Brrr | Widmer Brothers Brewing Company
Brewed by:
Widmer Brothers Brewing Company
Oregon, United States
widmer.com
Style: Winter Warmer
Alcohol by volume (ABV): 7.20%
Availability: Winter
Notes / Commercial Description:
availability: Late Oct. - Early Jan.
bitterness: 50 IBU
alcohol by volume: 7.2%
original gravity: 17° PLATO
malts:
Pale, Caramel 10L & 80L,
Munich 10L, Carapils, Dark Chocolate
hops:
Bittering: Alchemy
Aroma: Simcoe & Cascade
Added by IronDjinn on 10-19-2008
Ratings: 966 | Reviews: 322
Reviews by mdavidson:
3.25/5 rDev -14.9%
mdavidson, Oct 29, 2013
More User Reviews:
4/5 rDev +4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Review from BeerAdvocate magazine Vol. II Issue XI:
Great formation of head with great retention to support it, brownish amber color that is bright and clear. Big and flamboyant hop nose of pine resin, grapefruit zest, hemp seeds and a hint of dark tobacco. All of that barely lets the malt transmit anything to the aroma. Creamy, smooth, medium body. Whoa, momma, yes indeed there are some hops here, and what we mean by "some," is a lot. Sporting an Ameri-hop character throughout it starts with a big splash of bitterness and then moves more into flavoring with suggestions of evergreen, grapefruit rind, hemp oil and fresh cut grass. The malt backbone is pretty damn sturdy and while it may be shadowed by the hops, it mostly lays a blankets of caramel and toasted grain on the palate. A tad fruity with a clean, warming alcohol middle to end; quick flash of raisins and plums. Finishes a little bitter and leans toward dry.
A lovely holiday beer, very well balanced and straight, aimed at the style. The Christmas Goose may have met its match.
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Review from BeerAdvocate magazine Vol. II Issue XI:
Great formation of head with great retention to support it, brownish amber color that is bright and clear. Big and flamboyant hop nose of pine resin, grapefruit zest, hemp seeds and a hint of dark tobacco. All of that barely lets the malt transmit anything to the aroma. Creamy, smooth, medium body. Whoa, momma, yes indeed there are some hops here, and what we mean by "some," is a lot. Sporting an Ameri-hop character throughout it starts with a big splash of bitterness and then moves more into flavoring with suggestions of evergreen, grapefruit rind, hemp oil and fresh cut grass. The malt backbone is pretty damn sturdy and while it may be shadowed by the hops, it mostly lays a blankets of caramel and toasted grain on the palate. A tad fruity with a clean, warming alcohol middle to end; quick flash of raisins and plums. Finishes a little bitter and leans toward dry.
A lovely holiday beer, very well balanced and straight, aimed at the style. The Christmas Goose may have met its match.
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3.31/5 rDev -13.4%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
A-Brilliant Red Ale color
S-Strong essence of pine & straw. Modest notes of grapefruit.
T-This beer tastes like...standing on the deck of a mountain house in New Hampshire during Christmas Week Wearing a winter hat, heavy peat coat and flannel lined cargos (red & black flannel lining) there's 3 feet of snow on ground and the pine trees are cloaked in snow.
M-Moderate
O-Not like other Winter Ales that pack a strong all spice/ginger. A decent beer. Something different at the holidays
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look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
A-Brilliant Red Ale color
S-Strong essence of pine & straw. Modest notes of grapefruit.
T-This beer tastes like...standing on the deck of a mountain house in New Hampshire during Christmas Week Wearing a winter hat, heavy peat coat and flannel lined cargos (red & black flannel lining) there's 3 feet of snow on ground and the pine trees are cloaked in snow.
M-Moderate
O-Not like other Winter Ales that pack a strong all spice/ginger. A decent beer. Something different at the holidays
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3.73/5 rDev -2.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Appearance: amber/copper, clear body; small off-white, frothy head, long lasting, decent lacing.
