Why we picked it: A winter seasonal from a semi-local brewery (Salisbury, MD) that we had not tried yet.
About Evolution's Secret Spot: Our winter seasonal is a nod to the classic altbiers of Dusseldorf. A full, toasty malt profile is countered by generous additions of German Hops. Well balanced but assertively hopped, this complex but approachable beer is ideal for shaking off the chill of winter.
Beer Advocate Score: 82 pts
ABV: 6.3%
IBU: 40
OG: 15
Hops: Tettnang, Halletaur
Malt: Pale, Pilsner, Caramunich, Munich
Case Cost: $37
*website: http://evolutioncraftbrewing.com/BreweryTastingRoom/Beers.aspx
Up late, so why not knock out beer número 3. When I heard "Sectet Spot" I was naturally intrigued, b/c who isn't still looking for that. This beer is like a light Fuller's ESB.
ReplyDeleteDoes the secret spot really exist?
ReplyDeleteStill looking - I can tell you where its not.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeletePoured this into a glass. I like the color and like the smell. First taste is a little different than what I was expecting...not bad though. Second taste reminds me of Bell's Christmas ale which we will have later in the month. I can taste the malt up front. About half way through this now and I'm liking it. I think this is a solid winter beer. 6.3% ABV is not bad either. I would probably pick up a sixer of this if given the chance. Grade 7.5 of 10, B-
ReplyDeleteThis is quite nice. Went well with dinner and cookies. Check minus because I wouldn't buy this again on my own, but I am glad I tried it.
ReplyDeleteNot bad, but not notable. I drank it by itself, but I'm wondering if my opinion of it might be different if I had had it with dinner.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite of the 3 so far...never heard of it. Nice find.
ReplyDeleteDelicious! Everything a standard winter beer should be. Nothing flashy but it gets the job done. This gets a B. I wouldn't go out of my way to find this again but would definitely pick up a 6 if nothing more interesting is around.
ReplyDeleteFinally a beer with a copper color just like I love my women. So I was excited to open it up and have a taste; just like my women. And this beer did not disappoint; just like well you get the picture. This beer was full of flavor and body with no bitter after taste. If this were a women, then I would definitely peek under the hood, and being totally satisfied continue around the bases with a stand up triple. I was hoping for a HR but a stand up triple is always a nice night out when you are single.
ReplyDeleteBetween the color and the smell it had a lot of promise. My initial thought when I smelled it was that of a mellow cigar - really nice (at least to me). Taste was good, slightly bitter, but not overwhelming, good or bad. Overall I would have expected stronger notes (of anything) based on the color but they weren't really there. Not bad, just no winner yet....
ReplyDeleteNot a fan. It leaves a bad taste in my mouth... much like its home state. C-
ReplyDeleteI agree with Cassandra.....bad after taste. Does not make the cut.
DeleteYeah this beer sucks and so does MD
DeleteBS
Not really sure what this beer was trying to be. It claimed to be a winter ale but it didn't exhibit any bold caramel flavors or spicy notes. Here's what I got: not much of a nose of any sort, a water taste initially, then it slid into a Bud Heavy breadiness and finally left me with an aspirin aftertaste. Non of the flavors were particularly potent (especially the water part) but the overall effect was quite disastrous. D+. Anything less than a C- gets the drain; I guess that's what they meant by the Secret Spot.
ReplyDeleteI'm a big fan of Evolution and have not had this one before, so I was really looking forward to it. After reading that it was meant to be like an altbier, I was hoping this meant it wasn't spiced like winter ales can be. So, I was happily surprised to find that it's a nicely balanced malt forward beer with a nice little earthy bite on the tail end. I will by this again - hopefully in the form of a growler filled at the source.
ReplyDeleteIts a pretty interesting beer. My first sip tasted full like a dark lager. But the next few sips felt like I was drinking a Irish red. I did enjoy this and wouldn't turn this beer if it was offered to me but not sold on seeking it out on purpose. The 6.5% ABV was added bonus.
ReplyDelete"Within your heart keep one still secret spot where dreams may go"
ReplyDeleteSomeone said that, according to The Google. The dream in my heart was for a different beer. I just wasn't feeling this. It seemed fairly ordinary compared to other seasonals of similar design.
During my extensive Internet search, I found a few other quotes about a "secret spot". Unfortunately, I don't think they translate well without to accompanying pictures.
I had not heard of this beer or brewer. Seeing it was from Salisbury, I hoped that it would represent Maryland well. I thought it was a bit disappointing. I liked the initial taste but I did not think there was much after that. I usually like winter ales but this was just okay.
ReplyDeleteI am a huge fan of the double entendre that seems pervasive in the naming of craft beers. So, this one, just based on the name, definitely intrigued me. In fact, it immediately reminded me of the paper shed where in sixth grade we used to try to get girls to kiss us. While that didn't work too well for me, this beer did.
