pine, juniper, caramel malt. A few different things going on, but nothing too hard to find. Burnt, slightly sweet malt. There's a strong, earth flavored hop finish, a little too earthy. It almost feels like tree bark Nice, light-medium body, with a good dose of carbonation. Notes of cola/caramel flavored malt. The sheer earthiness of the hops and the burnt malt flavors are what made this beer not so good. I kept on thinking that this beer was spiced. The bottle I have says that it's 33% aged in oak bourbon barrels, and I taste 0% of the bourbon. Perhaps some of the wood from the barrels got into the beer. In that case some of the flavors would make more sense, but it doesn't.
Jan 08, 2011
Nightcap Winter Ale from BridgePort Brewing Co. / Brewpub
Beer rating: 81 out of 100 with 33 ratings