Can there be anything more enjoyable on a cold winter day than a juicy slice of meatloaf or a hearty ladle full of chili? Don't tell the cook, but if you are a craft beer enthusiast, you know that winter ales come close. Like the feeling of a cold smooth lager on a hot summer day, winter ales provide satisfyingly complex flavors perfect for those snowy evenings when going out is not an option.
Although not an official beer style or category, most self-described winter ales (and some lagers) share a few broad characteristics. The most obvious is a darker color that can produce some amazing flavors we associate with the season. Think toasted nuts, roasted grains, dark fruits and even chocolate. Some brands will also include familiar spices like cinnamon and nutmeg.
Winter ales also tend to be a bit stronger than the usual brews, although this varies widely. Expect most to be between six and eight percent alcohol by volume, but there are a some that can be 10 percent or higher, so always read the label.
Food lovers will also appreciate the fact that the variety of flavors in winter ales allow them to pair well with most of the comfort foods we enjoy. Think like-for-like. Try a chocolaty winter brown ale with your favorite dessert or coffee and watch as others stare at your full-face grin.
Most craft breweries seem to have a winter seasonal beer these days and there are a few great ones local to Pittsburgh and the northeast region:
- Snowmelt Winter Ale - East End Brewing Company, Pittsburgh, Pa. Alcohol by volume: 7.0%. Character: Ruby-red and lightly spiced.
- Fireside Winter Warmer - Rivertowne Pour House, Monroeville, Pa. Alcohol by volume: 6.3%. Character: Medium-bodied amber lager aged on vanilla beans.
- Winter Ale - Weyerbacher Brewing Company, Easton, Pa. Alcohol by volume: 5.6%. Character: Brewed with deep-roasted chocolate malt.
- Smuttynose Winter Ale - Smuttynose Brewing Company, Portsmouth, N.H. Alcohol by volume: 5.1% Character: Brown ale brewed with a Trappist ale yeast. Similar to a Belgian Dubbel style.
Each of these beers provides a fantastic escape from your usual beer of choice. But don't forget to visit your local craft beer distributor. There are many winter seasonal beer choices from breweries across the U.S. and around the world. Grab a serving of the hearty comfort food of your choice, sit by the fire and enjoy the unique taste of a winter ale.
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