Samuel Smiths Winter Welcome Ale

Lovely burnt golden colour with a good white head, not that thick but lasts well. Slight malty sweetness, the hoppy bitters creep in and linger well on the impressively long finish, always a good sign as far as I’m concerned. A fairly complex nose with rich malt and some spice in the background. A fine satisfying brew.

Aroma: Kind of weak, but good. Mildly phenolic, some caramel malt and butterscotch/maple syrup sweetness, a quasi-Belgian spice-fruit-yeast combination, and painfully bashful woody hops. Might go well with a Christmas dinner, especially turkey or ham with cranberry sauce. Appearance: A crystal-clear, dark auburn; gives the impression of peach-infused iced tea. Head is impressive, a muted ivory color mottled with big bubbles. Flavor: Not bad... sweet, spicy alcohol. Roasted malts and a nice pink grapefruit pithy hop character that lingers in the aftertaste. Palate: Fine... nothing to write home about. Doesn’t quite give me the warming sensation I hoped for. Overall: I must say, this beer is a bit on the bland side and is getting boring rather quickly. I don’t think I’ll buy it again.

550ml bottle, 2007/2008 vintage. Pours a clear coppery amber with a decent white head. Toffee malt aroma which tends towards biscuity on the tongue. Unfortunately, not very balanced and could do with more hops. There are much better winter beers out there.

07-08 12oz bollte. Amber color with a light, thin head. Aromas of sweet malt and brown sugar. Dry bittersweet slightly fruity toffee finish with a hint of chocolate. I like it a lot.

Bottled, 550ml, pasteurised. Clear Amber with white head. Highish CO2 levels giving a cardboardy taste along with the boiled veg notes from the body, this was very disappointing unfortunately. Sweetish with some fruitiness but very short in the finish. Tastes if its more for export than for the home market, which is a shame.

Great beer. Very complex taste. Full of spices. Smooth malt, bit roasted and sweet. Nutty aroma, with subtle feel of hops. Alcohol is quite detectable. Dark orange colour with medium head. Mid-low carbonated.

Bottle. Suprisingly good tasting. I was not much on English Beer but I’m starting to come around. Nice reddish gold color. Good aroma and nice taste. Recommend it.

Crack! It’s a 2 run triple. Man this is fine stuff. I initially smelled a lot of barley, hops, and some fruit or spice. It’s a nice orange-red color. It’s flavor is fruity, malty, and alchohol. It’s carbonated, but not gassy. It’s good.