It's a Steven's Point St. Benedict's Winter

In my experience, Steven's Point makes great, very under rated beer.  And this brown St. Benedict Winter "English Strong Ale" is no exception. St. Benedict is credited as a leading figure promoting monastic life, which is kind of the way people live in colder places in winter like this.  

And maybe it bears mentioning that he died in Monte Casino, Italy, a mountain abbey, where over 54,000 American solders died beating back the German Axis Rats, who lost 20,000 troops during World War 2. 

If you type it into the magic Google machine you'll find the unsober masses at Beeradvocate.com rate the beer an 80, whereas, the Bros-- 90, no small difference of opinion. 

The beer's won 3 medals at World Beer Championships. 

I'm inclined to back the Bros on this one. 

St. Benedict on tap has a dark appearance, a nice  frothy head, but one that doesn't remain long, and no discernible aroma.   

The taste is chocolate that's well balanced against the heat from the alcohol, like a nice spicy dry brandy.... served cold.   

Mouth feel: it has a thin and dry body with a warm finish.  It's 6.2%  ABV, so not necessarily a gulping ale as I'd define one, like say your low ABV stouts, however easy it is to mistake the look of St. Benedict for one.  Some may disagree on this point, as this kind of thin, less malty, less caloric feeling or flavor is exactly what makes for gulping for some folks, however illusory (the calories, that is).  Ethanol has calories, in addition to the other way other ways it impacts the body. 

The dryness is tongue numbing, like and injecting of by the dentist. 

The Point lists the ale as noble, "cluster" hops, but you won't notice them much, but enough to bitter the malts to avoid sweetness.  The malts include: 2 row, 6 row Pilsen, roasted, aromatic, and 2 row chocolate.  

The Point's done another bang up job on this ale, even if the reviews at Ratebeer.com rates at less than half Fuller's version, and Beeradvocate.com is less glowing than seems right.  

Here's St. Benedict's tap handle, where he looks kind of wide eyed and stunned by the way the alcohol crept up on him too.  Even during Cold Winter months when it's available, contemplation has its limits, at least in public settings, where you'll find him on tap. So go slow kids.