Samuel Smith 'Winter Welcome' Ale 2017-2018. 6% abv. Dark honey color with a finger of foamy, ivory head. Outstanding retention and superb lace. Head gradually falls to a thick sustaining collar and scattered surface, with lacing that clings throughout without fade. Nose of caramel, bright spice, sweet bread, with notes of allspice emerging as the temp rises to room.

First taste is malt, herbal hops, treacle, white bread, floral back end. Aftertaste is slight pepper, bitter herbal hops, molasses, botanical semi-sweet finish. Medium-full body. Mouthfeel is warm, round, silky, carby.

This is an excellent winter brew, a modern classic from the old world. It's rich and malty, but balanced well with bouquets of spice and hops. The ratio of bitter to sweet is a perfect note, with the sweet malt refraining from being dominant, making way for the bitter herbal hops to poke through on the back of each sip. 

It's been four years since I last reviewed this annual beer, and it's just as expertly crafted now as it was then, and no doubt like all their beers have been crafted since 1758. One of the original winter beers, a benchmark in its category, this is a wonderful beer that I look forward to each holiday season. Highly recommended.

From the brewery:

"This seasonal beer is a limited edition brewed for the short days and long nights of winter. The full body resulting from fermentation in stone Yorkshire squares and the luxurious malt character, which will appeal to a broad range of drinkers, is balanced against whole-dried Fuggle and Golding hops with nuances and complexities that should be contemplated before an open fire."
[source: bottle]

"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... 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."
[source: merchantduvin.com]

Samuel Smith Organic Chocolate Stout. 5% abv. 28 IBU. Black in color. Thick creamy beige head. Excellent retention and lacing. Nose of fresh chocolate, sweet malt, roasted grain. Front taste of bittersweet chocolate, vanilla. Aftertaste of sweet dark chocolate, dark fruit, bitter herbal. Medium body. Mouthfeel is creamy, slightly sticky, silky.

This is an outstanding beer. My favorite chocolate brew. The chocolate grain is nicely roasted, fresh, ever present. Feels like a big beer but with a low abv and easy drinkability. Simply put, this is a world-class beer, a benchmark that rivals even Young's Double Chocolate. Strongly recommended.

From the brewery:

"Brewed with well water (the original well, sunk in 1758, is still in use with the hard water is drawn from 85 feet underground), the gently roasted organic chocolate malt and organic cocoa impart a delicious, smooth and creamy character, with inviting deep flavours and a delightful finish - this is the perfect marriage of satisfying stout and luxurious chocolate."

[source: samuelsmithsbrewery.co.uk]

"Brewed with well water from the original brewery well sunk in 1758, the gently roasted organic chocolate malt and real organic cocoa used in this ale impart a delicious, smooth and creamy character, with inviting deep flavours and a delightful finish - this is the perfect marriage of satisfying stout and luxurious chocolate that will lead to smiles and refills. Samuel Smith’s brews in traditional 'Yorkshire Squares' for fermentation, and ships every bottle from the brewery with great pride."

[source: bottle]

Samuel Smith 'Winter Welcome' Ale 2013-2014. 6% abv. 32 IBU. Amber-golden color. Thick creamy head with excellent retention and lacing throughout. Aromas of rich malt and some bright spice. Front taste is somewhat malty with a mild bitter hop bite that falls going into the aftertaste, which is faintly malty sweet. Thin-medium body. Mouthfeel is thin, clean, some carb.

Samuel Smith is one of those dependable old breweries that makes a lot of home runs. Though most other Christmas/Winter brews are bigger and bolder than this one, it's still a classic and an old favorite. Well recommended.

From the brewery:

"This seasonal beer is a limited edition brewed for the short days and long nights of winter. The full body resulting from fermentation in ‘stone Yorkshire squares’ and the luxurious malt character, which will appeal to a broad range of drinkers, is balanced against whole-dried Fuggle and Golding hops with nuances and complexities that should be contemplated before an open fire."

[source: www.samuelsmithsbrewery.co.uk]