Review: Michelob Winter's Bourbon Cask Ale

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•   Appearance:  B    •    Aroma:  B-    •   Taste:  B      •

Overall:  B

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Wow, this is a solid beer from A-B/InBev.  The Michelob brand seems to have a craft brew mentality these days and it keeps drawing me in thanks to my proximity to St. Louis.  I saw this seasonal brew at "the candy store" (Corral Liquors) while picking up supplies for the Thanksgiving holiday and couldn't resist giving it a try.

The label describes itself as a "Winter Ale Aged on Bourbon Oak Casks and Whole Madagascan Vanilla Beans" .  That description holds up quite well.    This is a unique beer with definite vanilla highlights that are complimented by distinct caramel malt flavors.

This beer has a nice amber color with a light head that fades very quickly with zero lacing.   Vanilla notes are the highlight of the aroma.  You can also pick up some of the caramel malt in the nose but no detectable hops up front.

The taste is all about vanilla, oak, caramel, and sweet malt.  Only a slight background of hop bitterness.  This is a good holiday brew with likely a higher alcohol content than most A-B products, but the creamy sweetness of this beer hides it well.  This beer reminds me quite a bit of an old fashioned cream soda.

Notable improvements would be some head retention, some spice to balance the sweetness and aroma hops.  Give this beer a try, its quite surprising.  I'll probably pick up another six to share over Christmas break.

Cheers, and Happy Thanksgiving!

D