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Left Hand Snow Bound Winter Ale

 (RETIRED)
Percentile
76
overall

bottled
common

on tap
available

Broad Distribution
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RatingsAverageScoreSeasonalABVStyle PctlServe in
3363.32/5.03.31/5.0Winter8.6%83.2Lager glass, Tumbler
Commercial Description:
Fight cabin fever! Made with Rocky Mountain water, malted barley, hops, yeast, honey, orange zest, and other spices.

Editor’s Note: beginning in 2006, Snow Bound became the name for Left Hand’s strong winter seasonal beer made with honey and spices. It was previously known as XXXmas Ale. Below is the original XXXmas Ale description for reference.

XXXmas Ale is a spiced strong ale, using all natural ingredients to give it its festive nature. We brew this beer from a relatively high initial gravity to give it strength and body. This is (in our opinion) appropriate to a winter beer, and it helps to balance the numerous spices added. Honey is also added to increase fermentable sugars and give additional sweetness. Northern Brewer and Saaz hops are used sparingly, to allow the spices to evidence themselves. We add ground nutmeg, whole cloves, crushed cinnamon, orange zest and chopped ginger to spice the beer. Carbonation is kept low to accentuate the flavor of the beer and spices. It’s like a liquid cake. Brew water is relatively soft.
 Most Recent Top Raters Highest Ratings Who's Rated This?  
 DJMonarch (6832), Northwich, Cheshire, England
3.4 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
7/103/57/103/514/20
Nov 18, 2009  
From the Bottle at TAG Restaurant, Denver 22/09/2009 Spicy nutmeg and cloves aroma. Mid brown coloured smooth and a little rich on the palate. Strong in alcohol with a little bitterness and dryness in a crisp ginger flavoured finish.


yinzerbeernut (55), Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
2.7 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
7/102/55/102/511/20
Oct 17, 2009  
Cloudy dark amber to brown in color with a short lived head. The aroma is powerful and mindful of candy cane combined with a just out of the oven gingerbread cookie. Surprisingly, the mouthfeel is weaker than what I expected. It’s medium bodied at best. The alcohol is noticeable in the taste. It is what it is, a winter warmer.


 DeadGirl (220), West Palm Beach, Florida, USA
4.2 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
9/104/58/104/517/20
Oct 17, 2009    Updated: Oct 18, 2009
Pour from the 650ml. bottle: Bomber. Why the low ratings, people? Orange zest, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, yeast, ginger spices in the finish... I find that Lefthand is very forthcoming with their ingredients, especially with this ale. Drinkability: Dangerously drinkable. Perfect in the cooler months. Rebuy: Right away. #144 on 17102009, DG.


 caresville (106), Vernon, New Jersey, USA
2.9 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
6/103/56/103/511/20
Oct 5, 2009  
pours straight brown, with little head that disappears within seconds. smells of those little debbie gingerbread man cookies, with some nuts and a strong malty presence. tastes very much like cinnamon (too much for me) and i really cant distinguish too many other things. maybe some ginger and some hops? cant drink this one too fast, this beer isnt too bad but just not my style.


 Fratto (712), Arlington, Texas, USA
2.5 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
5/103/55/102/510/20
Sep 22, 2009  
From the Gingerman Fort Worth. Beer brewed with cinnamon, nutmeg, red hots, and ginger.


 danielcurtis81 (888), San Diego, California, USA
3.4 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
6/103/56/103/516/20
Sep 13, 2009  
BPW #58 On tap at HopCat. This brew has aromas and flavors that start with a good cinnamon tone on top of roasted malts with notes of candy sugar as well.


 awiseman01 (346), Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
4 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/103/58/104/517/20
Sep 11, 2009  
Dan’s Bachelor Party Extended Weekend Rating #54 of 90. On tap at HopCat in Grand Rapids. Pours dark brown. Nose contains spices, nutmeg, and cinnamon. Taste melds spices and ripe red fruits with slight coffee/toffee/caramel. Really good!


 41cubs (136), , New Jersey, USA
3.6 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/104/56/104/514/20
Sep 4, 2009  
Merry September to me. Great entertaining beer around the holidays but not an everyday or week for that matter brew for the following reasons. Smells like a milk chocolate covered mint candy cane and a christmas version of a spiced morning glory muffin. Flavor is heavy milky sweetness and holiday spice all around. It’s buttery and filling and a little overwhelming on the sugar scale. Feels great in the mouth, filling and coating all the way and the carbonation is just enough to excentuate the spice. Very cool beer which I will gladly purchase during the holiday months. Thanks Left Hand. 08 or 09. 22 oz.



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