Elysian Bifrost Winter Ale

I don't normally grab more than one beer from the same brewer when I put together a mix-a-six, but the Elysian Bifrost Winter Ale looked more interesting than some of the other singles.  And Elysian hasn't disappointed me yet:

Vittles:

American Pale Ale

7.6% abv

58 IBU

Score:

Appearance: 8/10

Aroma: 20/25

Taste: 34/40

Mouthfeel: 8/10

Style: 4/5

Drinkability: 8/10

Overall: 82/100

Impression:

It's got a pretty pour and decent head retention, plus the lacing it leaves as it drinks down is pleasing.  The aroma is mostly pine, spice, and fruit/citrus, with herbal, earthy, caramel, and a slight woodiness in the background.  It tastes sweet and earthy, piney, resinous, and fruity, though there is something like wet cardboard in the back.  As it warms, other earthy tones, like grass, make an appearance.  Moderate carbonation brings a bit of a sting, and the medium-light body carries a nice smoothness.  I'd prefer this kind of flavor profile during the warmer months, to be honest.

This isn't really what I think of when I hear "winter warmer," since it's basically an APA or mild AIPA, but with some "wintery" flavors.  When someone says "winter warmer" to me, I think moderately dark malt bill, dark fruit flavors, brown sugar/molasses, earthy and herbal hops... that kind of thing.  Something that you can really sink your teeth into, something that will warm you from the inside.  Elysian Bifrost Winter Ale is good, but it isn't a winter warmer.  It's some sort of Pale Ale with a scarf around its neck.

Cheers!