Big Al Winter Warmer

Brewed by Big Al Brewing
Style: American Strong Ale
Seattle, Washington USA

Serve in Snifter, Trappist glass

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10/9/09 at the brewery. The nose is nutty and warm with dark dried fruit and a sharp roasty background. Appearance is fairly clear dark brown with a cream colored head and excellent lacing. Flavor is bittersweet chocolate forward with solid caramel and a fruity cream background that lingers into the finish. A slight tart note balances the sweetnes well, but never gets a hint of sourness. Mouthfeel is full bodied, smooth, with a moderate carb texture, light warmth and a lightly grainy finish. Overall, a complex brew that brings loads of malt character yet enough bite to seperate this from the other dark ales of the season.

This ain’t a stout. Well sorta. I’d agree with the previous reviewers in saying that this is a prime example of a strong american ale. It’s darkness gives a stout-like impression, however it really is lacking the sharp roasted edge and coffee-like qualities you would expect in a stout. Instead you’ll find a decently hopped ale that has a distinct fruity esther. There’s a lingering sweetness in the finish that carries over for a bit too long.

Draught. A spicey raisiny sweet drink. Some roasty malt but the fruit and sweetness are much more present. Works well and comes across very smooth.

Draught. Pours black with a bubble/frothy beige head. Smells a bit earthy and dusty, but not much else. A hint of roasted malt. Tastes semisweet with a fair among of bitter. Some fig or raisin. Full bodied. Medium carbonation. Find she’s dry. Not a fan.

Pint - Eastside Club Tavern
Brown in color, clear with a thin head. Big aroma coffee and hops. Loved the flavor this was easy drinking and warmed up well. Big alcohol this is not your daddy’s brew. Toffee, dry finish this was a super complex big beer.

This dark strong ale is about as good of an example of the winter warmer style as you’ll find in the NW. It thrives on a big nutty, caramel base with some dark fruit. Significant, but not overwhelming, alcohol warmth will help you forget about the cold in a pinch. It manages to be big and bold, but it is still incredibly drinkable at 6.5% ABV. Nicely done. - Note that I definitely do not agree that this fits anywhere in the category of a stout....

Black,small lasting tan head.Nose of molasses,brown sugar,alcohol.Sweet start,dry malt mid,medium roast bitterness in finish, sweet overtones

Pours a deep brown with mahogany edges. Nice malty aroma. Full bodied and malty. Great finish. Really nice beer.

I was curious to see what style this was categorized as is, because on imbibing it, it defied easy classification. Deep blood red-black with a head that adequately stretches to cover the top. Barely a wisp of aroma though finally some feint roasty and candi notes punch through. Flush, rich and complex body full of a medley of roasted malts and candi. Dry finish. Startlingly complex for such a roasted brew. An unusual, but delicious winter warmer.

Aroma of dark fruit, chocolate, and roasted malt. Pours dark, almost black. The flavor is very roasty with nice sweetness from chocolate and dark fruit, caramel perhaps too. Nice roasty finish.