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The First Snow Ale
RJ Rockers Brewing Company
Beer Geek Stats
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- From:
- RJ Rockers Brewing Company
- South Carolina, United States
- Style:
- Winter Warmer
- ABV:
- 6%
- Score:
- 82
- Avg:
- 3.61 | pDev: 13.57%
- Reviews:
- 79
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Jan 08, 2019
- Added:
- Oct 12, 2005
- Wants:
- 7
- Gots:
- 23
SCORE
82
Good
82
Good
Notes:
This hearty American pale ale contains a rich blend of spices that warms the soul on a cold winter's night. Chill the mug, stoke the fire, and savor this quality seasonal brew. Available only during the Winter season.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Reviewed by Dragginballs76 from South Carolina
3.42/5 rDev -5.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
3.42/5 rDev -5.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Pours - light copper color no lacing slight off white head.
Smell - Little bit of cinnamon and nutmeg also some caramel and allspice.
Taste - kind of watered down nutmeg and Cinnamon mostly.
Feel - light bodied well carbonated.
Overall - Not a great beer would not have it again.
Mar 05, 2016Smell - Little bit of cinnamon and nutmeg also some caramel and allspice.
Taste - kind of watered down nutmeg and Cinnamon mostly.
Feel - light bodied well carbonated.
Overall - Not a great beer would not have it again.
Reviewed by buschbeer from Ohio
3.74/5 rDev +3.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.74/5 rDev +3.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
12 FL OZ bottle
Served in a becker glass
This beer pours amber with golden highlights. Suspended yeast is clearly visible. It is topped with two inches of beige head that leaves a little lacing.
It has a fruity aroma. I get some cinnamon and nutmeg.
The taste is a nice combination of malt and spices.
Medium mouthfeel
I wasn't expecting much, but this was a pretty tasty winter warmer.
Feb 02, 2016Served in a becker glass
This beer pours amber with golden highlights. Suspended yeast is clearly visible. It is topped with two inches of beige head that leaves a little lacing.
It has a fruity aroma. I get some cinnamon and nutmeg.
The taste is a nice combination of malt and spices.
Medium mouthfeel
I wasn't expecting much, but this was a pretty tasty winter warmer.
Reviewed by hopflyer from Pennsylvania
4.15/5 rDev +15%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
4.15/5 rDev +15%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Bottled on date section of label is blank.
Pours a bit murky orange, very little head. Minimal lacing.
Nutmeg and cinnamon upon initial smell. Custard, vanilla?
Taste is fairly prominent spiciness with the nutmeg, cinnamon, and ginger. The light honey flavor sweetness also there along with brown sugar and a bit of caramel. I can also pick up some vanilla and rice pudding like flavors. Maybe its the nutmeg tricking me since any rice pudding I've ever had was made with nutmeg. As it warms, cinnamon becomes even more prominent.
Medium body and medium carbonation.
Wasn't sure I would like a spiced beer and can't remember any I've had before. This actually surprised me in that I enjoyed it. Can't imaging drinking this anytime other than the winter months though.
Jan 06, 2016Pours a bit murky orange, very little head. Minimal lacing.
Nutmeg and cinnamon upon initial smell. Custard, vanilla?
Taste is fairly prominent spiciness with the nutmeg, cinnamon, and ginger. The light honey flavor sweetness also there along with brown sugar and a bit of caramel. I can also pick up some vanilla and rice pudding like flavors. Maybe its the nutmeg tricking me since any rice pudding I've ever had was made with nutmeg. As it warms, cinnamon becomes even more prominent.
Medium body and medium carbonation.
Wasn't sure I would like a spiced beer and can't remember any I've had before. This actually surprised me in that I enjoyed it. Can't imaging drinking this anytime other than the winter months though.
Reviewed by stevoj from Idaho
3.16/5 rDev -12.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3
3.16/5 rDev -12.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3
Super fluffy, rocky head, on hazy orange/gold body. Mild sweet, spicy aroma, gingerbread, fruitcake, etc. Taste is more of the same with a lean towards the sweet side. Slippery mouthfeel. Getting too close to spring to enjoy this style.
