Summit Brewing Co.
St. Paul, MN
Available: throughout the Midwest
Winter Ale is made with two row malt, caramel, and dark malts; and hopped with Willamette and Tettnanger hops.
Alcohol (wt.): 4.8
Alcohol (vol.): 6.0
Color: 48
Bitterness: 36
Gravity: 1059
Dreaming of a holiday in the North Woods? Wake up to a wonderful winter warmer. Lit by glowing embers, just a hint of ruby can be seen through this dark gem. A head of snow falling on cedars offers comely contrast to the coffee color. Festive fruitcake nose and pumpernickel palate are satisfying with everything from sustaining rabbit stew seasoned with paprika, to hand-cracked walnuts.
If it’s winter and from Minnesota, it better be more than just good! This brew is distinctively great and a beer I’d pay money for. I love its smooth roasted/cocoa sweet maltiness, complimented with wonderful hop flavor and aroma. I can almost feel the Minnesota snow delightfully falling on my face as I enjoy this warming brown, crisp yet full-flavored ale. It’s balanced for uncompromising drinkability. Hats off to Horace!
A russet/brown beer with a deep vinous and berry fruit aroma balanced by dark grain and chocolate. The palate is a delightful balance of sweet grain, chocolate and gently bitter hops. The long finish starts malty and fruity, but hops begin to dominate until the sweetness is overcome by bitterness. A complex and rewarding beer. As the frost glistens on my back lawn, I shall sip it and savor it.
Founder of Merchant du Vin and the Pike Brewing Co., Charles Finkel is a pioneer in the marketing of craft beers in America.
Author of the New Complete Joy of Homebrewing, founder of the Great American Beer Festival and a Beer Examiner at www.examiner.com, Papazian is a leading voice in beer and brewing.
Roger Protz is the author of Complete Guide to World Beer and 300 Beers to Try Before You Die. He is a respected beer authority and editor of the CAMRA Good Beer Guide.
