Samuel Smiths Winter Welcome Ale

550ml bottle
6.0% abv
I tried this beer on December 22, 2007 after purchasing my local LCBO outlet. The beer poured a beautiful translucent pale red colour with a generous off-white head that disipates into ricky islands. The aroma is primarily malty with some sweet adjucts as well. The mouthfeel is medium bodied, creamy, and mildly carbonated. The flavout is primarily malt with some hop bitterness attached

A very sweet ale with an amber pour. The flavor tasted like a caramel-covered Granny Smith apple.

Bottle - LCBO Summerhill- Grand big head, wonderful hop/malt aroma with a tiny elbow of kiwi. A unique, malt-hop flavour that is not matched with many other beers, a medium dry finish, enjoyable

Pours copper-colored, with a nice white head that leaves a thick collar, and lacing as you drink. Aroma is caramel malt and some faint earthy hops, with hints of the alcohol. Flavor is caramel and malt, with some earthy character. Alcohol is apparent, but not overwhelming. Thank goodness they finally put this in dark brown bottles. It is so much better than the light struck versions I had on previous years.

12 ounce bottle in pint glass. Clear light copper color with lasting flat head. Very mild malt aroma. Toasted malt and mild fruit (candy apple?) flavor with mild bitter finish. Medium body and carbo. Nice enough, but not what it used to be compared to the many great beers that available nowadays.

Pours a coppery color with a 2 finger head that settles into a thick collar. Lively carbonation. Aroma is malty & sweet, with hints of caramel/brown sugar. Taste--WOW!! Sweet malt balanced by bitter hops, with candy & hints of fruit. Satisfying medium mouthfeel. REALLY good stuff!! I’ll now look forward to the onset of winter if it means having this around to warm me ’til spring!!!

550 mL bottle from LCBO, 2007-08 ed., served at cellar temp. in a tulip glass. DE07/07.

App.: Medium-deep amber, clear, decent light tan head. Aroma: Lots of toffee and dark dried fruits, some stone fruits, light nuttiness and earthiness, light “warm” spices, dark rye bread crust and burnt sugar, light funk. Palate: Medium-ish body, soft carbonation. Flav.: Similar to the nose – fruity, earthy, nutty, caramel/toffee; a touch sweet, a hint of alcohol and a touch of bitterness.

Tasty but uninspiring.

12oz pour to a nice head that goes poof! Gone but laces ok. Nose is all malt and similar to an ESB. Goes down very smooth like an ESB and not what I expected for a Winter beer. Nice balance all in all but there are many Winter/Christmas beers that are better. Young’s is one example. Not a worthy offering from a brewer whose other beers are all world class.