Samuel Smiths Winter Welcome Ale

I am a Samuel Smith’s nut, which is why this one disappoints. The Nut Brown Ale, the Oatmeal Stout, and the Imperial Stout are really the best beers I’ve ever had. I want the rest of the Sam stable to be as good, but alas, they are not. Anything Sam makes has something special about it. I just can’t get over those heads. And the mouthfeel is always above the rest - - something somehow rich and buttery. But flavorwise I just don’t find all that much special about this. Better than most stuff I run into? Yes. Good for a Sam’s? Meh. I’m going to put this same review on the Organic Ale and the Organic Lager because it’s the same with them. I’ll take them over non-Sam beers, but they fall short Sam-wise.

GREAT AMBER COLOR, WITH HINTS OF CITRUS IN THE SCENT. NOT QUITE AS HARSH AS OTHER WINTER ALES WHICH MAKES IT A WELCOME CHANGE.

Bottled (BBE 08/2008)
Amber color, good creamy beige head. Nutty, lemony aroma, nose is not very strong. Slightly liquerish, old ale -type palate, but ligther than they usually are. Nutty malty, hints of alcholic in the end. Quite simple and such a bit boring winter warmer.

Big offwhite head shrinks slowly. Amber body with ongoing carbonation. Soft, syrupy, caramelly aroma with notes of dried fruit. Very harmonic, but not very strong. Sweetish papery caramelly taste with vague fruity, hoppy, metallic notes. Clean, sharpish palate. Somewhat thin-bodied. Dry nutty metallic aftertaste. Good, but much lighter than expected, and not really a great beer. (0.55l bottle ordered from the Wine Monopoly.)

From 550 mL bottle- poured transparent dark amber color, some carbonation noticeable, slowly bubbling away head. Aroma of caramel, malt, and fruit. Hits the mouth with a bit of sweetness, some malt, medium body, finish a little bitter. Not bad for a seasonal.

Sweet. Very strong taste of caramel. Almost candy like. A bit too sweet for me,though. Not a winter I’ve returned to since that first tasting....but I might if it hits our shelves this year.

500ml bottle @ Cardinal. Nut brown body with a small beige head. Aroma is fruity, caramel malt and dry fruit. Flavor is a balanced mix of what to find in the aroma. Harmonious malty sweetness, distinct bitterness and warming alcohol. Nice.

550ml bottle (Porvoo Harvest/Dark Beer Festival 2007) ruddy oak colour, thin head. vanilla oaky aroma, nutty woody taste.very mellow but forceful oaky woody and nuttiness. excellent warming ale.