Adam Shugan is an associate at one of our Gainesville stores. Beer is his passion.

The third beer of my winter-mix-six-pack was Harpoon’s “Winter Warmer.”  Harpoon stayed true to the winter warmer style with much spices added to this beer.  It poured a very clear honey color.  Aromas of mostly cinnamon, some nutmeg, and baked apples came about upon first smell.  The taste was overpoweringly cinnamon, which produced a slight heat on my taste buds.  This did not leave too much room for any other flavor besides a little hop bitterness to even things out a little.  This brew is definitely for cinnamon lovers and spice addicts with a little cold weather drinkability.

The fourth beer of my winter-mix-six-pack was Samuel Adams “Winter Lager”.  Sam Adams produces a huge variety of tastes in their extensive beer selection.  I had this one chilled and served it in my specially designed Samuel Adams beer glass that I received as a promotion (thanks Sam Adams!).  It poured a lightly carbonated sunset orange color with a tight, white head.  There were smells of cinnamon, faint ginger, and a hint of hop spice.  The taste was well balanced and not overly spiced like Harpoon.  A pleasant mixture of cinnamon, nutmeg, orange peel, toasted malt and some citrusy hops enveloped my taste buds.  Sam Adams fluctuates the alcohol percentage of their winter lagers; this year’s was low but kept it highly drinkable. 

The other two beers in my winter-mix six pack weren’t actually winter beers, so we’ll leave those for a less wintry time!

Cheers!

Adam Shugan, Gainesville