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Author Topic:   Winter Beers
Loudmouth
Inactive Member


Message 1 of 22 (164662)
12-02-2004 1:17 PM


Now that Octoberfest has died down, it is time to focus on those yummy winter beers. Anybody have a favorite or recommendations?
A few of my personal faves: Anchor Christmas Ale (for sipping), Pyramid Snow Cap, Sierra Nevada Celebration, and Sierra Nevada Bigfoot (barley wine, definitely a sipper). Although it isn't a true winter beer, a cellar temp Guiness with a thick, hot stew and toasted sourdough is one of my favorite winter time dinners.

Replies to this message:
 Message 2 by MrHambre, posted 12-02-2004 1:51 PM Loudmouth has replied

  
MrHambre
Member (Idle past 1383 days)
Posts: 1495
From: Framingham, MA, USA
Joined: 06-23-2003


Message 2 of 22 (164667)
12-02-2004 1:51 PM
Reply to: Message 1 by Loudmouth
12-02-2004 1:17 PM


I'll Have a Brew Xmas
My favorite is an offering of Shipyard (of Portland, Maine), their Longfellow Winter Ale. Though cursed with a lavender label bearing the homely mug of Portland's favorite son, it's a delicious, rich black Winter ale. I haven't seen it on offer for a while, so maybe it's been replaced by their strong Prelude Winter Ale, also a cold-weather fave.
Catamount, the recently defunct Vermont brewery, used to brew a fantastic Christmas Ale. I used to buy a case of it every winter. On one leaf-peeping tour through White River Junction years ago, I stopped at the brewery and the only person there was the guy who was transferring their just-fermented Xmas brew to the conditioning tanks. He gave me a preview taste of the unfiltered, uncarbonated product.
Portland, Maine's other great brewery, D.L. Geary's, makes a rich Hampshire Special Ale which used to be "only available while the weather sucks." Now it's available year-round. No guarantees on the weather.
regards,
Esteban Hambre

This message is a reply to:
 Message 1 by Loudmouth, posted 12-02-2004 1:17 PM Loudmouth has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 3 by Loudmouth, posted 12-02-2004 2:35 PM MrHambre has replied

  
Loudmouth
Inactive Member


Message 3 of 22 (164672)
12-02-2004 2:35 PM
Reply to: Message 2 by MrHambre
12-02-2004 1:51 PM


Re: I'll Have a Brew Xmas
I have always wished that East coast micros would become available here in the West. It's great that each coast has it's own styles and preferences, but it would be nice to get a few Right Coast beers here on the Left Coast. We have great breweries here in the West, such as Deschutes (my personal favorite), but it would be nice to get some new beers to break the monotony. The thing that bugs me most about local NW breweries is the use of NW hops which tend to be overly citrusy. A few of the local winters, like Celebration from SN and Jubel from Deschutes, are quite hoppy, and unfortunately too citrusy at times.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 2 by MrHambre, posted 12-02-2004 1:51 PM MrHambre has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 7 by MrHambre, posted 12-02-2004 4:25 PM Loudmouth has not replied
 Message 11 by lfen, posted 12-02-2004 10:37 PM Loudmouth has replied

  
crashfrog
Member (Idle past 1457 days)
Posts: 19762
From: Silver Spring, MD
Joined: 03-20-2003


Message 4 of 22 (164673)
12-02-2004 2:46 PM


What would you guys say really typifies a winter beer?

Replies to this message:
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Loudmouth
Inactive Member


Message 5 of 22 (164674)
12-02-2004 3:00 PM
Reply to: Message 4 by crashfrog
12-02-2004 2:46 PM


A sweet, heavy, dark beer. It should be similar to a porter, but with less nuttiness. They should have a higher alcohol content, not so much for the alcohol itself but as a result of a higher sugar content before fermentation. Sweet malt flavor is usually first and foremost. I don't know if you get Pyramid beer in the Midwest, but their Snow Cap is a perfect example of this style. Some winter beers are closer to ales in color and taste, with more of an emphasis on malt than a normal ale but still hopped like a normal ale. These would include Sierra Nevada's Celebration Ale, and IIRC it is sold nationwide. Mostly it comes down to beers that are too heavy to enjoy during the summer, but are great for sipping next to the fire. Imperial Stouts and Barley Wines are not classified as winter beers, but they are also great for sipping. They are very heavy, and usually have 8% alcohol or above (12.5% in the case of some barley wines). They are meant to be drank at 50 degrees F, so make sure and let them set out for about 15 minutes before drinking.
Christmas ales are a subset of heavy winter ales, and they are similar but include extra flavoring such as pumpkin, anise, orange rind, etc. Think of them as hot apple cider but with beer instead of cider. Anchor's Christmas Ale is one of the most famous here in the west, not sure if it gets a nationwide release.

