In my quest for unique and wonderful beers, I always keep an eye out for book themed brews when I happened upon this treasure. Samuel Smith’s Winter Welcome Ale, an imported beer from England, rich in flavor and ambered color. I prefer the hoppy beers, but I could certainly pair this ale with the big meal of the day, especially y with a nice chunk of smoked poultry in the plate in front of me.
Also, a perfect beer to cozy up with a good Christmas story (Charles Dickens‘s A Christmas Story comes to mind), on a dreary, chilly evening.
The History of Winter Welcome
Throughout history, beer of somewhat higher alcohol and richness has been enjoyed for the winter holidays, when old friends get together to enjoy the season. Wassail, a festival to celebrate winter and the beer that goes with it, predates the Christian era. Winter Welcome is vintage-dated with a special label each year, and was first shipped to the US in 1990 – it was the first imported winter seasonal beer. Serve in a traditional Sam Smith tulip or nonik glass for the holidays.
Taste
Honey-amber colored, creamy head of small bubbles, floral aroma and delicious caramel malt flavor with great finesse. Fine hop aroma finish and a fruity note from fermentation in open-topped stone “Yorkshire Squares.”
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