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Einstök Winter Ale

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Einstök's limited winter seasonal — brewed with hand-cut and whisky-cured spruce tips and smoked Icelandic barley. Woody spruce aromatics, subtle smoke and a warming whisky-tinged finish. Released each winter as Iceland embraces the darkness — the ideal companion for sagas of conquest and survival during the harsh Icelandic winter months.

ABV
6%
Bitterness
Noticeably bitter
Resinous hop bitterness
SRM
amber14
PaceA Few
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
smokypineyherbal
smoky
piney
herbal
spicy
toasty
earthy
Aroma
The nose is dominated by distinctive woody spruce notes derived from the hand-cut tips, immediately evoking Icelandic forests and Nordic tradition.
also:bready,malty
not found:hoppy,caramel,fruity,vanilla

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Einstök Winter Ale

◎ Appearance

Deep amber to copper hue characteristic of the smoked barley base, presenting a rich and inviting color. The beer displays excellent clarity with a creamy, tan head that demonstrates solid retention. Fine carbonation creates an elegant visual presentation befitting a winter seasonal.

deep ambercopper-huedcreamy headclear

◌ Aroma

The nose is dominated by distinctive woody spruce notes derived from the hand-cut tips, immediately evoking Icelandic forests and Nordic tradition. Subtle smoke from the barley weaves beneath, complemented by whisky-barrel warmth and hints of cinnamon and clove spice. Complex and inviting, the aromatics promise a sophisticated sipping experience.

woody sprucesmoked barleywhisky warmthspiced

◐ Taste

Entry is smooth and malty with caramel sweetness that grounds the palate. Mid-palate develops layered spice character—cinnamon and clove prominence—while the smoked barley and whisky cask influence create toasty, earthy complexity. The moderate 22 IBU bitterness provides gentle balance without overshadowing the intricate spice profile.

malty-sweetwarming spicestoasty-earthycomplex

◑ Finish

The finish is warming and lingering, with the whisky influence extending pleasantly into the aftertaste. Spice notes persist gracefully while the smoke fades to a subtle backdrop, leaving a sophisticated and memorable conclusion.

warminglingering spicewhisky-tinged
84
hopIQ score
Aroma
86
Taste
85
Appearance
82
Finish
83
Serve at 7–10°C

Serve at 7–10°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 Einstök Winter Ale

More from Einstök Ölgerð

Einstök Arctic Berry Ale
Einstök Arctic Lager
Einstök Arctic Pale Ale
Einstök Doppelbock
Einstök Toasted Porter
Einstök Wee Heavy
Einstök Wee Heavy
Scottish Ale
8% · 20 IBU
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Einstök White Ale

About Spiced Ale

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Spiced Ale?

Spiced Ale 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 Spiced Ale

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same smoky, piney, herbal character as Einstök Winter Ale will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

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