Great Lakes Brewing Winter Ale

On tap at Volo, courtesy of Hogtown Harry, celebrating the birth of my son (thanks for the pint Harry). Wonderful spicy aroma, really reminded me of the Anchor Christmas beer. Dark brown body, medium white head. Lots of malt sweetness and tons of spice in really nice taste. Formidable body to back everything up (a pleasant surprise from these Lager folks), this beer was a bang on version of a solid Winter Warmer. Congrats Great Lakes on your fine achievement, I look forward to having it again next Winter.

Very nice dark ruby color, nice thick head. Aroma is very much of cinnamon, and spices. Flavor is definetly spicy, but not a hit your over the head spicy. The ginger realls comes out, flavor of ginger bread, and a little twinge of orange on the tail end. Palate was a little thin i thought for a winter warmer though. All in all, a great beer, nice to see Great Lakes venture with their seasonal beers after the great Devil’s pale ale

750 ml bottle - pours a clear dark amber with a small off-white head. Aroma really sweet and malty, some honey and faint mandarin peel. Flavour very nice - again, very sweet, but more complex than the aroma, with the honey, ginger, cinnamon and some dark fruits really coming through. A dry, slightly astringent finish rounds things off. Thick mouthfeel, almost syrupy. Alcohol extremely well-hidden, although it warms as you work your way through the bottle. A lovely beer to sip with a friend on a cold winter evening. Attractive bottle as well. Another winning seasonal from Great Lakes.

Bottle from the brewery. Deep red/brown pour, with a thin film of a head. Aroma of mulled wine and grated ginger. Initial taste of subtle citric sharpness gives way to traditional mulling spices. A tingle of ginger on the tongue pleasantly finishes off the sip. Strong malt backbone, and very little bitterness. I would recommend starting this one chilled and drinking slowly, as different sides to the beer develop as it warms. Another solid brew from Great Lakes.

Spicey, pit fruit aroma, auburn, tiniest of heads. Some of the flavours are allspice, nutmeg, cinnamon, cardomum, brazil nuts, and christmas pudding. Medium bodied, very complex really well balanced. Terrific! Very impressive offering, keep up the good work. Thank You Ralph.