Day 19 of the 7th Annual Holiday Beer Advent-ure Calendar
Day 19: Brooklyn Brewery Winter IPA
Brooklyn Brewery has been available in Ohio for some time and I think collectively we’re all fans. We don’t recall having this one before though. There is definitely a difference between drinking an IPA in the summer and drinking an IPA in the winter. During summer they can offer a change of pace to fruity beers and seltzers, and during winter IPAs offer a nice little break from the heavy, spiced winter beers. From the brewery: “Cold weather calls for thick knit hats, swift sleds, and Brooklyn Winter IPA. This classic IPA layers Simcoe and Trident hops for notes of dark fruit, blood orange, and bright, frosty juniper and pine aromas. A touch of rye spice notes warm the finish to keep you cozy to the core. Stock up and enjoy the flurries while they last.”
Reflections
Ben: This is super dry but I don’t mind it. Red IPA’s are generally a bit maltier, but not this guy. I definitely get the roasty character of the grains used here, but there’s not much backbone to it. I’d have this again as a change of pace beer, but I think there’s better hoppy holiday offerings out there.
Julia: Brooklyn is one of my favorite breweries. I actually just enjoyed their Bel Air Sour this weekend which is one of my all time favorite beers. I was excited to try this one even though it’s a red IPA and I don’t think that’s something I normally like. Unfortunately, this is a miss for me. It’s so dry it immediately makes me so thirsty. All I taste is the bitter, dry flavor. It’s way too much for me. I don’t get any winter or citrus flavors
Adam: Bitter pine | literally nothing holiday about this other than the can | bitter aftertaste too. | literally a one note beer.
Alex: Brooklyn Winter IPA doesn’t taste like the holidays to me. It tastes like a normal IPA, so I can taste a piney-ness, in that it could easily be considered a winter beer.
Scott: The Brooklyn Winter IPA is unfortunately not one of my favorites this season. It’s a red IPA so I might just not enjoy the style, but it’s a little dry and bitter for what I normally enjoy and expect from holiday beers. It certainly has a winter ale flavor profile, but I don’t think this is a beer I’d revisit.
Christa: Brooklyn Brand’s Winter IPA is not a winner for me which is a bummer because I typically like IPAs of all varieties. It’s very bitter and dry. It doesn’t finish smooth at all. There’s no piney hops or sweet citrus to save it. At best, it’s bland.
Tony: This one is just too hoppy for me. I do like some IPAs but not when its all hops and not much else. Its bitter and hoppy which will make some IPA enthusiasts happy. The IPAs I enjoy usually have other levels of flavor to help balance out the hoppiness. Maybe citrus to brighten it up or caramel maltiness to mellow it out, but this one doesn’t seem to have either. Maybe it has a touch of citrus, maybe. But thats just my pallet and my tastebuds, I could be missing something on this one but I’m just not feelin it.
Megan: Woof, this is hoppy. I’m maybe getting some citrus aromas (if I search for it) but I really only smell the hops. It’s a nice change up from the fruitier beers and winter warmers but I don’t think I would be a fan of this one. Other than the fact I’m not an IPA fan, I don’t think this stands out to me as winter or Christmas. I would have to pass on this but cheers to the people out there that enjoy a good hoppy beer.
Brad: I really love Brooklyn Brewery. All of their beers are solid and I always reminisce about drinking in their brewpub each time I crack one. The winter IPA is a great break from the heavy spiced booze 16oz cherry cinnamon ginger-y apple beers we’ve been trying. I really enjoy this one. I actually bought a 12 pack of this in cans to continue drinking throughout the season. Also, the can art is awesome.
Heather: Yeah I don’t like it. But that’s just because I don’t like IPAs. I typically love Brooklyn beers, so I’m guessing IPA lovers will really like it? Its rather hoppy and has that signature IPA bitterness, but I don’t taste a whole lotta holiday. It’s a no for me.