Samuel Smith's Winter Welcome Ale
Ahh, nearing the end of my vacation...Almost Turkey Day and then, back to work...Such is life. Pours a beautiful deep amber, clear and crisp. A quick, frothy two finger head forms, hangs out for a smoke, then takes off as quickly as it arrived. Mr. Head left some evidence of his arrival with a small headband of persistent foam, but nary a line of lacing was to be found. Goodly carbonated. Some sweet fruit and malt dominates the nose - ripe banana, apple cider and a hint of mango being the most evident. Somewhat subtle on the nose, this doesn't reach out and grab ya. Spritzer-like mouthfeel from the carbonation greats you straight away. Kind of a creamy texture, also, which is pleasantly surprising. This is a very British tasting ale, and carries that malt tang from the beginning anll the way through the long finish. What I find most surprising is the abundant hop character here. Mr. Hops comes over right after malty has said his hellos and hangs out long after malty leaves. Mr. Hops is the loudest of the attendees and is loved by all. As always with Mr. Smith, this is reasonably priced. What I like most: The really nice, hoppy balance. What I like least: The heavy carbonation. Verdict: Excellent, well-priced British ale that might not meet the "Holiday Ale" criteria for many New World beer lovers...I like it, though. Worth trying.