ReplyDeleteI am not a big fan of hoppy beers. For me, "Secret Spot" was just the right blend of taste and hoppiness. I was a little worried with the initial pour because my glass was freaky out with carbonation. Luckily, this brew calmed down and delivered a smooth taste with just a bit of hoppy flavor. Plus, it finished really well, although I can still taste it an hour later.
I could see myself enjoying this brew after a long day of shredding--whether that be the slopes or the Beltway traffic. I only worry that after four or five the people I am with might be looking for my "Secret spot."
Ah yes - Salisbury, MD home to some of the greatest snowboarding on the planet. The label makes total sense. I'm not a huge fan of ales or an expert on them but this tasted to me like your standard ale. So not my cup of tea it but after drinking that sweet pumpkin ale and then throwing back a few WGB's this beer will have contributed to a solid buzz. Grade: Mark Belanger.
ReplyDeleteAs a fan of Evolution and a generally a fan of altbier, I was looking forward to this and I was generally pleased. A little bite, but a nice malty finish and solid aftertaste. I wasn't wowed, but its a good solid winter and I could easily have another.
ReplyDeleteI was pretty excited to have a Maryland beer based on the Virginia-centric beers that we usually end up with. Although I often forget that Salisbury is actually part of Maryland and not just Western Delaware. Not sure this beer is the best representation for my adopted state. I'll hold out for Fredneck based beers that we stole from Colorado.
ReplyDeleteEvolution is all over my local beer stores but I've never tried most of them. They all look the same. I'd had the IPA once and found it pretty bland. This beer was malty and fine with only a mildly offensive aftertaste (possibly still yesterday's honey bunnies). I'm not sure what makes it a "winter ale." Definitely not bad, but nothing special that makes me want to run out and buy a keg. Solid B- in my ambiguous and always changing grading system.
Brew No. 3, just the way i like it - on the darker side, on the tastier side, not too hoppy. Oh, and served in a bottle. And to think, a case of this brew costs less than a case of Brew No. 2. D.C. United brew. Hello?
ReplyDeleteFirst impression...kinda disappointing for a winter ale. Midpoint impression...I'm kinda enjoying this. Last Sip...I really wish I had another! I expect bold malty flavors and spice notes in a winter brew...this one had them but it was well balanced and not overpowering like most. I give Evo props for not going overboard and creating an imminently drinkable beer that is well balanced and delicious. It is reminiscent of a brown ale with more character and body (and who doesn't love a good body).
ReplyDeleteI will find another 12 pack of this and drink it through the winter months. Really like this one
Shift work sucks.
ReplyDeleteHere I am getting home at 6 in the morning after working 12 hours, and having to chug yesterday's beer before I go to sleep. ...wait, that's actually not so bad.
So I was excited by the look of this one. Immediately it conjured up excitement for my upcoming ski trip--what with the snowboarder on the label. (Love all the "Secret Spot" double entrendres--this is my kinda crowd. Is the secret spot where the snowboarder boards? Or is the secret spot where he's touching his board? Yeah... Now that I put it that way, if you look at the picture, it's kinda disturbing.)
First sip seemed like we were heading in the right direction. Had some meat to it, seemed to go along with the winter claim. But then, the more I drank, the more tinny it tasted. Kinda can't get that tin taste out of my mouth. So while it started strong, in the end, something is just off with this beer. I shoulda realized something would be wrong when I discovered where the brewery was. So while at first I thought we were heading in the right direction, it turns out we were only heading to Salisbury. What does the eastern shore know about snow boarding?
Answer: about as much as this brewery knows about a good winter ale.
I always look forward to the spicy winter ales… this was a bit over carbonated when opened (nope, I didn't shake it first :) ) and the taste seemed a bit oxidized (cardboard-like) on initial sip. It did settle down and ended up being an okay beer, the flavor being a bit muted. I do prefer a bit more prominence in the flavors and this was more middle of the road.
ReplyDelete"Would accept another"
Missing comments are in that Secret Spot........like the flavor of this beer.
ReplyDeleteI do like dark Winter beers, but prefer lagers. This one left me a little flat, but I didn't hate it.
ReplyDeleteI did not favor this one. It left an astringent taste. I drank it slow and as it warmed up it was still there.
ReplyDeleteI've got another reason to stay away from Maryland after trying this beer.
ReplyDeletePreach it brother!
DeleteBS
Some malt, but overall just kind of lacking *face-plant*
ReplyDeleteDislike... has a metalic taste to it. Doesn't taste sweet or hit the spot.
ReplyDeleteDrinkable, but lacking some of the stronger winters flavours that I was hoping for in that secret spot. B-
ReplyDeleteI wasn't blown away by this beer, but I still enjoyed it. Overall a good tasting winter ale that I would drink again.
ReplyDeleteLate to the party here.
ReplyDeleteI wasn't a big fan of this one. Too bitter.
I couldn't get past the whole Salisbury MD/snowboarder thing. Decent beer but kinda bitter. I'll pass
ReplyDeleteI didn't like this beer. It tasted like bitter cold. I'm not a fan of either.
ReplyDelete