Blue Point Winter
Brewed By: Blue Point Brewing
Brewed In: Patchogue, NY
ABV: 5.5%
Type: Amber Ale
Awards:
- Gold Medal: Australian International Beer Awards
What they say: Blue Point Brewing’s Winter Ale is a hearty and robust amber ale. Brewed to chase away the chill of a cool winter night. Made with Pale, Vienna, crystal and chocolate malt. This uncommon amber is only brewed during the cold months of the year. Winter Ale is an extremely popular seasonal specialty. Enjoy the tasty balance of malt and hops. Remember this special ale leaves with Winter.
Website: Still the same webpage that I’ve been complaining about for a year now — but now with embedded porno music! On the word that a friend of a friend got a job as the IT department at Harpoon, maybe I should be more proactive. On the other hand, I have to complement them on the easy availability of promotional shots of their product because it prevents me from having to take them.
Why I picked it: Blue Point I haven’t had. I figured if I was getting back in to this after a month or so away, I should start in some comfortable territory.
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Presentation (5): The presentation in their press image is not the same as the actual 2009 packaging. This year’s design is a more psychedelic blue mosaic design. Of course, since Blue Point’s website is so bad (and makes it impossible to find news), I had to go to the Homestead site on the packaging to find out that the current printing was designed by Long Island artist Danielle DePalma and selected by Blue Point for their 2009 packaging. Because, you know, awesome community relations stuff should be hard to find on your company’s website. Congratulations to Danielle. 4
Originality (5): This falls under the “every craft brewhouse has to have one of these” rule. So, while they don’t get extra points for having a red-colored ale that is sold between November and January, they don’t get penalized for trying to keep up with the Adams’s. 3
Body (10): A see-through red with a healthy head on the pour and a healthy amount of lacing. One would not accuse this beer of being overcarbonated in any way, but it does have just enough to make the flavors play nicely with each other. A much thinner consistency then the standard bearer of this type (Sam’s) but that seems to be a Blue Point thing. Most of Blue Point’s offering seem to go for a less heavy vibe. 6
Taste (10): There was a strong, very noticeable flavor in this beer that I couldn’t quite place. After reading the label, I realized it was chocolate malts. Then I realized it was an overwhelmingly commanding flavor. The Sam version of this beer is a complex mix of cinnamon, ginger, citrus, and nonsense. This doesn’t have many different characteristics. This is a very rare miss from Blue Point in the taste category as the Sam (and Harpoon) versions of the same blow it out of the water. 5
Efficiency (10): The low-ish ABV is made up for by the lightness of this ale. It is incredibly easy to drink, refreshing, light, and wonderful. Unfortunately, the total ABV is just a little too low for a six-pack that I’m spending $12 (Manhattan) on. 7
Versatility (10): This is an extremely drinkable Winter offering; less heavy than Sam’s and less deathly than Brooklyn’s. Really, for entertaining, its relatively low ABV makes it a winner for guests who may have to leave and the distinct, easily identifiable flavor would likely fit the taste of most everyone who doesn’t opt for the wine at your holiday party. You really don’t want to only offer Coors Light to your guests, do you?7
The Snob Sez: If the above reads as a strong criticism to this beer, don’t take it wrong. It’s a delicious beer on its own merits and something I actually enjoyed drinking. The problem is that Blue Point’s in a market with a champion (Sam Adams Winter Lager), a strong runner-up (Harpoon Winter Warmer), and even a strong second runner-up (Great Divide’s Hibernation). Besides that, with the other winter seasonals like the amazing Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout, Blue Point’s in a crowded marketplace in the “get drunk because the family’s around” season. It’s a perfectly acceptable beer — tasty even — but if Blue Point wanted to bring it into a crowded seasonal market full of heavy hitters, they need to bring it harder than this.
Final Score: 32 (of 50) – Good beer
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