Day 9 of the 5th Annual Advent-ure Calendar

Day 9: Flying Dog Brewery K-9 Winter Warmer

Here’s another new-to-us beer on the list. Flying Dog makes some pretty good beers so we’re excited to try this one. We also all have dogs so we’re fans of the name. From the brewery: “After a long day of sliding across icy parking lots on your face, there’s no better way to beat back the cold than with K-9 Winter Warmer, a strong English ale teeming with deep malty flavor and nutty spiciness. Pull up a seat by the fireplace with a slice of spice cake or a bowl of hearty stew, and let K-9 thaw your soul in ways a Snuggie never could.”

Reflections

Beard & Broad
Beard: I was scared of this once I read that cardamom was in it. Never had a good beer with cardamom. First sip, this isn’t bad. Buuuuut, then it warms up and I’m not a fan. That astringent spice starts to really come through and overtake the beer. I don’t even really get that much vanilla. Less is more with these kinds of spiced beers and this just has too much of an ok thing.

Broad: Upon first sip, I was initially very intrigued. It tasted like a warm, cozy Christmas ale. But after drinking it further, it gets a little spicer and a lot maltier and I’m not really here for it. I also get a metallic aftertaste. It’s too much for me. “Winter Warmers” are always hard for me. I either love them or hate them. I don’t necessarily “hate” this but I wouldn’t add it to my rotation of holiday beers.

Adam & Alex
Adam: I really enjoy this winter warmer. I get the cocoa and vanilla but none of the cardamom. It’s boozy but not overly so. This falls in with the traditional holiday beers I really enjoy. It is indeed warming and makes me think of long dark nights with fire places, good meals, and a classic black
And white Christmas movie.

Alex: I really enjoyed K-9 Winter Warmer.  This is another one that isn’t very holiday spice forward, but is pleasant to drink and does not overdo it on the flavors.  I can taste the cocoa and vanilla.  I would definitely drink this one again.

Scott & Christa
Scott: Well hello there…I think I found one of my new favorites! The Flying Dog K-9 Winter Warmer is a really, really good beer.  It’s similar in flavor to Great Lakes Christmas Ale, with a little more bite and a little less sweetness.  It’s not necessarily better, but it’s delicious and the awesome can lives up to the beer inside.

Christa: I want to love this beer as much as my husband loves this beer but I can’t muster up the feelings. I definitely get the nice spicy hints on first sip, cardamom and vanilla, but it gets a little soap-y after each sip and it finishes a little flat for me. I am hoping it’s just the cold I’ve been fighting so I’ll give this another try later this season.

Tony & Megan
Tony: Clark, Audrey’s frozen from the waist down. Its all part of the experience honey. There are gonna be some misses, just based on my own tastes, in the beer adventure and its all part of the experience. This is a miss for me. Its not bad, I like the vanilla and cocoa flavors, but I also am getting a slightly metallic finish. I dont know if thats the cardamom or something with the can itself but its not pleasant. That being said, I dont recall ever having this one so definitely appreciate trying something new, it just didnt hit the mark for me.

Megan: Dark, robust, heavy, sweet. I think Tony and I have come to the conclusion that the taste we’re getting is cardamom and unfortunately, we’re not fans. You get the cocoa and vanilla but I’ve had other cocoa flavored beers that I like much more than this. It’s not my favorite but solid effort.

Brad & Heather
Brad: I’m a Flying Dog fan and enjoyed visiting the brewery last year. I was very excited to try this beer since I’ve never had their winter warmer. First smell and first sip were great but after a while, it left a bad aftertaste in my mouth. I can’t put my finger on it but I’m not a fan. I did taste the vanilla but it disappears very quick after this aftertaste comes on. I really wanted to like this one but I don’t think I’ll search for it again.

Heather: If coffee were a Christmas beer… This one makes me all warm and toasty. Is an easy drink, and it’s doggone good. The end.