Samuel Smiths Winter Welcome Ale

Brewed by Samuel Smith
Style: English Strong Ale
Tadcaster, England

2007/2008 vintage poured into a Duvel tulip glass A- Pours a dark orange/copper hue with a small, white head that is mostly diminishing, minimal lacing S- Nose is of dark fruits and sweet molasses, caramel, pine/earthy aromas, alcohol, spices, and a touch of yeast T- Initial taste is sweet rich malts, biscuity and toasty, followed by earthy and spicey tones, finish is dry with slight alcohol M- Light/medium-bodied ale, thick and oily texture coats the tongue, moderate carbonation D- 6%abv makes this a surprisingly easy-drinking "winter warmer", this is usually a plus, but I would prefer more body and alcohol heft to a winter ale, an interesting ale with a colorful label, but I am not too compelled for a repeat performance

Pours a deep copper brown with minimal off-white head. Bread and yeast on the nose. The flavor is reminiscent of watered down sweet rum. Not my favorite I’ve tried...

Pours orange-amber into the glass, with a tiny retentive head that leaves trace soapy lace. Some bready dough notes to the nose, that transfer into the mouth. Definitely of the ESB persuasion, it also contains some copper/metallic notes, biscuit malts interwoven with caramel malts and slight pie spices. Sounds complex enough, but not a whole lot in the mouthfeel department. A bit thin for a winter brew, despite the medium ABV. Carbonation levels are zesty, especially building on a muddy-hopped finish. Ok for a rating, but not one that I’d seek out on a regular basis. EDIT: Does get slightly better as the brew warms, but the mouthfeel doesn’t get better, lacking complexity.

This picture is a dude fly fishing on the front. Looks fairly pale yellow, perhaps a tad orangish. Smell is a little like hardtack candy with a metal background. Taste is a little strong, alky-ish. Has good carbonation on the palate. Flavor is a little unrefined for a Sammy. Spicy creamy between the tongue and roof of mouth feel. Leaves a fairly strong lingering feel on the back of the throat.

Bottle. Pours a very light copper colour. Very good strong ale. Perfect for the winter months.

Sampled at Studioo 35 tasting: Amber pour with a wispy white head. Almost a cider-like quality to this beer, with a bit of bready caramel malt. I want to say a tad astringent.

Old Sam Smith’s winter welcome, this used to be a seasonal favorite of mine about 8-9 years ago and in the last couple years I have completely stopped drinking English ales altogether. This is a nice perfectly clear orange color. The smell is bread and the slightest hint of vinegar. The flavor is more malt and again a note of vinegar. While this is not offensive it is still not something I seek out, just average. I wonder why I liked it so much back in the day? Serving type: bottle Reviewed on: 11-29-2008 01:45:42

Not a bad winter ale, if fairly standard. Amber colored with a frothy white head. Aroma is malt, spices, and some fruit. Flavor is sweet caramel malt, apples, spices, and some English hop bitterness. Well-rounded and somewhat warming.