Smell: citrusy hops dominate, but you can pick up on the sweet caramel malts
Taste: sweet malts with a well balanced citrusy hop bit; finishes with a resiny aftertaste. I expected spices in it from the label; glad it didn't have it. This was a decent beer.
Mouthfeel: creamy, but a bit thinner than I was expecting for the ABV.
Remarks: Had this beer a while; finally got around to drinking it. 1 year old bottle. Aged well.
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look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Appearance: amber/copper, clear body; small off-white, frothy head, long lasting, decent lacing.
Smell: citrusy hops dominate, but you can pick up on the sweet caramel malts
Taste: sweet malts with a well balanced citrusy hop bit; finishes with a resiny aftertaste. I expected spices in it from the label; glad it didn't have it. This was a decent beer.
Mouthfeel: creamy, but a bit thinner than I was expecting for the ABV.
Remarks: Had this beer a while; finally got around to drinking it. 1 year old bottle. Aged well.
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4.68/5 rDev +22.5%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
Widmer Brothers Brrr Seasonal Ale is a very clear, sparkling copper ale topped with a dense, light beige foam that has outstanding retention and lacing. It has a rich pine aroma with sweet caramel in the nose. It's pretty full bodied, very smooth and foamy. The finish is clean and nimble. It tastes pretty bitter and a little sweet. The balance is really nice. Pine resin is the loudest flavor. The bitterness turns to something more like juniper by the time the caramel sweetness emerges just after the swallow. This one kind of took me by surprise. It's a pretty serious beer and it's really easy to drink.
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look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
Widmer Brothers Brrr Seasonal Ale is a very clear, sparkling copper ale topped with a dense, light beige foam that has outstanding retention and lacing. It has a rich pine aroma with sweet caramel in the nose. It's pretty full bodied, very smooth and foamy. The finish is clean and nimble. It tastes pretty bitter and a little sweet. The balance is really nice. Pine resin is the loudest flavor. The bitterness turns to something more like juniper by the time the caramel sweetness emerges just after the swallow. This one kind of took me by surprise. It's a pretty serious beer and it's really easy to drink.
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3.73/5 rDev -2.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
12oz bottle, dated 9/3/15. Pours clear light amber with a medium off-white head; lots of small carbonation bubbles. Smells of mostly pine/citrus hops and sweet malt with some subtle spices sand honey. The taste follows with lots of hops, some malt, and little spice. Some mild bitterness in the finish. Somewhat thin body and above average carbonation. It's a good beer, but not very true to the style. It could use less hops, more malt, and some more body.
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look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
12oz bottle, dated 9/3/15. Pours clear light amber with a medium off-white head; lots of small carbonation bubbles. Smells of mostly pine/citrus hops and sweet malt with some subtle spices sand honey. The taste follows with lots of hops, some malt, and little spice. Some mild bitterness in the finish. Somewhat thin body and above average carbonation. It's a good beer, but not very true to the style. It could use less hops, more malt, and some more body.
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4/5 rDev +4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
The beer pours a reddish-amber color with a white head. The aroma is caramel and biscuit malt with a little bit of piney hops mixed in. A very nice aroma overall. The flavor is heavier on the hops than I expected. I get a lot of pine as well as some caramel malt. Low bitterness and very drinkable. Medium mouthfeel and medium carbonation. A nice take on a winter warmer.
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
The beer pours a reddish-amber color with a white head. The aroma is caramel and biscuit malt with a little bit of piney hops mixed in. A very nice aroma overall. The flavor is heavier on the hops than I expected. I get a lot of pine as well as some caramel malt. Low bitterness and very drinkable. Medium mouthfeel and medium carbonation. A nice take on a winter warmer.
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2.59/5 rDev -32.2%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2
I do not know the lingo for these beers. But I do know that I generally enjoy anything Widmer Borthers release. The seasonal is hit or miss, and this is for a reason (that is, if they were as good as Drifter, then they would be offered year-round). "Brrr" had me excited; I was in the Christmas mood and their advertisements claimed that the beer had a "candy" taste. Now I do not believe advertising 97.3% of the time, but I did this time, due to company reputation.
