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Winter Warmer

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The subtle sweetness of caramel malt meets holiday spice additions of cinnamon and nutmeg in this spiced ale, hardy yet surprisingly easy-drinking at 6.0% ABV and 23 IBU. Harpoon introduced it in 1988, and it became the beer synonymous with the New England winter and the brewery's most anticipated seasonal.

ABV
6%
Bitterness
Lightly bitter23 IBU
Malt-forward bitterness
SRM
amber12
PaceTwo or Three
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
spicycaramelmalty
spicy
caramel
malty
Aroma
The nose leads with warm cinnamon and nutmeg spice, complemented by a rich caramel malt sweetness underneath.
not found:hoppy,roasted,fruity,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Winter Warmer

◎ Appearance

Deep amber to copper hue with excellent clarity and a fine, persistent head. The beer presents a warm, inviting color that catches light with subtle transparency. Carbonation is moderate and steady, lending a refined visual presence without excessive effervescence.

deep amberclearpersistent headmoderate carbonation

◌ Aroma

The nose leads with warm cinnamon and nutmeg spice, complemented by a rich caramel malt sweetness underneath. There is no aggressive hop presence, allowing the holiday spice blend and toasted malt character to develop cleanly. The overall aromatic profile is inviting and rounded, with subtle warming notes that suggest both spice and depth.

cinnamon, nutmegcaramel maltspiced holidaywarm

◐ Taste

On the palate, caramel malt and spice work in concert, delivering a well-integrated sweetness that never cloys. The mouthfeel is surprisingly light for the style, with a smooth, clean character and low bitterness (23 IBU) that permits the malt and spice to dominate. Mid-palate shows depth from the full body, while the finish remains approachable and balanced.

caramel-forwardintegrated spicesmooth-drinkinglow bitterness

◑ Finish

The finish is warm and lingering without harshness, with residual sweetness and spice notes fading gradually. A subtle drying sensation balances the residual malt sweetness, leaving the palate satisfied rather than cloyed.

warm, lingeringbalanced fade
78
hopIQ score
Aroma
78
Taste
80
Appearance
76
Finish
76
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 Winter Warmer

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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 spicy, caramel, smooth-drinking character as Winter Warmer will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

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