hopIQ
ENDE
Build your DNASign in

Winter Ale

Tap to rate

A deep mahogany-red strong ale with Christmas cake, black treacle and vine fruit aromas, and a balance of malty sweetness and hoppy bitterness. It is a seasonal brew at 6.5 % ABV, and it took Gold at the European Beer Challenge in 2026. The brewery was founded in 1996 beside St. Peter's Hall in Suffolk, a building whose oldest part dates from around 1280.

ABV
6.5%
Bitterness
Noticeably bitter
Malt-forward bitterness
SRM
deep amber15
PaceTwo or Three

AWARDS

Gold · 2026
European Beer Challenge
★Gold — European Beer Challenge
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
hoppymaltydark fruit
hoppy
malty
dark fruit
caramel
Aroma
Complex and inviting bouquet dominated by Christmas cake spice and black treacle notes, with pronounced dark fruit esters—dried plum, raisin, and fig—supported by a subtle floral hop character.
not found:juicy,roasted,fruity,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Winter Ale

◎ Appearance

Deep mahogany-red hue with excellent clarity and a dense, persistent head that clings to the glass with fine lacing. The carbonation is moderate and well-integrated, supporting a stable foam collar that gradually diminishes to a thin ring.

mahogany-redclearpersistent headfine lacing

◌ Aroma

Complex and inviting bouquet dominated by Christmas cake spice and black treacle notes, with pronounced dark fruit esters—dried plum, raisin, and fig—supported by a subtle floral hop character. The malt foundation is substantial but not cloying, allowing secondary notes of caramel and subtle wood to emerge.

Christmas spiceblack treacledried dark fruitfloral hops

◐ Taste

The palate opens with rich malty sweetness that balances seamlessly against a clean, measured bitterness. Mid-palate reveals layers of caramel, vine fruit compote, and a gentle warmth from the 6.5% ABV, while the noble hop profile provides structure without dominating the malt-forward character.

malt-forwardbalanced bitternesscaramel notesvine fruit

◑ Finish

The finish is warm and lingering, with residual sweetness and a dry hoppy bite that persists on the palate. A subtle boozy warmth fades gradually, leaving a satisfying malty aftertaste with gentle bitter notes.

warm finishlingering sweetnessdry hop bite
85
hopIQ score
Aroma
88
Taste
86
Appearance
84
Finish
82
Serve at 12–16°C

Serve at 12–16°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.

+ Sign in to add your tasting note

Food Pairing

What to eat with Winter Ale

More from St. Peter's Brewery

Best Bitter
Best Bitter
Best Bitter
3.7%·Noticeably bitter
Find matches →
Christmas Ale
Christmas Ale
Strong Ale
7%·Noticeably bitter
Find matches →
Citrus Beer
Citrus Beer
Fruit Beer
4.7%·Mild
Find matches →
Crafted Black IPA
Crafted Black IPA
Black IPA
7%·Strongly bitter
Find matches →
Cream Stout
Cream Stout
Stout
6.5%·Noticeably bitter
Find matches →
Farmers' Flagon
Farmers' Flagon
Amber Ale
4.3%·Noticeably bitter
Find matches →
G-Free
G-Free
Pale Ale
4.2%·Noticeably bitter
Find matches →
Gluten Free Cream Stout
Gluten Free Cream Stout
Stout
6.5%·Noticeably bitter
Find matches →

About Strong Ale

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Strong Ale?

Strong 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 Strong Ale

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

Compare with another beer →