Christmas Cracker
Teignworthy Brewery in Newton Abbot, Devon, England 🏴
Bitter - ESB / Strong Bitter Winter|
Score
6.34
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This is our seasonal winter warmer – smooth and rich and is becoming sought after both in and out of the festive season.
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5.2/10
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Appearance 6
Aroma 4
Flavor 6
Texture 4
Overall 6
Brown 500ml bottle, best before 01-2011, drank 12-2009. Poured carefully into a vase shaped pint glass (Old Speckled Hen badged). This bottle conditioned beer poured without much of a head, the body a semi-cloudy mahogany brown, expected more of an explosive look. This was a Christmas present (to myself), so the normal smell of malts and hops associated with standard UK bitters/beers was a big let down. A hint of cinnamon and Christmas type spices only appeared because I wanted them too, proper traces of other yuletide goodies couldn’t be found even though I tried to imprint them into the review! Flavours: Malty yes, Christmas Winter Warmer, sadly no. Fails to produce the goods in the difficult winter brew stakes. A good beer without a doubt, but lacks the punch or umph to excite. I love to champion the small brewery guy, but this left a hole in my appreciation rankings. The 6% ABV was well hidden and a hop bittereness could be found in the aftertaste, but it wasn’t rich or creamy enough to be a world beating Winter Warmer. I note the use of wheat in the ingredients, this might explain the weak bodyfeel for a British Winter Warmer. I actually enjoyed the beer!
Tried
from Bottle
on 25 Apr 2012
at 07:32
6.8/10
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Appearance 8
Aroma 6
Flavor 6
Texture 8
Overall 7
Bottle (kindly delivered by Quack-Duck!): Cloudy, amber coloured, stable creamy beige head; caramelly and (port-)vinous-fruity nose, covering a slight alcoholic touch, maybe some "typical" spices underneath; moderate sweet-bitter flavour, relatively full bodied; slightly brandy-like sweet-fruity and moderately bitter finish. Just good....
Tried
from Bottle
on 03 Mar 2011
at 04:39
6.8/10
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Appearance 6
Aroma 6
Flavor 7
Texture 8
Overall 7
(bottle, courtesy of Quack-Duck) Cloudy, dark amber colour with a big and beige foamy head. Slightly dusty toast-malty aroma with notes of caramel, red berries and a mildly spicy touch. Light-bitter flavour, medium to light bodied with a crisp carbonation. Toast-malty and slightly vinous fruity taste with spicy accents and a tinge of warming alcohol towards the bitter-sweet finish with a caramelly aftertaste. Well-crafted Ale.16.II.11
Tried
from Bottle
on 16 Feb 2011
at 14:37
7.4/10
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Appearance 8
Aroma 7
Flavor 7
Texture 8
Overall 7.5
Bottle from Tuckers Maltings. Reddish amber in colour, with a slight white head and hint of carbonation. Sweet malts, cherries, spice, nuts and liquorice with a decent bitter, warming alcohol finish. A great beer for the winter.
Tried
from Bottle
on 01 May 2010
at 03:25
7/10
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Appearance 8
Aroma 6
Flavor 7
Texture 8
Overall 7
Bottle purchase from Tuckers maltings online. Poured a chesnut colour with very little head good spicey and malty aroma. Taste was pleasantly malty with some dried fruits and had a definate christmasy feel to it. Another good beer from Teignworthy.
Tried
from Bottle
on 10 Dec 2006
at 01:46