Highland Cold Mountain Winter Ale

Howdy fellow snobs!

I’ve been a little lax on the posts lately, my apologies – I think we all know how hectic the holidays can get. However, the great thing about the holidays/winter is the awesome seasonal beer. Up on deck tonight is Highland’s Cold Mountain Winter Ale that I picked up from our friends at the Westland Market and Beer Gallery (admittedly over two weeks ago [insert ashamed face here]).

It’s not very often we see bombers from Highland around these parts but it’s always a welcome sight. Cold Mountain is another one of those brews with a recipe that gets altered a bit from year to year to keep us all on our toes. This brew pours with a nice amber color and a head that lingers nicely on the glass. On the nose I’m getting vanilla, caramel, some nut and a hint of spice. Now, on the tongue is where this beer gets interesting. Immediately the malts come across as soon as it hits your tongue with a hint of bitterness but on the back you taste nuts, vanilla, and what seems to me like a little dark chocolate with a very nice bitter finish. The malt, sweetness and bitterness of this beer is a combo I was not expecting. This has taught me not to judge a beer by its color as I would not expect flavors like this from a brew with an amber hue (look at me ma, I rhymed!).

Final Snobs: Two thumbs and one big toe up. Great beer. I had intentions of corking the second half of this 22 oz for later but I’ll tell you right now that isn’t going to happen.