Brooklyn Winter Ale (8/10)

Brooklyn  Brewery produces this Winter Ale.  According to their web site, it’s a Scottish-style Ale brewed with a variety of malts and oats with Willamette hops.  It won a silver medal at the 2011 World Beer Championships and a gold medal in 2009.  It’s available from November through March.

It pours from the bottle a clear, deep coppery brown color. with a tan head that lasts a while.
The aroma is malty with a hint of hops.

The flavor easily makes it the best Brooklyn Brewery product I’ve ever had.  It’s balanced slightly toward the malty side (rather than hoppy), which is what I prefer in a winter beer.  It’s smooth and not overly carbonated.  The hops presence is light, leading to an IBU rating of only 25.

Beer Advocate doesn’t care so much for this beer, with The Bros rating it “okay” at a 75/100 and the visitors giving it an 82/100 or “good”.  Rate Beer gives it a 57 overall.  I’m more in line with the visitors at Beer Advocate here.  I think it’s a very good beer, and rate it 8/10 (which equates to their 82/100).

The beer is reportedly available at Kroger, Giant Eagle, and Lucky’s Grille in Hilliard.  I bought this particular bottle at Kenny Road Market.

Flavor Profile:


Sweet, Malty, Dry, or Bitter:  Malty
Spice Level:  Non-existent
Hops Level:  Low
Dominant Flavors:  Dark roasted malts with a well-balanced hops presence
ABV: 6%
IBU:  25
My Rating: 8/10