This message is a reply to:
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Replies to this message:
 Message 6 by nator, posted 12-02-2004 3:24 PM Loudmouth has not replied

  
nator
Member (Idle past 2160 days)
Posts: 12961
From: Ann Arbor
Joined: 12-09-2001


Message 6 of 22 (164678)
12-02-2004 3:24 PM
Reply to: Message 5 by Loudmouth
12-02-2004 3:00 PM


Sprecher's makes a heavy beer but the name escapes me right now.
It's really good.
This message has been edited by schrafinator, 12-02-2004 03:24 PM

This message is a reply to:
 Message 5 by Loudmouth, posted 12-02-2004 3:00 PM Loudmouth has not replied

  
MrHambre
Member (Idle past 1383 days)
Posts: 1495
From: Framingham, MA, USA
Joined: 06-23-2003


Message 7 of 22 (164694)
12-02-2004 4:25 PM
Reply to: Message 3 by Loudmouth
12-02-2004 2:35 PM


East Your Heart Out
Loudmouth,
If it's any consolation, I miss getting that Pyramid winter brew you mentioned. Nowadays the Widmer Hefeweizen is common here in Massachusetts, but we no longer get the Pyramid stuff we used to love. Anchor's Xmas Ale is always a spicy treat, though I'm not always in the mood for such a fragrant beer. Boston's Harpoon brewery always makes a spiced Winter Warmer that can sometimes taste like a pint of perfume.
Vermont's Long Trail brewery has a winter offering aptly named Hibernator, brewed with six malts and spiked with honey. It's one of the stronger winter brews in the area. Otter Creek's Winter's Ale is a rich brown ale that's brewed in the same state, but won't put you in the same state, as the Hibernator.
regards,
Esteban Hambre

This message is a reply to:
 Message 3 by Loudmouth, posted 12-02-2004 2:35 PM Loudmouth has not replied

Replies to this message:
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jar
Member (Idle past 384 days)
Posts: 34026
From: Texas!!
Joined: 04-20-2004


Message 8 of 22 (164725)
12-02-2004 5:10 PM
Reply to: Message 7 by MrHambre
12-02-2004 4:25 PM


Re: East Your Heart Out
I realize that simply posting a Link is a violation of forum policy and rules. Therefore I have added additional comment.
Enjoy. Dedicated to one of my favorite Saints, St. Attila of Bombastic Memory.

Aslan is not a Tame Lion

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SoulSlay
Member (Idle past 5601 days)
Posts: 44
From: billy's puddle, BC
Joined: 10-26-2004


Message 9 of 22 (164726)
12-02-2004 5:10 PM


I'm not a big beer drinker (underage and whatnot) but does anybody know why eggnog is only sold around Christmas?

Replies to this message:
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macaroniandcheese 
Suspended Member (Idle past 3918 days)
Posts: 4258
Joined: 05-24-2004


Message 10 of 22 (164769)
12-02-2004 10:34 PM


i had a nice christmas ale at mcguires ip in pensacola last week. ginger cinnamon and i think cloves added to this treat. maybe a few more things i don't remember.

  
lfen
Member (Idle past 4667 days)
Posts: 2189
From: Oregon
Joined: 06-24-2004


Message 11 of 22 (164770)
12-02-2004 10:37 PM
Reply to: Message 3 by Loudmouth
12-02-2004 2:35 PM


