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).

Maui Brewing Co. Doppel Shot Double Bock

The joy of jumping into a selection pack like this "Twelve Beers of Christmas" from Midtowne Market (VA) is that beers will appear from brewers who aren't on your radar. I've never heard of Maui Brewing Co although I am familiar with Hawaii's larger Kona Brewing (at last count there are fourteen breweries in Hawaii and I'm familiar with one -- that's very sad and needs to change!).

Founded in 2005, Maui Brewing Co recently completed a $15 million expansion project that saw them open a 28,000 square foot brewhouse and 8,000 square foot brewpub/tasting room. The new facility gives them a 45,000 barrel annual operation with even more room for expansion. So we're not exactly dealing with someone brewing out of their garage here!

Behind door #6: Maui Brewing Co. Doppel Shot Double Bock Limited Release, 8.2% alc., 12oz. can

C: Cloudy amber with a big creamy, foamy head

N: The coffee is unmissable but there's little else with it

P: More coffee, distinct floral hop note, malted barley in the background

F: Lingering floral malty note with the coffee element never far away

In conclusion: I"m afraid it's all coffee, all the time without enough beer notes for me to really get into it. I would never give up on them after one beer and will search out their Coconut Porter and Big Swell IPA.

Great Lakes Brewing Co Ohio City Oatmeal Stout

Founded in 1988, Great Lakes Brewing Company produces a vast range of brews. When in the northern states I enjoy drinking their Edmund Fitzgerald porter on draft. I haven't had the opportunity to taste anything else from their range so I'm excited for today's offering from Midtowne Bottle Shop's "Twelve Beers of Christmas" dark beer box. 

Behind door #5: Great Lakes Brewing Co Ohio City Oatmeal Stout, 5.4% alc., 12oz. bottle

C: Black with wisps of a white head

N: Leads with coffee notes, a little bready

P: Thin across the palate with some roast malt and hints of oatmeal 

F: Short with hints of coffee and dark chocolate

In conclusion: Light in both texture and flavor. A very underwhelming oatmeal stout. I'll stick with their Edmund Fitzgerald porter.

Stone Coffee Milk Stout

This is the second Stone in the first four windows (an observation, not a complaint) of my "Twelve Beers of Christmas" selection from Midtowne Bottle Shop (Harrisonburg, VA). However, I can guarantee you this Coffee Milk Stout is no Xocovena!

Behind door #4: Stone Coffee Milk Stout, 5% alc., 12 oz. bottle

C: Black with a caramel head

N: Sweet malt, milk chocolate, and distant farmyard notes

P: Soft entry with a massive and unmistakable farmyard note (reminiscent of a smoked porter) then sweet lactose notes with roasted coffee elements and a bitter chocolate that transitions into the finish

F: Roasty with bitter chocolate, dark malt, and lingering farmhouse notes

In conclusion: The farmyard assault on the palate is very surprising and makes me wonder if there's a little peated malt in here. Given that I don't think that makes sense I wonder if the roasted coffee is doing something similar to peated malt. Worth paying attention to in other stouts that include roasted coffee. 

 

Smuttynose Robust Porter

We've reached the 1/4 of the way mark on my "Twelve Beers of Christmas" journey with something dark from Smuttynose. Founded in 1994 after Peter Egelston acquired the assets of the former Frank Jones Brewing Company at a bankruptcy auction, Smuttynose has a solid presence on the east coast and can often be found on draft. Note that distribution doesn't go farther west than Wisconsin, though.

Behind door #3: Smuttynose Robust Porter, 6.2% alc., 12 oz. bottle

C: Black with a caramel colored head

N: Dark roast malt and notable hop oil aromas with a lovely burnt wood note

P: Thinner on entry than expected but with plenty of roasted malt and espresso bean bitterness

F: Pleasantly bitter with lingering roasted malt notes

In conclusion: A perfectly drinkable porter with classic grain notes and some nicely balanced bitterness