Winchester Beer Crawl – Winchester Brew Works: Hard Work Pays Off
Winchester Brew Works Holiday Quad, Quadruple Ale on Dates Abv 8.6
Winchester Brew Works had eight beers on tap when we were there that ranged from a “Canoe Love” Cream Ale (Uh Huh—don’t make us explain that one) to this 8.6 Big Sipper. We think their entry beers would keep most not-yet-up-to-craft partiers happy for an evening while their friends could enjoy the big complexities of strong ales and IPAs. We liked the gentle way the flavors blended with competing and the rich aftertaste that allowed for the slow sipping this sort of beer not only deserves, but virtually necessitates.
Tasting notes: Even, rich and smooth from the start with lots of dark fruits almost immediately. We were skeptical about the added dates, but they accent without intruding while dark malts lurk in the background. The dark fruits last with some cherry and dark cherry in the aftertaste.
Food Pairings: This would be a good beer for rich and complex dessert. Ever since the manager of the Brugges Bier Museum walked us through a series of strong beers and local Belgian cheeses, though, we’ve been hooked on the idea of a strong finishing beer and a cheese plate to finish the meal. Stop and pick up some local artisan cheeses in town and reward yourself at the brewery. This one, of course, will be gone by the time you get there, but there should be something rich and complex for you. Review #0086 20170320