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Old Man Winter Ale

Smithers Brewing Company
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🌍 Canada · Wee Heavy · One of 1 Wee Heavys in hopIQ

The winter entry in the brewery's Skeena seasonal series, a Scottish-style wee heavy. Caramelised sugar and toffee carry it, with toasted bread and a dark-fruit edge behind them, and the malt stays sweet rather than roasty right through to the finish. At 7.8 percent the body is thick and warming, and the hops do little more than keep the sweetness in check. Label art by Roy Henry Vickers.

ABV
7.8%
Bitterness
Noticeably bitter
Malt-forward bitterness
SRM
dark22

AWARDS

Silver · 2025
Canadian Brewing Awards
Scotch Ale
Silver — Canadian Brewing Awards (Scotch Ale)
How it drinks· Its pace, balance and relationship to the style.
Pace
sessionsipper
Balance
malt-ledhop-led
Taste structure· The backbone of the beer, regardless of style.
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
hopIQ take

Full body.

The weight carries the beer on its own, leaving the aromatics free to lead.

Wider bands mean we're less certain about the exact position.
Character· What makes this beer itself — not just another Wee Heavy.
Malt character
caramel
toasty
malty
Distinctive notes
dark fruit
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Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Old Man Winter Ale

Appearance

Deep amber to brown with an SRM of 22, presenting a clear, bright body that catches light with warm copper tones. The head forms dense and persistent, clinging to the glass in fine lacing as the beer settles. Carbonation appears moderate and well-integrated, appropriate to the style.

deep amber-brownclear, brightpersistent head

Aroma

The nose leads with caramelized sugar and toffee, underpinned by a toasted bread character that suggests careful malt handling. Dark fruit notes—plum and dried cherry—emerge beneath the sweetness, while a gentle alcohol warmth rounds the profile without dominating. Hop presence is restrained, allowing the malt complexity to breathe.

caramel, toffeetoasted breaddark fruitwarming alcohol

Taste

Entry is full and sweet, with caramel and toffee flavors establishing immediate presence on the palate. The mid-palate holds a toasted, bread-like malt character with glimpses of dark fruit, while residual sweetness persists throughout. Hop bitterness arrives late and subtle, sufficient only to prevent cloying but never strident; at 7.8% ABV, the alcohol registers as gentle warmth rather than harshness.

thick, full bodycaramel-forwardmuted bitternesswarming mouthfeel

Finish

The aftertaste lingers with lingering toffee and malt sweetness, fading gradually into a soft, warming alcohol note. The finish is smooth rather than dry, leaving the palate coated and satisfied.

sweet, lingeringsmooth fade
82
hopIQ score
Aroma
85
Taste
84
Appearance
80
Finish
78
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Serve & Enjoy

How to get the most out of Old Man Winter Ale

Serve at 12–16°C
Refrigerate, then rest 2 min

Serve at 12–16°C for the best flavour balance and aroma expression.

Pint glass
Recommended for this style

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

Store in a cool, dark place. Check the best-before date on the label for guidance.

Food Pairing

What to eat with Old Man Winter Ale

About Wee Heavy

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Wee Heavy?

Wee Heavy 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 Wee Heavy

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

WHERE TO BUY

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