What’s Brewing Bergseth Bros.
Weekly Online Newsletter Vol.160
‘Tis the season for winter warmers – beers released around Christmas time for sipping over the cold months ahead.
A few of these beers might satisfy your Christmas cookie cravings; they have hints of oatmeal and nutmeg, cinnamon and ginger, others are toasty and dark with a bit of smokiness. However, most are simply well-made ales with rich malty flavors and enough alcohol to warm you up. There are quite a few winners here – I hate to remind you and myself, but winter is just beginning, and a few of these beers might help us make it through the long winter ahead.
Samuel Adams Winter Lager
German brewers may have been on to something centuries ago when they created bold, rich bock beers for the winter. For our beer, we brewed a dark wheat bock subtly spiced with fresh ground cinnamon, ginger & orange peel for a deep, smooth flavor and malty finish that will warm you on a cold winter’s night.
5.6% ABV, 22 IBUs, 25 SRM
Blue Moon Brewing Co. Winter Wheat Abbey Ale
Warm up to winter with Blue Moon’s special new seasonal beer Winter Wheat. This spiced abbey ale is perfect to bring to any holiday occasion.
5.9% ABV
Summit Brewing Co. Winter Ale
One taste and it’s easy to see why the Brits call this style Winter Warmer. Nutty, roasted malt flavor with hints of coffee, caramel, cocoa and a dash of hop spice.
6.5% ABV, 40 IBUs, 54 SRM
Fargo Brewing Co. Masala Wala Winter Warmer
Masala chai spiced winter warmer. Malty and slightly sweet with a nice warming sensation from the masala chai spices.
6.1% ABV, 62 IBs
Bell’s Winter White Ale
An alternative to dark and heavy winter warmers and stouts, Winter White is a stylish and refreshing Wheat Ale. Fermented with a Belgian ale yeast, this blend of barley and wheat malts yields a mixture of clove and fruity aromas, all without the use of any spices. Deliberately brewed to retain a cloudy appearance, Winter White is a beer for embracing winter.
5.0% ABV 20 IBUs
Bell’s Christmas Scotch Ale
Inspired stylistically by traditional non-peated Scotch Ales, Christmas Ale is rich and malty with notes of caramel and a warm finish. Certain to make any occasion festive, or at least a bit more bearable. Enjoy with the company of friends and family.
7.5% ABV, 35 IBUs
Lagunitas Brewing CO. Brown Shugga’
Our winter seasonal that falls into the realm of “Dangerously Slammable”, this brew is especially irresponsible. We believe this Special Ale is Something Unique. Feeding Brown Cane Sugar to otherwise Cultured Brewery Yeast is a’kin to feeding Raw Shark to your Gerbil. It is unlikely to ever occur in nature without Human Intervention. And it looks weird besides. But it has happened and now it’s too Late.
9.9% ABV 51 IBUs
Odell Isolation Ale
A funny thing happens here around summer’s end—our eyes start searching the skies for those first fall flakes. As we welcome autumn’s first snow, we celebrate the return of Isolation Ale—a sweet-caramel malty ale balanced by a subtle crisp hop finish. Whether you ski, shred, or shoe, it’ll inspire you to make first tracks.
6.1% ABV, 29 IBUs
Schell Snowstorm Speciale Belge
As ever y Midwesterner knows, no two Snowstorms are ever alike. As an homage to the uniqueness of our Northern climate, we celebrate the start of every winter with a unique Snowstorm of our own, a one-of-a-kind limited edition brew.
7.6% ABV
Empyrean Winter Wisdom Hazelnut Brown Ale
Wise up. Look deep within this brown ale to breathe in caramel aromas, taste hints of roasted hazelnuts and find a smooth, creamy finish. Best paired with old friends, festive tunes and New Year’s Resolutions. Also great with beef, grilled vegetables, Southwest flavors and caramel desserts.
5.3% ABV, 18 IBUs
CHEERS!