Beer Man: Winter Warmer, Salted Caramel brews make season bright
Beer Man is a weekly profile of beers from across the country and around the world.
This week: Genesee Winter Warmer Ale
Genesee Brewing Co., Rochester, N.Y.
When Genesee says “winter warmer” it really means it — most of these seasonal beers are in the 6% ABV range, but Genesee’s offering is a whopping 9%.
It couldn’t have come at a better time, as the Midwest, including my central Wisconsin home, was just hit with below-zero highs that normally don’t appear until January.
Winter Warmer featured a mellow chocolate and caramel malt mix without a roast presence that reminded me of a good German dunkel, although WW is an ale, not a lager. There was nice fresh grain in the aroma and the beer poured dark brown with a half-inch tan head.
Slight notes of raisin, cherry and cinnamon also became more noticeable as the beer warmed. The beer drank very smooth and did not seem like a 9% ABV beer — at least until the ale started warming in the glass, where it became pleasant without getting boozy.
Equally good was Genesee’s Salted Caramel Chocolate Porter (6.5% ABV). Although the malt flavors were good in the Winter Warmer, the chocolate and caramel were more pronounced in the porter, with the chocolate venturing into cocoa territory and the caramel a rich toffee. The porter also had a creamier mouthfeel.
The beer was made in collaboration with Hedonist Artisan Chocolates of Rochester. This chocolate and caramel quality showed up exquisitely in the porter. The salt was not too noticeable at first, but became more apparent as the beer warmed up. As befitting such a beer, there was more sweetness than the Winter Warmer, but in balance and accenting the malt flavors.
The porter was more roasty than the Winter Warmer, with a bit of coffee flavor and bitterness typical in most porters.
It did seem to need a bit more of the salt, however. I can imagine the problem of brewing with salt. I am constantly adjusting my cooking recipes because the salt I taste while cooking seems fine, but when the meal is done it turns out to be just a bit too much.
Genesee beers are available in Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Virginia. It has a Beer Finder link at the top of its home page.
Many beers are available only regionally. Check the brewer's website, which often contains information on product availability by mail. Contact Todd Haefer at beerman@postcrescent.com. To read previous Beer Man columns, click here.