Samuel Smith's Winter Welcome Ale
Dec. 27th, 2011 11:20 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
metawidgetMy cousin-in-law Jay gave me some tasty beer for Christmas. I tried it at the end of the drive home yesterday, slightly chilled (20 mins in the freezer from room temperature), in a beer mug, with some pita pizza.
The beer is a nice coppery colour, not cloudy or thick at all, with a fine head that dissipates quickly down to a little trim around the glass. It's got a nice aromatic whiff of hops and sweetness before tasting, and then an almost honey-like flavour. There's a noticeable bit of bitter at the end, but not enough to overwhelm the malty/honey sweet. If I didn't find it tasty, I might have found it a little medicinal (Elizabeth found it had a hint of soapiness and didn't like it, but I think I read it as interesting English hops). I sort of expected a winter ale to be heavier or spiced, but this one is surprisingly aromatic and delicate, and I don't think it has any unorthodox flavouring. If you like hops and are having it solo or with something not too overwhelming (the pizza was white — mayo, mozzarella, fresh tomato and olives — and it was about right), this is a flavourful and surprisingly delicate beer for you.
The beer is a nice coppery colour, not cloudy or thick at all, with a fine head that dissipates quickly down to a little trim around the glass. It's got a nice aromatic whiff of hops and sweetness before tasting, and then an almost honey-like flavour. There's a noticeable bit of bitter at the end, but not enough to overwhelm the malty/honey sweet. If I didn't find it tasty, I might have found it a little medicinal (Elizabeth found it had a hint of soapiness and didn't like it, but I think I read it as interesting English hops). I sort of expected a winter ale to be heavier or spiced, but this one is surprisingly aromatic and delicate, and I don't think it has any unorthodox flavouring. If you like hops and are having it solo or with something not too overwhelming (the pizza was white — mayo, mozzarella, fresh tomato and olives — and it was about right), this is a flavourful and surprisingly delicate beer for you.
