Mike Loves Beer

Name - Never Summer Ale
Country - United States
Type - Winter Warmer

Appearance - Deep red in color but clear through with a slightly tan head.

Smell - Very slight in smell.  Some spices and hops.

Taste - A nice sweet taste of caramel with nice, slight bit of hops to it.  Very good combo there.

Still being winter, or as much of winter as it can be in south Florida, I went with another winter warmer.  This one is by the Boulder Beer Company and really enjoyed it.  There wasn’t much in the way of smell but the taste made up for it a lot.  Nice mixture of bitter and sweet.

Overall Grade – B

Name - Samuel Smith’s Winter Welcome Ale
Country - England
Type - Winter Warmer

Appearance – Poured a very clear, light amber color with a nice white head that subsided rather quickly.

Smell - Slight smells of caramel malts with a backing of apple.

Taste - A sweet malty flavor with hints of granny smith apples and caramel. Very slight taste of spices.

Samuel Smith to me is the beer brewer of England. They make quality beers that are by far some of the best you have ever had of that particular genre. This is not the best I have had from them but as a fellow beer blogger at Belching Monkey says if this was made by most other breweries it would probably be one of their best. That is just how good Sam Smith is with their beers. This one definitely fits the season and I did enjoy it.

Overall Grade – B-

Name - Old Jubilation, Avery Brewing Co.
Country - United States
Type – Winter Warmer

Appearance - Very dark black in color. Similar to a dark roasted color.

Smell – Slightly hoppy and spicy.

Taste - A roasted, hoppy taste with a a bit of spice.

This is a special occasion beer for Avery Brewing. Old Jubilation is a festive beer around fall and winter. Bitter and spicy, is typical to many festive beers. Living in hot Florida drinking this beer is not appetizing, it warms you. Unsure of the alcohol volume, but strong. I would guess in the 7%-8% alcohol volume. Jubilation is best enjoyed in cold weather. Carbonation is good, but overall not a great beer.

Price- $2.00

Overall Grade – D+