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At the risk of becoming a pariah, I enjoy Wychwood brews and especially enjoyed this one. I find them all really sessionable and enjoy the sweet malt character they all share. I spent alot of time in the British Isles tasting ales and Wychwood brews emerged as some of my favourites. To each their own I guess.
I generally like the Wychwood brews that the LCBO has brought in other than the Black Wych Stout. I can usually think of one or two similar beers that are better than the Wychwood ones like the Humbug vs Black Oak's Nutcracker, but when I want a slew of British Ales, usually the Wychwood brews are in the mix.
Just had a Bah Humbug last night with some sticky toffee cake-type dessert. This was really good, just the right amount of cinnamon on the nose and a good dose of it on the tongue once it warmed. And not that it really matters much, but the deep, vibrant ruby/brown colour with the off-white head was the best-looking pint I've seen in a while. Cinnamon and other spiced beers are some of my favourites (Sam Adams Old Fezziwig is a good one if you want a lot of cinnamon.) I imagine that Nutcracker is more roasty/burnt than this?
I was pleasanly surprised by this beer, and I think it would make a pretty good ('cause of the label) non-intimidating beer gift this xmas for the adventurous macro swiller on your list.
I bought way too much of it last year and burned myself out on it. I took a case to our xmas party to share and after the night there were 3 or 4 left over. They've been at my in-laws ever since. I might crack them open on xmas eve, but I'm done buying it.
Resurrecting this thread as this beer is back for another round.
I'm pleasantly surprised by my sample.. I was expecting it to taste like a Christmas tree and a fruit cake run through the wood chipper. But the cinnamon spice levels they've implemented are actually quite nice. There is some sweet malts, not a lot of hops, it's fairly one dimensional, the mouth feel as mentioned is watery but you know what.. it sort of works despite this. Not bad for an impulse novelty pick up.
If it's anything like last year, too much cinnamon for me--totally one dimensional. Although I must admit (speaking of flavoured beers), I also found the Rogue hazelnut boring. I suppose I don't much like beers that have a really prominent added flavouring. Not one to fuss overly much about my own contradictions, now I'm off to pick up a case of the B.D. Cherry Porter.
I disliked this when I tried it two years ago. Thin body, too much cinnamon, and it made me sneeze. (Seriously. ) Given the strength of the other current offerings (and the weakness of my bank account), I won't be trying it again this year.
Had two bottles a couple of years ago. One was wonderfully cinnamonny and spicy, the other tasted like i imagine drinking an ashtray would taste like (ie most unpleasant).
Its a shame, because if they all tasted like the good one, this would be an enjoyable beer.
The flavour profile seems to be more balanced compared to a year ago, it's more along the lines of where it was in 2006. Its fitting for the winter. Note for GTA folks: hang onto yours for a couple months, winter should arrive down there sometime in january or so...
