Samuel Smiths Winter Welcome Ale puts me at ease

 I needed a break and Trader Joes delivered with a 3 cheese (blue, grana padano and parm) pizza as well as a sterling brewery in Samuel Smith's.  Sersiously, look at that pizza and realize it's only 3.69. The beer was 2.69. I can get fat and happy for $7. God Bless America.









This label is wicked sweet and reminds me of an old vaudeville or traveling circus poster, which is funny because I have no idea what either of those actually look like, so I guess the label just seems like it would. Here's my research, and I think I'm right - what do you think?

Anywho, I'm unwinding to the tune of ARCHER season 1 while perusing home brewing info because I want to formulate my own recipes and the Winter Welcome really scratches my itch. It has a fruity aroma and sweet malty notes with caramel base. There isn't a big mix of winter spices and at 6% alcohol, it goes down nice. This is a really excellent winter warmer. THE ROCK rating.

Samuel Smith's Imperial Stout is smoothly intoxicating

I spent the day day recovering from our double brewery excursion yesterday and used the time watch football and transfer our Belgian IPA from the primary to the carboy. We poured a healthy glass to sample and while there will be a few tweaks on our next recipe, we both believe the current batch will turn out pretty great. David believes that the temperature control we achieved during this batch through the new wort cooler we bought and my heated bedroom (grrrr) made a huge difference in the brews consistency. It's going to be super hoppy but smooth, and I can't wait to taste it again in two weeks. Still working on a name...

Before fighting the Imperial Forces lead by Darth Stout, R2-D2 posed for a picture with his adversary

I can smell the alcohol (7%) heavily in Samuel Smith's Imperial Stout, as well as a healthy dose of chocolate. The body is really smooth and creamy with an enticing cocoa presence. I'm really enjoying this. Big thanks to my coworker Kate Schriver for giving this to me as a Christmas gift. This warms the belly and my tired soul. THE ROCK rating.