Ommegang Oatmeal Stout Winter Ale

Home to more than just the Baseball Hall of Fame, Cooperstown, NY, is also home to a farmstead brewery that has occupied 136 acres since 1997. Ommegang is known for its big Belgian beers and has earned quite a reputation over the years. Annual outturn currently runs at 35,000 barrels.

Behind door #9: Ommegang Oatmeal Stout Winter Ale, 5.3% alc., 12 oz. bottle

C: Black with a caramel colored foamy head

N: Belgian yeast twang (that beery fruitiness with sweet spice behind) with roasted coffee and dark chocolate notes around the edges 

P: The Belgian yeast twang from the nose is unmistakable across the palate, some dark malt notes behind

F: Short to moderate with lingering fruitiness and some sweetness

In conclusion: Much more of a winter ale than an oatmeal stout. I think this would be disappointing coming from another distillery but Ommegang is well known for its house style and a Belgian twist isn't that much of a surprise. Still needs more Oatmeal Stout notes, though.

Samuel Smith's Winter Welcome Ale

Yorkshire, England's oldest brewery, Samuel Smith's, was founded in 1758 and the original well is still in use today. They use very interesting fermentation vessels called 'stone Yorkshire-squares' that are 100% solid slabs of slate and they boast of using the same yeast strain from the nineteenth century. Quite a storied operation, to say the least. Let's see how they've done with this special seasonal.

Behind door #7: Samuel Smith's Winter Welcome Ale, 6% alc., 12 oz. bottle

C: Bright copper with a foamy white head

N:  Instantly reminiscent of Newcastle Brown Ale but not as cloyingly sweet -- Malty/Beery opening with clover honey and red berries

P: Sweet with rich malt textures and just hints of spice around the edges

F: Good length with lasting malty sweetness and a general warmth

In conclusion: A really cracking winter ale. Neither too spicy nor sweet nor alcoholic. An easy drinking holiday release that really would be tasty next to a roaring fire (sadly absent given our 75F Xmas eve).