Samuel Smith's Winter Welcome Ale

old faithful · Post by **old faithful** » Sat Dec 17, 2005 3:36 pm

I also picked this up on my sojourn at LCBO today.

I have always been put off of course by the clear bottle. I recall buying these years ago in the States and being disappointed by oxidised or light struck product.

Well, not this one, it is in great condition. I took mine from the back of a case, where it had not been exposed to light (at least, not since packaging!). It was opened just an hour later and tasted beautifully fresh.

The nose was light but the taste rich, it had that "Juicy Fruit" taste a lot of good English beers have with rich malt flavours, Maris Otter-type. The hops are in evidence but have more a drying than a bitter taste, which may be a characteristic of many Northern beers. 6% ABV and that shows, too.

This reminds me very much of the best cask-conditioned ales I had in England only two weeks ago. If anyone wants to see what English cask ale can be like, try this Samuel Smith's beer, it is VERY close. But try to ensure the bottle has not been exposed to light for too long. And, sample it at near room temperature, too much chill and it won't be at its best.

I may buy a case, it is that good.

Gary

GregClow · Post by **GregClow** » Sat Dec 17, 2005 5:15 pm

Wow! Finally, an old faithful review that I can agree with.

I've also had problems with light-struck bottles of the Winter Welcome, but I managed to get some bottles out of an unopened case last year, and my experience was similar to your's. It's a very enjoyable beer.

Now if only Samuel Smith's clued in and stopped putting their beers in clear bottles...

esprit · Post by **esprit** » Sun Dec 18, 2005 1:35 pm

...actually, why don't you clue in and buy only full sealed cases...just kidding...anything to boost sales! Glad to hear the comments as I've got a couple of cases in the cellar waiting for friends to pop over during the holidays. We've brought up the clear bottle thing many times but they're somewhat intransigent on the issue even though they bottle a number of their beers in brown bottles (their Lager and their two Organic beers). The good news is that everything that's shipped to the LCBO is produced specifically for the LCBO (label issues) so we always get fresh product.

old faithful · Post by **old faithful** » Sun Dec 18, 2005 6:19 pm

Thanks, and I wasn't suggesting the clear bottles on the shelf are not very drinkable, but simply that by choosing one kept dark until purchase I would be assured (as far as possible) that it was in very tip-top condition.

Had I not seen the case behind the open shelf at Summerhill, I'd have chosen one from the back part of the cooler.

This is a superb beer, beer as it "should" be, no true beer fan should miss it.

Gary

Belgian · Post by **Belgian** » Mon Dec 19, 2005 11:18 am

Opened a case to try one in rosy shape - at first I didn't care much for the dryness either, but then the overall presentation really grew on me.

Definitely worth a try. I really like the Wm. Shakespeare testimonial on the label, too.

esprit · Post by **esprit** » Mon Dec 19, 2005 2:39 pm

The proof is in the pudding...or something like that...this beer has been a stalwart of the LCBO's Winter promo for some 10 years now and has consistently been well received which is something no other beer can claim. The quantities they order go up and down (mostly down lately) but even the LCBO recognizes a winner when they see one. We'd certainly love to see it on the shelves in early November and until late February but they never buy enough for that to happen....and do please consider buying full cases to deal with the light issue even though most people don't keep it long enough for that to be a problem. Because I have to re-present it each year, I always have some of the previous year's stock on hand which has been stored in a dark and cool place and I can tell you it holds up very well after 12 months. The brewery gives it a shel life of 18 months but, of course, they don't mean in a neon-lit store.

old faithful · Post by **old faithful** » Tue Dec 20, 2005 8:04 am

All points taken.

Indeed I had seen the beer here for years but was unwilling to try it again until recently after the early bad American experiences, but I can see now that was another time.

In general, beer import quality has risen tremendously in the last 10 years.

I will definitely obtain a case soon of Winter Welcome.

Gary

Belgian · Post by **Belgian** » Tue Dec 20, 2005 11:12 am

esprit wrote:The brewery gives it a shel life of 18 months but, of course, they don't mean in a neon-lit store.

And we all know 'shelf life' and 'neon-lit store' are mutually exclusive in practical terns, wink wink, nudge...

I notice this WW is vanishing faster than the Imperial Stout at some locations, so nobody wait too long.

inertiaboy · Post by **inertiaboy** » Tue Dec 20, 2005 11:16 am

Belgian wrote:I notice this WW is vanishing faster than the Imperial Stout at some locations, so nobody wait too long.

At my local store, the Westmalle, Orval, WW, and Imperial Stout all sold out, there is one Fuller's left, and the Rochefort is dwindling. Very positive development, especially considering the crappy shelf placement beside the alcopops.