Rahr & Sons Winter Warmer Bourbon Barrel Aged Review

Rahr & Sons Brewing Co. of Fort Worth, Texas makes a Bourbon barrel aged English-Style Dark Ale they simple call, Winter Warmer. I call it delicious. I’m reviewing a bottle from 2012 that has been aging 2 years.

This bourbon winter warmer pours dark mahogany with a thick tan head that has long staying power. One whiff and you are hit with bourbon, raisins, and cocoa on the nose. Rahr aged Winter Warmer in barrels for 10 weeks. It tastes wonderful! It’s rich with sweet toasted chocolate and caramel malts, toffee, dried dark fruit, raisins, semi-sweet chocolate, and leather. It’s deep and ancient. The English hops have mellowed and blended creating a long, rich finish. It’s 44 IBU and 9% ABV. There’s no booziness at all at this point. Very smooth with good carbonation.

Rahr dates back to 1847 with a brewery, which later became a famous malting house. Today, Rahr Malting Co. produces and supplies malt and industry-related brewing supplies to roughly 90% of the breweries in the United States. In 2004, great-great-grandson Frederick William “Fritz” Rahr, Jr., opened Rahr & Sons Brewing Co., growing to 20,000 barrels a year with a slew of awards to show for them.

This is an excellent example of a bourbon barrel aged English Strong Ale. I’m sending the elves out to get more.

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    While it's difficult to picture Santa as a young man, he was once. He met the future Mrs. Claus one snowy night when she offered him a winter ale that she brewed herself. It was love at first sight - for both the Mrs. and her winter ales. With Santa's growing fame, his favorite brews became named after his favorite day - Christmas. Santa now travels the world each year to spread the joy that began in a stable in Bethlehem two millennia ago.

    Please note: I reserve the right to delete comments that are offensive or off-topic.