I’ve been looking forward to drinking this bottle of Sam Smith’s Winter Warmer Ale (2009-2010) for some time, and not without a little trepidation as the best before date was September 2010! It comes in a 550ml bottle, which although not a pint, is somewhat closer than most other bottled beers get in this EU dominated, politically correct, health and safety mad, world. It’s a dark amber, 6% ABV, ale, that’s not quite a bitter (maybe it was when I bought it). It has a round, warming and rewarding flavour with good balance between the malt and hops. I can see that it would be ideal for a cold winter’s night in front of a roaring log fire, and works well on a cold summer’s night too. It went down rather well, and I’m rather pleased that there’s another bottle on the shelf.
This ale’s a bit like coming home. As a student in York, Sam Smith’s was my local brewery, and I certainly enjoyed the Old Brewery Bitter (and still do). This is less bitter and rather more rounded. And yes, just a bit nutty. Highly recommended. Oh – and it also comes in a pint bottle, none of those namby pamby, Euro style 500ml bottles!
Everything stops for beer 