Hale’s Ales Wee Heavy Winter Ale

I undoubtedly picked this up a little off-season, but the last offering from Hale’s Ales looked too good to pass up, and winter ales tend to hold their own long past the first thaw…

Hale’s Ales Wee Heavy Winter Ale settled a hazy chestnut color in the glass, with suspended yeast slowly settling below the thick, brown head.  Coffee, figs, and burnt sugar led the nose.

Hale’s Ales Wee Heavy Winter Ale had a thick, creamy start of coffee and light citrus that quickly darkened into a cacao nib and latte body.  Some of the darker flavors took on a slight sweetness as the ale faded, and subtle burnt notes came through at the finish.

Hale’s Ales Wee Heavy Winter Ale is one of the few Wee Heavies I have tried, so I’m not quite sure how to bench mark it.  Sweet and heavy like a barley wine without the cloy, bright and floral like a CDA, but not enough hops to compare… it’s a nice winter warmer.

Hale's Ales Rudyard's Rare Barleywine Style Ale

One more night of bigness, then I need to give my palette a rest!  Hailing from Seattle, WA, Hales Ales Brewery is new to me, but I couldn't pass up Hale's Ales Rudyard's Rare Barleywine.

Hale's Ales Rudyard's Rare Barleywine was heavily carbonated and poured a cola color in the glass, capped with a medium tan head. Molasses took center stage in the nose, accompanied by a subtle burnt pine smell.

Hale's Ales Rudyard's Rare Barleywine opened with equal parts pine and coffee, with little carbonation.  The ale settled into a body of toffee, vanilla, and caramel with a surprising increase in sweetness towards the end.  Rudyard's Rare ended with a slight bitterness and some alcohol heat.

The bottle didn't have a date on it, but Hale's Ales Rudyard's Rare Barleywine came across a a young but drinkable ale.  It is more aggressive than one would expect when considering the 9% ABV, and the hops could use a little time to mellow out.  Pick up a few, drink one now, and lay the rest down for a year.