Weekly Online Newsletter Vol.112
‘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
Samuel Adams White Christmas: As crisp as the first snowfall of the year, this unfiltered white ale is blended with holiday spices including cinnamon, nutmeg, and orange peel. The familiar citrus and wheat characters of the ale are complemented by the warmth of the spices for a festive brew that’s perfect for the season.
5.8% ABV, 8 IBUs, 6 SRM
Summit 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 Company Roustabout Oatmeal Milk Stout (winter seasonal): This Oatmeal Milk Stout pours a beautiful, creamy black with a thick tan head that lasts in the glass. The aroma is filled with and milk chocolate character. The body is smooth and rich, with very low bitterness and a subtle sweetness from milk sugar. The flavor is dominated by chocolate and coffee notes, the beer finishes smooth, sweet, and satisfying.
5.7% ABV, 22 IBUs
Lagunitas 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 2017 Rye Ale: 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. This year’s Snowstorm is a Reddish-brown ale with hints of spicy rye and bread crust, ideally suited for brisk Northern nights!
6.0% 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
Please check with your sales person on availability and pricing (please note some products are not available in certain markets)
