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Nutcracker

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Hints of molasses are balanced by the spiciness of Chinook hops in this hearty, warming winter ale, deep amber in color. Boulevard calls Nutcracker its holiday gift for real beer lovers and a classic winter ale, brewed since 1995. Winter Warmer, 7.8% ABV and 38 IBU, with 61 EBC for the deep amber. A seasonal limited release.

ABV
7.8%
Bitterness
Noticeably bitter38 IBU
SRM
dark31
PaceSipper
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
spicyspicy hopmalty
spicy
spicy hop
malty
caramel
Aroma
The nose opens with prominent spice notes from Chinook hops, layered with darker caramel sweetness and hints of molasses.
not found:hoppy,roasted,fruity,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Nutcracker

◎ Appearance

Deep amber hue with a rich, burnished tone that speaks to substantial caramel malt character. The head builds generously and maintains good retention, leaving fine strands of lacing on the glass. Clarity is very good, with a warm glow when held to light.

deep amberexcellent head retentionwarm translucent

◌ Aroma

The nose opens with prominent spice notes from Chinook hops, layered with darker caramel sweetness and hints of molasses. Subtle toffee undertones emerge, with a gentle warming spice that invites the nose back. Malt depth dominates rather than hop sharpness, creating an inviting, complex bouquet.

spiced hopscaramel sweetnessmolasses noteswarming spice

◐ Taste

The palate is full-bodied and smooth on entry, with rich malty sweetness meeting assertive spice from the Chinook hops. Mid-palate shows caramel depth balanced against herbal-spicy bitterness; the 38 IBUs provide structure without overshadowing the malt. The finish is clean and warming, with spice lingering gently on the back of the tongue.

full-bodiedspicy-hoppycaramel maltbalanced bitterness

◑ Finish

The finish is medium-length with a pleasant warming quality that builds gradually. Spice and subtle molasses character persist softly, with no harsh drying sensation.

warming aftertastemedium lengthspice persistence
82
hopIQ score
Aroma
82
Taste
84
Appearance
85
Finish
80
Serve at 8–11°C

Serve at 8–11°C for the best flavour balance and aroma expression.

Pint glass

The classic — versatile, comfortable to hold and keeps the beer cool. No frills, no distractions: just the beer.

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Food Pairing

What to eat with Nutcracker

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About Winter Warmer

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Winter Warmer?

Winter Warmer is a distinctive beer style with its own characteristic flavour, aroma and colour. Discover what makes it unique and find similar beers on hopIQ.

Finding a similar Winter Warmer

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same spicy, full-bodied, spicy-hop character as Nutcracker will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

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