Dec 15, 2015
Reviewed by gmoneyproductions from Colorado
3.04/5 rDev -15.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3
3.04/5 rDev -15.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3
12 oz bottle poured into a 5 oz sample glass
came in a craft beer of the month type gift
bottle date appears to be 10.8.15 but was hard to read
pours golden orange with a small white head that faded quickly
smell is hoppy spicy sweet and cinnamon
taste much the same as the nose honey orange spice and sweet
feel effervescent and somewhat crisp
overall too sweet for me i drained poured a bit
i liked the nose but not the taste
Dec 15, 2015came in a craft beer of the month type gift
bottle date appears to be 10.8.15 but was hard to read
pours golden orange with a small white head that faded quickly
smell is hoppy spicy sweet and cinnamon
taste much the same as the nose honey orange spice and sweet
feel effervescent and somewhat crisp
overall too sweet for me i drained poured a bit
i liked the nose but not the taste
Reviewed by Jadjunk from Georgia
3.59/5 rDev -0.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
3.59/5 rDev -0.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
"This hearty American Pale Ale contains a rich blend of spices that warms the soul on a cold winter's night, Chill the mug, stoke the fire, and savor this quality seasonal brew." Brewed in the style of a Winter Warmer. Available as a fall/winter seasonal in 12 oz. 6 packs and on draft.
Poured from a 12 oz. bottle to a snifter glass. Served above 56 degrees Fahrenheit.
(Appearance) Gusher alert! Pours an explosive fizzy foam head of an eggnog white complexion over a copper amber body with ample, lively carbonation and high clarity. Retention is very good and lacing is light and spotty. 3.5
(Smell) Malt notes of pale and soft biscuit caramel with a modest sweetness and light body, amplified with spiced notes of clove, ginger and allspice, delicate cinnamon, perfumey hints of cardamom. Yeast notes generate a delicate roasted fruitiness with hints of cider fruits, cherry and cranberry essence. It's a peculiar amalgam of aromas but it manages to work fairly well. Potency is moderate-high. 3.75
(Taste) Pale malts with a light biscuit body and moderate sweetness meets fruity notes of cherry and cranberry, almost a roasted pumpkin squash adding thickness and depth to the body. Drinks clean and moderately-bodied, light to no hop profile and bitterness, with the majority of bittering agents in the dryness of potent spices including nutmeg, clove and dry cinnamon. 3.5
(Mouthfeel) The texture is silky, lightly chewy and moderately dry. Carbonation is medium, generating a moderate frothiness and a medium crisp finish. Body is medium for the style, medium+ overall. Balance is slightly fruity tart and spicy bitter over sweet. Alcohol presence is low and there are no off characters. 3.75
(Overall) I can best characterize First Snow as the transitional step from Pumpkin ales to delicate early winter warmers. I get a peculiar flavor of fermented pumpkin alongside cherry and cranberry that doesn't get mentioned on the label, but an ample and effective, yet appropriate spicing places this beer comfortably in the late fall to early winter seasonal slot, even though Georgia's first snows don't commonly happen until mid-February. I enjoyed this beer and didn't find that the spices overpowered the malt profile but complimented them appropriately. A tasty winter beer and worth a try at the right price. 3.5
RJ Rockers Brewing Company's
The First Snow Ale
3.59/5.00
Apr 01, 2015Poured from a 12 oz. bottle to a snifter glass. Served above 56 degrees Fahrenheit.
(Appearance) Gusher alert! Pours an explosive fizzy foam head of an eggnog white complexion over a copper amber body with ample, lively carbonation and high clarity. Retention is very good and lacing is light and spotty. 3.5
(Smell) Malt notes of pale and soft biscuit caramel with a modest sweetness and light body, amplified with spiced notes of clove, ginger and allspice, delicate cinnamon, perfumey hints of cardamom. Yeast notes generate a delicate roasted fruitiness with hints of cider fruits, cherry and cranberry essence. It's a peculiar amalgam of aromas but it manages to work fairly well. Potency is moderate-high. 3.75
(Taste) Pale malts with a light biscuit body and moderate sweetness meets fruity notes of cherry and cranberry, almost a roasted pumpkin squash adding thickness and depth to the body. Drinks clean and moderately-bodied, light to no hop profile and bitterness, with the majority of bittering agents in the dryness of potent spices including nutmeg, clove and dry cinnamon. 3.5
(Mouthfeel) The texture is silky, lightly chewy and moderately dry. Carbonation is medium, generating a moderate frothiness and a medium crisp finish. Body is medium for the style, medium+ overall. Balance is slightly fruity tart and spicy bitter over sweet. Alcohol presence is low and there are no off characters. 3.75