Full Sail Wassail is the best on a cold winter night!
I keep hearing that Deschutes brews a different Jubel Ale each year. When I lived in that part of the state drinking the draft of their seasonal ales was incredible.
When it comes to bottled brews my favorite brewery, which is now employee owned, is Full Sail. Has it been a decade I've been drinking their Wassail each winter? This is my favorite beer. It's 6.5% alcohol by volume and has complex full malt and is well hopped. I don't know if anyone would call the hops citrusy. This ale is full in the mouth and long lasting flavor. Each year I am cheered when it makes it's first appearance in the stores.
lfen

This message is a reply to:
 Message 3 by Loudmouth, posted 12-02-2004 2:35 PM Loudmouth has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 12 by Loudmouth, posted 12-03-2004 12:10 PM lfen has replied
 Message 15 by macaroniandcheese, posted 12-03-2004 1:32 PM lfen has replied

  
Loudmouth
Inactive Member


Message 12 of 22 (164889)
12-03-2004 12:10 PM
Reply to: Message 11 by lfen
12-02-2004 10:37 PM


Re: Full Sail Wassail is the best on a cold winter night!
quote:
I keep hearing that Deschutes brews a different Jubel Ale each year. When I lived in that part of the state drinking the draft of their seasonal ales was incredible.
Had the Jubel last night. A bit maltier than years past, and still a great beer.
quote:
When it comes to bottled brews my favorite brewery, which is now employee owned, is Full Sail. Has it been a decade I've been drinking their Wassail each winter? This is my favorite beer. It's 6.5% alcohol by volume and has complex full malt and is well hopped. I don't know if anyone would call the hops citrusy. This ale is full in the mouth and long lasting flavor. Each year I am cheered when it makes it's first appearance in the stores.
Wassail is one of the better beers that Full Sail puts out. I'm not a great fan of their pale or IPA, but Wassail is great.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 11 by lfen, posted 12-02-2004 10:37 PM lfen has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 16 by lfen, posted 12-03-2004 2:15 PM Loudmouth has not replied

  
zephyr
Member (Idle past 4540 days)
Posts: 821
From: FOB Taji, Iraq
Joined: 04-22-2003


Message 13 of 22 (164904)
12-03-2004 1:21 PM
Reply to: Message 9 by SoulSlay
12-02-2004 5:10 PM


Probably because it doesn't last long, and as a seasonal drink is only in high demand around the holidays. It's just one of those things that people don't habitually buy throughout the year. If there were a market it'd most likely be sold year-round.
Eggnog... now there's something I haven't had in a while. I tend to mix it up with a splash of this and a splash of that - rum, brandy, whiskey, Kahlua, amaretto, and whatever else I can locate, as complicated as possible (within reason). Cuts down on the thickness and makes things a little more fun

This message is a reply to:
 Message 9 by SoulSlay, posted 12-02-2004 5:10 PM SoulSlay has not replied

  
Loudmouth
Inactive Member


Message 14 of 22 (164907)
12-03-2004 1:29 PM
Reply to: Message 8 by jar
12-02-2004 5:10 PM


Re: East Your Heart Out
quote:
I realize that simply posting a Link is a violation of forum policy and rules.
That link is great. From their opening page:
Ann Arbor Abbey is also home to a loose confederacy of self-congratulatory, monastic sots whose sole, corporate objective (compulsively pursued) is to produce hooch of surpassing spiritual potency, Epicurean quality, and purportedly minimal expense. Many among the laity question the validity of our mission, but as St. Attila, founder of the Attilan Fraternal Order of Brewers Minor, once said during a cross-eyed address to the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, "It beats working for a living! Pour me another, will ya Hoffa, ya marvelous commie pig... now where'd he disappear to... oh, there he is. No wait, that's Nipsey Russell... I gotta get some new drugs!"
Hehehe, exactly the attitude I want in a brewer when I drink beer.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 8 by jar, posted 12-02-2004 5:10 PM jar has not replied

  
macaroniandcheese 
Suspended Member (Idle past 3918 days)
Posts: 4258
Joined: 05-24-2004


Message 15 of 22 (164908)
12-03-2004 1:32 PM
Reply to: Message 11 by lfen
12-02-2004 10:37 PM


Re: Full Sail Wassail is the best on a cold winter night!
dude. we need to go awassailing.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 11 by lfen, posted 12-02-2004 10:37 PM lfen has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 17 by lfen, posted 12-03-2004 2:18 PM macaroniandcheese has replied

  
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