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Buyer's Guide for Beer Lovers

British and North American Styles

The Changing Definition of Style

Winter Ale

Spiced winter ales are popular hybrids among U.S. craft brewers. Typically, they are strong ales that have had some spice added during the brewing process. True to their name, they make ideal sipping beers with which to ward off winters chills and get a dose of seasonal spices.

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

89 Rude Elf’s Reserve, Fegley’s Brew Works (PA). 10.5% ABV (2/11)

Bold spicy aromas of spumoni ice cream, cherry cola and gingersnaps with a lightly chewy and supple, fruity medium-full body with crystallized ginger, cinnamon sugar and nutmeg on the long, juicy mild grassy hop finish. Robustly spicy and decadently satisfying.

88 Wassail Ale, Blue Tractor Brewery (MI). (2/11)

Interesting aromas of chocolate-covered graham cracker, honeyed ginger root and nori with a round, supple, dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body and cola, roasted pepper and radicchio-accented finish. Stylish and tasty.

88 12 Dogs of Christmas Ale, Thirsty Dog Brewing Co. (OH). 8.3% ABV (3/13)

Copper color. Aromas of ginger cookie and spicy pumpkin pie with a supple, fruity-yet-dry medium body and a tangy sassafras and chestnut toffee finish. Very tasty and well-balanced spices.

87 Shattered Solstice Ale, Excelsior Brewing Co. (MN). 5.5% ABV (2/13)

Bold aromas of gingerbread, coriander, thyme, orange blossom honey and flan with a crisp, dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body and a spicy wafer, melon and Asian pear-accented finish.

86 Winter Brau, Peter B’s Brewpub (CA). 5.5% ABV (2/11)

Mild aromas of dark toasted bread and nuts with a crisp, dry medium body and a cocoa, jicama and grassy hop-accented finish.

84 Lions Winter Ale, Granville Island Brewing Co. (Canada). 5.5% ABV (3/12)

Aromas of cocoa puffs, maple fudge and toffee with a sweetish, frothy medium body and a tangy, citrus pith, grass and mineral finish.

84 Winter Brew, Four in Hand (USA). 6.2% ABV (3/13)

Hazy deep copper color. Aromas of chocolate sauce, caramelized nuts and dried fruits with a supple, dry-yet-fruity medium body and a honeyed toasted grain, Play-Doh and alfalfa sprouts-like finish. Not very evocative of a winter beer.

84 Big Chill Winter Warmer, Southport Brewing Co. (CT). 9% ABV (3/13)

Deep copper cherry wood color. Slightly worty aromas suggest potter’s clay, carob and yeasty raisin bread dough with a supple, dry-yet-fruity medium body and a tangy, caramelized nut and pear vinaigrette on frisée-accented finish. A nice food beer.

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