Harpoon Winter Warmer (7/10)

Boston’s Harpoon Brewery produces this Winter Warmer style beer.  Their web site describes it as a “dark copper ale” that has a medium body and “no aromatic hop added that might overpower the distinct spice character”.

The beer pours a clear brown with a coarse off-white head.

The aroma is distinctly cinnamon and nutmeg.

The flavor aligns perfectly with the aroma.  It’s malty, slightly sweet, spicy, and overall very pleasant.  I get a hint of cola in the bottled version, but it comes through more strongly in the draft.

Beer Advocate was pretty tough on this one.  The Bros gave it a 50 or “poor” rating, while the readers were a bit more kind and rated it 73 or “okay”.  Rate Beer put it at a 57 overall.  I’m in agreement with the masses at Beer Advocate, rating it a 7/10 overall.  I don’t like it as well as The Brew Kettle’s, but I like it better than some of the others.

Flavor Profile:

Sweet, Malty, Dry, or Bitter:  Sweet
Spice Level:  Medium
Hops Level: Low
Dominant Flavors:  Malt, cinnamon, nutmeg



ABV: 5.9%
IBU:  23
My Rating: 7/10