Triple Berry Pie Winter Ale
Laurelwood Brewing Co.

Growler poured hours after fill:
This is a hybrid style, but I felt the base beer had enough influence to go with winter warmer, though the berries are well represented.

Pours a deep brown burgundy that seems clearer flowing out of the growler than in the glass. The deep chestnut result is hard to see through, either way. An aggressive pour brings a fair head, ending in a medium dirty white ring.

Nose has a decent toasted bread aspect, more early that later in the pour. The berry grows and grows, as the jam gets lathered on more and more. There are so many berry varieties, I’m not picking out many specifics, but I’d go with blackberry and a more tart, jammy variety (not raspberry or blueberry). The only thing preventing a mixed berry pie experience is the fact the earthy, toasty base beer doesn’t bring much sweetness.

The earthy toasted note is a bit more forward in the taste, but nothing is a surprise after analyzing the nose. With just a little more strengt, depth and bite and a little less definitive berry tang/tartness, this could resemble an old ale, it seems.

Ok, so the berry is sort of replacing the spice of the warmer style, but I feel it does so fairly well. A dry, dark malted fruit beer or a berry-tangy winter ale? You decide.