Orkney Brewery Clootie Dumpling Winter Warmer at 4.3% ABV (2016 Craft Beer Advent Calendar #23, 330 ml, best before 31-Jul-2018, acquired 25-Sep-2016, reviewed 23-Dec-2016)
Appearance: clear deep gold with two fingers of fluffy ivory head, good retention and patchy, no lacing. (3/5) Aroma: caramel, seasonal spices, bready, banana, light metallic. (7/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate-low bitter. (6/10) Palate: medium body, moderate-low carbonation, medium duration lightly spicy finish. (3/5)
Advent day #23 is another example of that style-but-not-really-a-style that I love to complain about, the Winter Warmer. And, unfortunately, this isn’t a particularly good example of that “style” – really just more of a fairly unremarkable ESB with some mild “seasonal spices”. (The ABV is far too low to contribute any warming character.) Aside from the frankly off-putting name, there’s nothing much to recommend it one way or the other. (13/20)
6.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
