Today’s column is a highlight reel of sorts, a few of my favorite beers for the chill of winter. Beer runs like the weather, sometimes it’s warm in December, but really it feels more normal when it’s cold. Similarly, I bought a six-pack of Corona last week, because I felt like it, but I feel more at home with a dark, spiced brew when the weather turns frigid. Here, presented in no particular order, are some you should check out:
Prelude Special Ale, Shipyard Brewing Company (Portland, ME)
This beer is a newly discovered favorite and for the most part has replaced Sam Adams Winter Ale in my fridge. It’s a dark, red-amber beer with a delicious butterscotch smell. It’s not spiced, so it has a traditional malty body. This is a good one.
ABV: 6.8%
Grade: A
St. Bernardus Abt 12, Brewery Bernardus (Belgium)
This beer is available year-round, but as a Belgian quad its dark seductive character is perfect for winter. St. Bernardus makes a separate Christmas Ale that’s worth trying, but if you miss the seasonal window, grab one of these.
ABV: 10%
Grade: A
Our Special Ale, Anchor Brewing Company (San Francisco, CA)
This beer changes its recipe and label every year, but it always hews to the same style, a spiced winter warmer. I’ve yet to try the 2011 version, but I suspect it will be of similar quality to last year’s. It’s a dark -- almost black -- brew with some nice hints of baking spices. The taste is like roasted coffee and dark chocolate. Christmas in a glass.
ABV: 5.5%
Grade: B+
Chimay Grande Reserve, Chimay Beers (Belgium)
Five years ago, this was the first Belgian beer I ever tried and I still come back to it time and time again. It’s a bit pricey at $14 a bottle here in Boston, so I save it for something special. A strong dark ale with a really sweet smell of caramel and brown sugar. The body has a dark fruit taste of plums and raisins. If you’re willing to spend the money, try this stuff!
ABV: 9.0%
Grade: A+
Trois Pistoles, Unibroue (Chambly, QC, Canada).
Famous for their Fin du Monde beer, this brewer does great work, including brewing Trader Joe’s annual Vintage Ale. A strong, dark ale, tastes of raisins and plums, a bit like a port on the finish. Good stuff.
ABV: 9.0%
Grade: A-
Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and delicious drinking!
Image courtesy of SixPackTech.com
