Crouch Vale Crouch Winter Ale

Formerly brewed at Crouch Vale
Style: Old Ale
South Woodham Ferrers, England

Serve in English pint, Snifter

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Cask (Gallows Bird, Espoo, Real Ale Festival 2003)
Lovely rich colour, spongy head. Subtle, but interesting fruity and sweet aroma. Lovely smooth palate. Full taste - dark and roasty, but not going all the way to burntness. Like a winter warmer but without the alcohol - good winter quaffer.

Strictly speaking a Winter Warmer. Winter Warmers can sometimes be a Barley Wine or a Strong Bitter, but can also be an Old Ale. This had a soft (oh so soft!) malty base. This was all about the deep, deep, deeply delicious malt. There was a slight wine edge, and a restrained alcohol warmth that kept urging to burst through, but was held back by the smooth (oh so smooth) malt. Gone too soon!