Lagerheads Winter Mischief (7/10)

Lagerheads Smokehouse and Brewing Co. of Medina, Ohio, produces Winter Mischief.

It pours from the bottle a dark brown with finger-thick tan head that lasts perhaps a minute.

The aroma is spicy and fruity.  Ginger, orange, and perhaps cloves can be picked up in it.  There is something almost medicinal to it, like a fruit-flavored cough drop.

The flavor is malty at the start.  This gives way to honey and ginger, and finishes with a  nutmeg bitterness.  Some cinnamon and orange in there as well.  On balance, it’s a decent beer but not terribly exciting.  I’d prefer it to a Great Lakes Christmas Ale, but not to Thirsty Dogs 12 Dogs of Christmas or Hoppin’ Frog’s Frosted Frog Christmas Ale.

Beer Advocate Rates it an 82 or “good”.  Rate Beer gives it no score at this time, but overall scores as of this writing are averaging around 15 out of 20, which would give it something like a 75-80.  All this fits in with my own rating of 7 out of 10.

This beer was purchased at Kenny Road Market, and I’ve not seen it at other local retailers.

Flavor Profile:
Sweet, Malty, Dry, Bitter, or Sour:  Malty
Spice Level:  Medium
Hops Level:  Low
Dominant Flavors:  Ginger, Cinnamon, Orange, Malt, Honey
ABV: 8%
IBU:  unknown, but probably in the 15-20 range
My Rating: 7/10
Retail Price:  $2.69/bottle, approximately