(Overall) I can best characterize First Snow as the transitional step from Pumpkin ales to delicate early winter warmers. I get a peculiar flavor of fermented pumpkin alongside cherry and cranberry that doesn't get mentioned on the label, but an ample and effective, yet appropriate spicing places this beer comfortably in the late fall to early winter seasonal slot, even though Georgia's first snows don't commonly happen until mid-February. I enjoyed this beer and didn't find that the spices overpowered the malt profile but complimented them appropriately. A tasty winter beer and worth a try at the right price. 3.5
RJ Rockers Brewing Company's
The First Snow Ale
3.59/5.00
Rated by Runrjw from West Virginia
4.42/5 rDev +22.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
4.42/5 rDev +22.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Good beer for winter . Has cinnamon flavor
Mar 29, 2015
Reviewed by Treyliff from West Virginia
3.5/5 rDev -3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
3.5/5 rDev -3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
12oz bottle poured into a pint glass, bottled 10/13/14
A- pours a deep golden color with a ruby hue, small fizzy white head quickly reduces to a film floating on top
S- lots of holiday spicing on the aroma with an emphasis on cinnamon & allspice, there’s some fruit aroma reminiscent of fruitcake, slightly sweet from the honey
T- initial honey sweetness up front eventually gives way to spicy flavors of cinnamon & clove, dryi-ish finish with lingers of spices
M- medium body and carbonation leads to a foamy mouthfeel and finish
O- a nice winter warmer that has a good blend of spicing
Mar 27, 2015A- pours a deep golden color with a ruby hue, small fizzy white head quickly reduces to a film floating on top
S- lots of holiday spicing on the aroma with an emphasis on cinnamon & allspice, there’s some fruit aroma reminiscent of fruitcake, slightly sweet from the honey
T- initial honey sweetness up front eventually gives way to spicy flavors of cinnamon & clove, dryi-ish finish with lingers of spices
M- medium body and carbonation leads to a foamy mouthfeel and finish
O- a nice winter warmer that has a good blend of spicing
Rated by TonyLema1 from South Carolina
3.49/5 rDev -3.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
3.49/5 rDev -3.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
Lite bodied, but a nice spice combo
Feb 14, 2015
Reviewed by ygtbsm94 from Utah
2.77/5 rDev -23.3%
look: 3 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 2.75
2.77/5 rDev -23.3%
look: 3 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 2.75
Aroma of malt, spice, citrus, faint hops. Taste spicey cinnamon, nutmeg, bready malt. Harsh bitter hop and spice in the flavor. Couple dots and bits of lace. Medium body. Soft, kind of smooth carbonation of moderate strength. Ok!
Jan 06, 2015Rated by maxwellyourtheman from South Carolina
1.59/5 rDev -56%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 1 | feel: 2 | overall: 1.5
1.59/5 rDev -56%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 1 | feel: 2 | overall: 1.5
Tastes like bad cough medicine.
Jan 01, 2015
Reviewed by scootny from New York
3.64/5 rDev +0.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
3.64/5 rDev +0.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
A holiday nose that features health spicing makes me draw back and admire the amber color and lovely head on this one. Nose showcases the spices while allowing a solid malt bill to underpin and hold court. Taste is an enjoyable pale ale holiday. Feel and flavor give a winter weightiness. Nice. An above averages take on the style that lends itself to session style rounds of drinking.
Dec 30, 2014
Reviewed by rangerred from Tennessee
3.02/5 rDev -16.3%
look: 3 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 3
3.02/5 rDev -16.3%
look: 3 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 3
12oz bottle into a pint glass.
Pours a hazy medium orange with a small half finger white head. Poor lacing and not really any head retention.
Aroma is heavily spiced with cinnamon, nutmeg, and apples. Almost cider-like.
The flavor is quite heavy with the spice as well, a bit too much i'm afraid, but it isn't completely awful. Loads of cinnamon and allspice with more of that spiced cider quality. Somewhat of a chalky mouthfeel with a mild bitterness to wrap things up.
Overall, a pretty standard winter warmer that could use a bit of cleaning up. It is totally drinkable, though, even if it is a bit rough around the edges.
Dec 17, 2014Pours a hazy medium orange with a small half finger white head. Poor lacing and not really any head retention.
Aroma is heavily spiced with cinnamon, nutmeg, and apples. Almost cider-like.
The flavor is quite heavy with the spice as well, a bit too much i'm afraid, but it isn't completely awful. Loads of cinnamon and allspice with more of that spiced cider quality. Somewhat of a chalky mouthfeel with a mild bitterness to wrap things up.
Overall, a pretty standard winter warmer that could use a bit of cleaning up. It is totally drinkable, though, even if it is a bit rough around the edges.
The First Snow Ale from RJ Rockers Brewing Company
Beer rating:
82 out of
100 with
200 ratings
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