Granville Island Lions Winter Ale

Brewed by Granville Island (Brewery - MolsonCoors)
Style: English Strong Ale
Kelowna, Canada

Serve in English pint, Snifter

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I have not yet been able to pinpoint the nice vanilla flavor of this dark ale. It’s just perfect for the season - not too strong and not too light (well maybe a smidgen too light)

Dark amber, lively carbonation with a small head. A somewhat bitter nose with a malty undertone. Some hints of alcohol. The flavor is mostly vanilla with some sweet malts present. Body is average the finish is full of vanilla bean.

If you want your tastebuds tantalized give them one a go. If you are out of towner come to Vancouver in the Winter just to try this beer. I kid you not you will not be dissapointed.

Dear Winter Ale, I know SO many people who have never been beer drinkers, but LOVE Granville Island Lions Winter Ale. I tell people about it constantly. I even buy as much as I can afford near the end of the season so that I can drink it all year. One summer, I ran out in July, and I called the brewery to try to get my fix. They didn’t have any, but the woman that received my message actually called me back, and was very empathetic. I’ve even thought about making commercials for this stuff, it’s so good. If I could live off of it, I would. Love, Your Biggest Fan.....Heather

Simply the best winter Ale that I have ever had so far. Everything is in perfect balance. Irresistable Full Bodied Vanilla Flavored. Extremely smooth and velvety on the palate. This one goes on my top 10 best beers list!! Too bad it is only available in the winter.

bottle. thanks Len. pours a copper-brown body with a small off-white head receding to a small ring. the aroma is vegetal and sweet with some caramel and bread notes. maple sweetness is evident throughout along with some burnt bread malt. watery finish.

Draught at the brewpub. Clear nut brown. Cocoa aroma. Sweetish with plenty of vanilla and chocolate.The body is fairly light and the mouthfeel clean. Low hop rate and bitternss. It does have some really interesting flavours.

Bottle from Josh and served in my La Choufee glassware:
Pours a nice nut brown hue with a fading head but some frothy ring and lace. The aroma starts with a vanilla wafer and cardboard overtone and some ripened apple character. The taste starts with the same vanilla nature with a bcakground of sweet caramel malts. Additional notes of rye bread and fruit punch. Ends with a light spice bite which helped a lot but it still got way too sweet and boring for me. The feel is oily and carbonated but the sweetness dulls the palate. Needs a swift kick of hops or something for depth, very soda-like.

Tastes and smells like vanilla and toasted marshmallows. For half a beer I thought this was a high quality beer, if a little too sweet, and better than the other Granville Island stuff I had tried. After half a beer it began to taste far to sweet, more like cream soda than like beer. Still good quality, but far too sweet.

Bottle. Pours a deep red, almost burgundy, with a cream-coloured head. Smooth, rich, vanilla. Caramel aftertaste. Lovely on the nose and the tounge. Perfect winter beer. Definitely buying it if I can find more.