Winterfest
General Lafayette Inn & Brewery

Poured from a growler to a pint glass resulting in no head, yet there is a nice, solid aroma of fruit and clove to the beer. It is a dark ruby color and slightly cloudy.

This is a full bodied beer and has some heft to it, which is consistent with the style. It is well balanced in its taste and is sweetly malty with tones of ripe fruit, clove, and cinnamon. There is a faint astringency which is not surprising, considering its alcohol content, however, it is not overbearing whatsoever and gives the beer some bite which I like.

This is a great winter warmer, and fortunately, I'm having it on a day when we finally got some snow in Philadelphia, though that was about twelve hours ago. Still, a great example of the style and I am not disappointed by General Layfayette's efforts.

A mixed review of the X-treme (Randalized) and regular Winterfests.

This is a brew unto itself, a stylistic breakout, in true Leonard fashion. Brewed with German malts and hops, and British Ale yeast, it sort of straddles the line between ESB and Marzen, with the ESB winning out. Which I guess makes it a Dortmunder/Export Lager. Or whatever. It's good, so it doesn't matter.

The brew pours as a swirling, cloudy brown maelstrom in the glass, like a pond bed moments after you unsettle the silt later on its bottom.

Aroma is fairly muted, light nuts, caramelized plantain, and grassy, spicy Hallertau hops. The hops are, of course, more dominant in the X-treme version.

Taste is remarkably bright, with the German hops opening up the brew. The X-treme version, in particular, is incredibly zesty, highlighting the interplay between the British esters and the good dosage of noble hops (both versions are remarkably hoppy). The Hallertau comes across to me as notions of allspice and persimmons, in particular. There is a little tug of war going on, but it's a positive thing. The dissonance serves to create a new element of flavor while highlighting the individual elements.

Mouthfeel is very nice - the foamy, frothy carbonation is quite active, and serves to continue the theme of the churning, stormy brew.

Drinkability is quite good. I could have had more than one pint of this, but other things on the menu called to me.

All in all, a violent, active brew -- one to be studied at length. I'm glad I took the time to appreciate it.

***Not a Winterbrew ***

*** Two types on tap: One Randalized and one standard *** The Randalized is referred to as the EXTREME Winter. That is what is reviewed here:

Pours a ruddy stormy amber hue with a settled ivory head cap collar. A beguiling appearnce that made me think twice.

Aroma is lightly grainy above a slightly stiffled amalgam of grainy leafy scents.

First swigs: Wow! This reminds me of an Imperial Pilsner but with a blindsided punch in the gut of the Hallertauer Hersbrucker hops that impart a huge tangerine slash orange hop jab that lasts throughout the brew. It's orange and Pez candy.

This is a sipper of imbroglious proportions. Get it while the gettin' is good.

Last swigs: If the General could carry the swagger of Town Hall. thsis would be a top 100 BA beer by the Summer. This shut up a hop lover.

Beer is good. Happy hoppy beering.