It’s taken me awhile, but I’ve finally finished the last of my fall seasonal selection that so beautifully stocked my fridge. From a six of Saranac Pumpkin to the old standard Sam Adams Oktoberfest (and a bunch more which I can’t immediately remember), I was in full-bodied, hop-filled heaven all autumn.
But now, I must restock and reload for what appears to be a long (and gross here in DC – nothing like 38 degrees and rain) winter. I need suggestions. I have staples which I will undoubtedly go back to (Sam Adams Winter Lager and the Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale, yumm), but I need more. Give me some suggestions, and after a few weeks (probably early January), I’ll come back with a review of this winter’s beers.
Drink up! (just not Rolling Rock, yuck)
(h/t to the MexFiles)
1 Brendan // Dec 18, 2007 at 03:19 PM
The Harpoon Winter Warmer is my favorite winter beer. Simply put, it tastes like a gingerbread man and is best very cold out of the bottle.
Also, Young’s Double Chocolate Stout, which not a seasonal, is another great winter beer. Its the best chocolate-flavored beer i’ve had.
2 Mike W // Dec 18, 2007 at 03:24 PM
Chocolate and gingerbread, eh? You have taste buds like a 5 year old, haha.
But regardless, I will try both of these. I love everything Harpoon does, so I am sure I’ll like the Winter Warmer (I can’t believe I haven’t had it yet).
3 Jason // Dec 18, 2007 at 03:29 PM
Unibroue makes excellent beers, I adore La Fin Du Monde.
If you can, try to track down a barleywine, they are very nice and warming in the winter. Just don’t try to drive after you’ve had one.
I’m a big fan of Dogfish Head. They have a limited edition beer, Fort, which I haven’t had a chance to try yet - but it looks very good. It has raspberries, so Brendan would love it.
4 Longhorn420 // Dec 18, 2007 at 03:56 PM
My favorite beer for winter is Aventinus, it is a wheat dopplebock and at around 8.2% alcohol it packs enough punch to keep you warm through the cold months. They also have a limited edition eisbock made from the aventinus that is ~12% and the bottles are numbered. If you are lucky enough to get either of these in your area, you will not be disappointed. I have to drive out of state to get either one. -LH420
5 Thomas // Dec 18, 2007 at 04:14 PM
Troegs Mad Elf is my new favorite. Delicious and 11% ABV. http://www.troegs.com/mad_elf.htm
6 dissaver // Dec 18, 2007 at 05:17 PM
bell’s expedition stout…immaculate!
http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/bells-expedition-stout/3214/
7 andrew // Dec 19, 2007 at 11:22 AM
I’ve got a few favorite winter beers, but generally find that it’s one of the best seasons for microbrews (personally, I think most Oktoberfest brews are way overrated).
To start simple, you really can’t go wrong with a standard like Sam Adams Winter Lager, which is just hearty enough to keep you warm for the walk home from the bar, but doesn’t resort to lame flavor tricks (like the spices forced into the Harpoon Winter Warmer mentioned above).
Another that I love is the Smuttynose Winter Ale. In fact, I don’t think I’ve ever had a Smuttynose that I didn’t like. Probably because there’s nothing else to do in New Hampshire but sit outside and drink.
Last, I had a Winter Bourbon Cask Ale at my local bar last night (Bar-BQ in south park slope…check it out if you’re in the area), which blew my mind. It tastes like it’s got some roasted vanilla and some obvious bourbon-style smokiness and woodiness. Delicious shit. Some internet research leads me to believe it’s an Anheuser-Busch product, but it’s pretty enjoyable nonetheless.
I’ll recommend some more if i can think of them.