Fretboard "Drummer Boy" Winter Warmer

In the seven years that I've been contributing to this blog, I've only noted that a beer was a winter warmer on two other occasions. It did not seem appropriate at either of the other 2 times to specifically call out the winter warmer style, as I just don't find myself coming across that many of them. That said, this is my third winter warmer, so I'm going to go ahead and retroactively apply that label to the other two as well. I hope you enjoy this peek behind the curtain for the development and maintenance of a not entirely popular blog.

A noncontiguous layer of off-white bits settle to the bottom of the glass while the deep oak colored beer produces relatively little head for the aggressive poor that I gave it. Once that head dissipates, remnants of bubbles can be seen around one side of the glass, but this beer is almost as hostile to bubbles as one of the barrel aged beers that I have learned to enjoy. The aroma is delightful on this relatively cold night. Cinnamon leads the charge of spices with honey sweetness following close at hand. This is going to be good.

First sip is, indeed, quite delightful. It is a sweet beer overall with a caramel malt that is enhanced beyond its naturally sweet inclinations with the honey and spices really extending the flavor and experience well past when the sip ends. This is a winter warmer, so the alcohol level is respectable at 8% ABV, and that is felt rather than tasted as it goes down the throat.

Tip-in is very light carbonation tingle with honey, cinnamon, and vanilla coalescing in the center of the mouth in a sweet, warm pool. The middle turns up the carbonation as the flavors get somewhat muted and the orange peel and ginger manage to make themselves known above the cinnamon and honey. The finish slowly becomes dry as bitterness settles in with the ginger and cinnamon mixing together for a haze that blends into the trail off.

Bottom Line: If I had another, I would drink another.

4.25/5