It is the end of winter warmer month here on Jolly Good
Fellows. Something new we wanted to do was recap the winter warmers we reviewed,
discussed, and drank over the last 31 days.
The last bottle, read the review below. |
Beer we reviewed on
the blog
Winter warmers we
discussed on the JGF beercast
Great Divide Hibernation Ale (Recommended)
Full Sail Wassail (Recommended)
Widmer Brothers Barrel Aged BrrrBon ‘11 (Recommended)
Winter Warmers we
didn’t write or talk about but enjoyed on Untappd
North Coast Old Stock Ale 2011 – 4 stars
New Holland Cabin Fever Brown Ale – 3 stars
Magic Hat Howl – 3 stars
Schlafly Winter ESB – 3 stars
Smuttynose Winter Ale – 3 stars
New Belgium Snow Day – 4 stars
New Glarus Snowshoe Red Ale – 4 stars
Long Trail Hibernator – 3 stars
Samuel Adams Winter Lager – 2 stars
Top of the charts
Pleasant surprises
Mild disappointments
One final bonus winter warmer review, while I’m writing this
I am drinking my last bottle of New Glarus Snowshoe Ale. I don’t believe New
Glarus brewed any of this during the last year and I am not sure when or if they
will again. (Somebody correct me if I am mistaken.) The Snowshoe Ale is a well
crafted quality beer.
This particular bottle was originally purchased back in May
2011. It poured a clear coppery, amber color, with a small head. On the drink it
has a very malty presence with minimal carbonation. The malt stays with you
into the aftertaste but clears pretty quickly.
While labeled as an Irish amber ale it shares a lot of
similarities to the winter warmers that have been covered over the last month.
The alcohol comes in at 5.7% ABV, not as heavy as you would expect but that is
in no way a detriment. While it has some hop to it, if you come to this beer
expecting a more hopped American red ale you may leave disappointed.
Here is the "party line" on this beer.
Settle in with
Wisconsin’s Snowshoe Ale. This beer is brewed with a blend of American and
German malts. A complicated decoction mash process ensures a rich malty flavor.
We also infuse generous amounts of Yakima Golding and Bavarian Hallertau Hops
to add a special note of warmth for your winter evening’s enjoyment.
Expect this beer to be
a beautiful copper-red, with a fruity ale body and a spiced hop finish. Then
sit back and rejoice in the season because it’s these Wisconsin winters that
keep the whiners out.
So there you go, we end winter warmer month with a bit of
regret, but remember beer is meant to be drank and enjoyed and on that front I
am pretty satisfied.
Let us know what winter warmers were your standouts,
surprises, and mild disappointments down in the comments!