I'm a big fan of limited edition/reserve beers. These are usually beers that the brewer will put forth their best efforts and brew a beer that's a standalone from what their normal beers usually are. Many of them are only ever brewed once, so I seek them out and pounce on them whenever I get the chance. Sometimes I end up regretting it though. Here's an example of that.
Widmer Brothers' brewery in Portland, Oregon is known primarily for their so-so "Hefeweizen" which really isn't the best beer out there. Truth be told, I've never had anything by them I was absolutely blown away by, but given my interest in limited edition beers, I pulled the trigger on this one. This beer is a Winter Warmer (a high-malt, high alcohol style), aged in bourbon barrels, much like many American Imperial Stouts are (and I'm a big fan of bourbon barrel stouts in general). This beer weighs in at 9.4% ABV and 40 IBUs, and came with a hefty price tag of $13 from my favorite online beer store.
I was torn on whether or not to lay down that kind of money for a beer from a brewer I've had poor experiences from the past. In the end, I decided to, though I was left wondering if I just made a huge mistake. Well, this was an expensive one: a $13 mistake no less. It's not bad, but it didn't live up to my expectations. Here is my analysis:
Pour: Clear red-amber in color. Small ring of tan head with minimal lacing left on the glass and OK retention. 3.5/5
Smell: Rather subtle aroma with a definite bourbon note up front. Underlying tones of vanilla and some other sweetness which I can't make out. Will move on to the taste to figure it out. 3/5
Taste: Once again, bourbon notes are more or less the forefront in this brew. Small hint of vanilla on the palate, and a slight spice note. The finish is very warm and very alcoholic. A bit bland overall, however. 3.5/5
Mouthfeel: Light to medium body, medium carbonation. Kind of thin given the ABV. A bit of smoothness despite the alcoholic back end. 3.5/5
Drinkability/Overall: It's an alright beer. The taste is pretty good, and it's definitely warming. It's palatable, but it doesn't blow me away by any stretch of the imagination. 3.5/5
Final Notes: Just doesn't live up to the intense brew that a good winter warmer should. It has the ABV but not the bold, assertive flavors to back it up. Quite enjoyable otherwise. Not worth the hefty price tag, but you might want to check it out if you're a fan of bourbon. Overall of 3.4/5 for a final grade of B-.
Recommend
Post a Comment