Schell's Snowstorm (2016) Review

Name: Schell's Snowstorm (2016)
Style: English Strong Ale
ABV: 6.5%
IBUs: N/A

It's time that of the year again to look at the newest Snowstorm beer from Schell's and the timing couldn't be better because we're on track to get hit with our first major snow storm today, with estimates as high as 6 inches by tomorrow morning; Oh joy!

So what style are they laying on us this year? Last year, it was a Wallonian Brown Ale and this year it's a....British Strong Ale? At first, I couldn't believe the label but when I looked it up, sure enough, there is indeed a English Strong Ale style. And get this, according to Beer Advocate, I've had one other English Strong Ale and that was Dogfish Head's Immort Ale, though I listed it as a Strong Ale for whatever reason.

Appearance - Clear dark orange color with a very high amount of visible carbonation. The head is nice and foamy and there's tons of lacing left behind.

Aroma - Caramel and toffee malts with some light biscuit notes and floral hops. It also has a light Munich malt quality to it. It kind of reminds me of a Vienna Lager...almost.

Taste - Sweet caramel and toffee malts upfront with some surprisngly strong floral hops in the middle and back end of the palate. There's some more of that biscuit like quality to it in the back as well. Aftertaste is mostly caramel malts and light bitter hops and I'm also getting a nice warming sensation from this as well.

Schell's has given us yet another solid Snowstorm beer this year and the warming sensation I got from this beer will definitely be welcome in the coming months By itself, it's nothing exciting but it's worthy of your attention nevertheless.

Schell's Snowstorm (2016) - 8.25/10

Schell's Snowstorm (2015) Review

Name: Schell's Snowstorm (2015)
Style: Brown Ale
ABV: 6.2%
IBUs: N/A

Alright everyone, the holidays are officially here so for the next several reviews, I'll be doing pretty much all winter seasonal beers. In order to keep myself from hating winter seasonal beers as a whole, I'll be breaking up the monotony with some beers that recently became available in the marketplace. So let's do this!

First up is a beer that has become an annual tradition on this website and that is August Schell's Snowstorm. Every year when this beer is released, the style changes along with it. Last year, it was a Grand Cru/Belgian Strong Ale and this year, Schell's is returning to Belgium with a Wallonian-Style Brown Ale. Wallonia is, of course, a region in southern Belgium.

Appearance - Clear dark brown color with a high amount of visible carbonation. The head takes on a thin but foamy khaki color and the lacing left behind is mild but sticky.

Aroma - Chocolate malts, bubblegum & cotton candy notes. I'm getting some light floral hoppiness and butter toffee sweetness in here too

Taste - Strong Belgian yeasts and cloves on the front of the palate followed by some bubblegum notes. The middle of the palate possesses some solid chocolate maltiness, cotton candy and banana notes. The aftertastes consists mainly of Belgian yeasts & chocolate malts with a light floral hoppiness.

You know what, this is probably the best beer in the Snowstorm Series I've had yet. In fact, this is best beer I've had from Schell's since I had their Cave-Aged Barrel Aged Lager earlier this year. Needless to say, you absolutely need to check this out if you see this on store shelves. Since winter is just kicking off, finding this beer shouldn't be too much trouble. Cheers to the guys at Schell's for making yet another fine Snowstorm this year.

Schell's Snowstorm (2015) - 9.25/10

Schell's Snowstorm (2014 Edition) Review

Name: Schell's Snowstorm (2014 Edition)
Style: Grand Cru/Belgian Strong Ale
ABV: 6.5%

Every winter, Schell's Brewing releases their Snowstorm Ale, which changes style every year. Last year it was a Belgian Golden Ale, and now this year it is a Grand Cru; Which is a term normally used to describe wine but it's also used to describe something that has no set category. However I've seen this also described as a Belgian Strong Ale, so I will be using both terminologies in the description.

Snowstorm pours a clear dark orange color with a mild amount of visible carbonation. The head is quite fizzy at first but retains a thin foamy appearance throughout. I am not picking up on any lacing though.

The nose has a nice aroma of coriander & orange peels upfront followed by citrus hops and caramel malts in the back.

The flavor treats you to a nice mix orange peel, belgian yeasts and coriander; While the second half of the flavor is citrus hops, spices and a caramel maltiness. The flavor is surprisingly complex for what it is.

I have to say that this was quite good. I like the flavor and the overall drinkability; It's beers like this that make me look forward to the annual Snowstorm release. Be sure to pick this up while it's still in rotation

Schell's Snowstorm (2014) - 9/10

Schell's Snowstorm (2013 Edition) Review

Name: Schell's Snowstorm (2013 Edition)
Style: Belgian Ale
ABV: 7%

During the late months of the year, August Schell Brewing Company releases their annual Snowstorm beer and what's unique about this beer is that it's a different style each year. Back in 2011 it was a Scotch Ale, in 2012 a Biere de Garde and now this year it's a Golden Belgian-Style Ale.

Snowstorm (2013) pours a clear golden yellow color with a fizzy head which is quick to fade away. There is no lacing to be seen here and amount of carbonation is fairly high.

The aroma has a strong clove scent to it along with some pepper, spices, yeasts, bubblegum and pale malt notes.

The taste is a bit maltier with some bubblegum, yeasts, cloves, pale malts and a mild caramel sweetness.

The palate is moderately weighted with some stronger carbonation. It's kind of crisp but this would be better if the carbonation was more subdued.

Even though the 2011 edition of Snowstorm is still my favorite, this is still pretty good and a solid Belgian-Style Golden ale overall. I would say this is worth picking up a sixer because even if it isn't perfect, it's still a great winter seasonal!


Schell's Snowstorm (2013 Edition) - 8.5/10