Winter Ale
Wooden Cask Brewing Company

 

 

Can
L-clear and golden, not much head
S-festive, with candied ginger and, yes, molasses
T-malt and ale form the base of the flavor but over that but there’s a dominating and ultimately one-note sweetness without any counterbalancing bitterness or even a second sweet flavor. The cinnamon is missing for me
F-smooth, medium, with a little stickiness
O- this beer has a pleasant nose and isn’t totally unsuccessful, but the flavor is sweeter and simpler than my preferences

 

 

12oz bottle, no date, but I'm assuming it's from this year's bottling. Served in a nonic glass.

Appearance: Clear/bright copper-amber. Thin off-white head with some strands and islands of persistent lacing.

Smell: A light aroma of cinnamon and some underlying sweetness.

Taste: Sweet malt having a cookie like taste, with some muted molasses and then a finish of cinnamon. The cinnamon lingers a bit with some spiciness well after the sip is complete.

Mouthfeel: Good carbonation, just right thickness, and a bit of stickiness as well. A bit of a dry finish.

Overall / Drinkability: I want to pair this with a snickerdoodle cookie, as this beer reminds me a bit of one, but just different enough. It's definitely on the sweet side, but not cloying. This is categorized as an American Strong Ale, but it's really a winter warmer, and I'm rating it as such. Certainly tasty, but nothing really amazing. Above average by itself, but I think with the right food could be really interesting.

Bottle from brewery.
Pours a deep amber color with a finger thick head that fades quickly.
Cinnamon dominates the smell. Taste is quite similar but the cinnamon is not over the top like the smell suggests.
Light/medium body, nicely drinkable.