Big mistake. This beer is repulsive to the taste. It looks good, smells good, and is strong at over 7% alcohol, but my god, it tastes horrible. I've never had it with a meal, a lemon or lime, but it disappoints every time and I will never try it again....unless I'm already drunk.
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look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2
I do not know the lingo for these beers. But I do know that I generally enjoy anything Widmer Borthers release. The seasonal is hit or miss, and this is for a reason (that is, if they were as good as Drifter, then they would be offered year-round). "Brrr" had me excited; I was in the Christmas mood and their advertisements claimed that the beer had a "candy" taste. Now I do not believe advertising 97.3% of the time, but I did this time, due to company reputation.
Big mistake. This beer is repulsive to the taste. It looks good, smells good, and is strong at over 7% alcohol, but my god, it tastes horrible. I've never had it with a meal, a lemon or lime, but it disappoints every time and I will never try it again....unless I'm already drunk.
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3.57/5 rDev -6.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
Poured cold from the bottle.
This beer poured a rich, amber colour with a foamy egg-shell head. The smell is of hops and citrus. The taste was sweet and malty right away, then turns to a clean-hop flavour, and follows with a very bitter aftertaste. Much like an IPA, but the bitterness is a bit much for me.
Would I buy it again? No. It wasn't that bad, but I probably will not buy it again.
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look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
Poured cold from the bottle.
This beer poured a rich, amber colour with a foamy egg-shell head. The smell is of hops and citrus. The taste was sweet and malty right away, then turns to a clean-hop flavour, and follows with a very bitter aftertaste. Much like an IPA, but the bitterness is a bit much for me.
Would I buy it again? No. It wasn't that bad, but I probably will not buy it again.
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3.54/5 rDev -7.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
4.49/5 rDev +17.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
These are a little hazy when served very cold but they brighten right up when they warm up. I let my current bottle sit out for 20 minutes or so and it pours brilliant ruby tinted dark amber under a 1” off-white foam cap with a slight tan tint. It leaves thick lace on the glass. The malt aromas recall fruit cake with caramel, light chocolate with a touch of sweetness leading to a bitter emphasis on the finish with some mild alcohol warming. Its creamy, medium full body and medium carbonation.
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look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
These are a little hazy when served very cold but they brighten right up when they warm up. I let my current bottle sit out for 20 minutes or so and it pours brilliant ruby tinted dark amber under a 1” off-white foam cap with a slight tan tint. It leaves thick lace on the glass. The malt aromas recall fruit cake with caramel, light chocolate with a touch of sweetness leading to a bitter emphasis on the finish with some mild alcohol warming. Its creamy, medium full body and medium carbonation.
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3.37/5 rDev -11.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Pours a dark amber with little foam that quickly disappears.
Malty aroma with slight hints of sweetness and dried fruit, figs and apple with quite a bit of hops shining through. I actually like the heavy hops since it gives the beer some structure to deal with the high alcohol level.
Flavors are not too complex, decent malts, not as sweet as I imagined and there is a pretty high level of bittering as the nose suggests. A tiny bit of astringent harshness in the back of the throat and not very complex.
The finish is not very exciting but not bad, the drinkability (sum of the parts) is a little higher than the various components would suggest on their own. It is keeping me warm during the cold so at least it has that thing going for it.
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look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Pours a dark amber with little foam that quickly disappears.
Malty aroma with slight hints of sweetness and dried fruit, figs and apple with quite a bit of hops shining through. I actually like the heavy hops since it gives the beer some structure to deal with the high alcohol level.
Flavors are not too complex, decent malts, not as sweet as I imagined and there is a pretty high level of bittering as the nose suggests. A tiny bit of astringent harshness in the back of the throat and not very complex.
The finish is not very exciting but not bad, the drinkability (sum of the parts) is a little higher than the various components would suggest on their own. It is keeping me warm during the cold so at least it has that thing going for it.
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Brrr from Widmer Brothers Brewing Company
3.82
out of 5
based on 966 ratings.