This collaborative effort between Wild Rose Brewery and Ribstone Creek Brewery came about because the brewers and sales teams at each respective brewery knew each other well and had great respect for the quality standards and authenticity that each stands behind. The breweries wanted to produce a winter warmer without getting into the spice and nutmeg profiles that are most often associated with these styles. They tried a few test batches of strong ale and finally came together on this delicious strong English style ale. A largely malty beer that is a perfect winter sipper when you want to steer clear of the heavily spiced warmers.

This beer pours a clear, bright and medium bronzed amber colour with one finger of puffy, loose beige head dissipating to leave some decent coral lacing. Smells of bready caramel malt, biscuit toffee and muddled orchard fruit. Some earthy yeastiness comes through with leafy notes of floral green hops. Bready and doughy caramel malt lead the palate, fol- lowed by some toffee melded with overripe apples and pears, and a hint of citrus. Yeast profiles shine through with some herbal, grassy and floral hoppiness rounding out the flavour. The medium-bodied beer has some slight creaminess and finishes smooth and off-dry.