At 6.2% ABV, it also offers something lighter to sip during the season of indulgence. It tastes like the evergreen pines that stand up to the winter (along with a hops punch and yeasty finish). New Belgium Accumulation White IPA - Photo courtesy of New Belgium Brewing Company New Belgium Accumulation White IPAįrom the Fort Collins, Colorado brewery known for its Fat Tire Ale, Rampant IPA and refreshingly heavy Trippel, comes a winter beer as white as the falling snow. If you’re looking for a beer that evokes the spring while still keeping you warm against the cold, look no further. It’s a red ale with heavy citrus notes - though, to be fair, a bitter robust malt flavor permeates these lighter tastes, making it perfect for a snowed-in evening.
In some ways, this Portland brewery’s winter concoction goes against all the rules of the season's beers. Widmer Brothers Brrr - Photo courtesy of Widmer Brothers Brewing Widmer Brothers Brrr This year's version is thick with caramel malts and hops, making for a heavy ale that’s equally perfect for a snowy night or a warmer Southern winter. Chocolate, vanilla and cherry flavors dominate, making it a perfect dessert replacement for Death by Chocolate.Ībita Christmas Ale - Photo courtesy of Abita Brewing Abita Christmas Aleįrom the Louisiana brewery responsible for the raspberry wheat Purple Haze and the dark chocolate, award-winning Turbodog comes a dark ale that celebrates the holiday.Įach year, the brewmasters use an entirely new recipe. It’s pitch black with a creamy head that’s thick as a milkshake.
The bold, 9% ABV stout is made in the 18 th Century English style created by Brits who brewed beer for Russia’s Catherine the Great. This one’s technically not a winter beer–it’s available all year round–but there’s no better time to drink it than during a blizzard. North Coast Brewing Old Rasputin Russian Imperial Stout - Photo courtesy of North Coast Brewing Company North Coast Brewing Old Rasputin Russian Imperial Stout Don’t be fooled, though: At 7.5% ABV, it’s not as innocent as it tastes. Ginger, allspice, cinnamon and cloves flood each sip of this drinkable ale that goes perfectly with a holiday turkey, duck or ham. If you could grind winter cookies down into a beer, you’d have this Christmas ale from the prolific Cleveland brewery. Great Lakes Christmas Ale - Photo courtesy of Great Lakes Brewing Company Great Lakes Christmas Ale Most winter beers tend toward being porters or stouts, but this Portland brewery’s chilly flagship is a floral, citrusy IPA.ĭon’t be fooled–its malted barley and grapefruit rind make it more warming than refreshing, a welcome break from the dark-colored beers that tend to rule the season. Hopworks Abominable Winter Ale - Photo courtesy of Hopworks Urban Brewery Hopworks Abominable Winter Ale It’s the definition of a holiday miracle. Lagunitas rightly calls it “dangerously slammable,” as the 9.9% winter warmer’s clean mixture of hops, dates and toffee goes down as easily as plum juice. The quirky California brewery never actually meant to make Brown Shugga’.ĭuring a 1997 attempt to brew a batch of Olde GnarlyWine Ale, this strange (and delicious) mixture of brown cane sugar and cultured brewery yeast occurred. Lagunitas Brown Shugga' - Photo courtesy of Lagunitas Brewing Company Lagunitas Brown Shugga’ At 10% ABV, it’s basically a meal, but the brew tastes like chocolate graham crackers and cinnamon cakes with a hint of bourbon.īe sure to pour this one during dessert, and take it slowly–it packs quite a punch. Santa's Little Helper - Photo courtesy of Port Brewing Santa’s Little Helperĭespite its name, there’s nothing “little” about this stout.
Know that feeling of walking through the city, taking in the holiday lights, carols and joy? Imagine that feeling in a bottle, and you've got this beer. Chock-full of nutmeg and cinnamon, the ale is spicy enough to melt away the deepest snow bluffs. The Boston- and Vermont-based brewery's first foray into seasonal brews, the Winter Warmer has been a Harpoon Brewing staple since 1988. Harpoon Winter Warmer - Photo courtesy of Harpoon Brewery Harpoon Winter Warmer Here are the best brews to sip by the fire while wishing the cold away. Stouts, porters and deep copper ales replace the IPAs, pilsners and hefeweizens of spring, summer and fall. Notes like chocolate, coffee and caramel–ones we associate with warmth, like a wool blanket–are ever more prevalent.
0 kommentar(er)
