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All the World's a Stage for Lagers
Spiced winter beers are popular hybrids among U.S. craft brewers. Typically they are strong lagers that may have had some spice added during the brewing process. True to their name, they make ideal sipping beers with which to ward off winters chill and get a dose of seasonal spices. This style is usually brewed before Christmas and brewers frequently make annual adjustments to their often secret recipes in an effort to obtain that perfect symbiosis between spices, hops and malt.
Interpreting the 100-point Scale
Consumers can translate the point score to the following quality bands:
| Point Range |
Quality Band |
| 96-100 points |
Platinum |
| 90-95 points |
Gold |
| 85-90 points |
Silver |
| 80-84 points |
Bronze |
| Less than 80 |
Not Recommended |
Legend
= Brewpub- ABV = Alcohol by volume
- Date denotes the date on which the beer was tasted
93 Samuel Adams Winter Lager, The Boston Beer Co. (MA). 5.6% ABV (11/09)
Deep copper color. Roasted grain and buttery kettle corn aromas have a nice hint of cinnamon sugar and dried fruits and follow through on a round, supple entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body with chewy molasses and toasted rye bread notes. Finishes with a long, earthy hop accent. Nicely balanced and very drinkable.
86 Winter Skal, Capital Brewery (WI). 5.5% ABV (2/07)
Amber honey color. Pie spice and caramel nut aromas. Dry crisp and refreshing well put together with appealing multigrain and spice flavors.
