WV Brew News: Best winter beer drinking | Life & Arts | wvgazettemail.com – Charleston Gazette-Mail
For me, when the weather turns cold and the days grow short, nothing brings more pleasure than to sit in front of my fireplace with a rich, full-flavored, higher-strength beer.
Whether or not they’re called winter seasonals or winter warmers, no beer styles do a better job melting a snowy winter disposition than beers such as Belgian Abbey Ales, Imperial Stouts, Winter Lagers, Strong Ales, and Barleywines. Just remember, that to show their best, abbey ales, barleywines, and imperial stouts need to be served just slightly chilled or even warmer at a cool room temperature.
Cold temps deaden their flavors and hide their complexities. Warm them up and be rewarded with aromas wafting from the glass to massage your nostrils.
Take a sip and allow it to linger on the tongue. The flavors of toasty/roasty caramel malts, yeast fermentation signatures, mellow hops, and tingly, sweet ethanol take a path straight from the taste buds to to the brain’s pleasure center. Warming you, caressing you.
It’s really not an experience you can get from a hazy IPA, a fruited Gose, or a Pilsner. Among the winter loving beers, Imperial Stouts seem to be most common on West Virginia beer retailers’ shelves and local brewers’ taps. You’ll find winter lagers, barleywines, and Belgian Trappist and Abbey Ales at better beer outlets around the region.
Regularly check your favorite local brewery’s tap list too so you won’t miss trying these often limited-edition seasonal brews. Try pairing them with full-flavored cheeses, barbecued meats, roasted winter vegetables, and sweet potato casserole.
They also pair exceptionally well with rich desserts such as pecan pie.
Weathered Ground Brewery’s Sam Fonda says he enjoys a beer cocktail made by combining a winter lager about half and half with a breakfast stout. He likes to sprinkle it with a little cinnamon before drinking. Sounds delicious. Don’t be afraid to experiment with blends like this.
Some brews to look for in distribution this winter:
Samuel Smith’s Winter Welcome Ale
This English winter warmer ale has long been a favorite around the world. Apricot colored with caramel-toffee and dried fruit flavors. A true winter seasonal that is vintage dated. 6.0% ABV
Frost Notch Winter Ale from Big Timber Brewing
This strong ale is packaged this year for the first time in cans. A fully malty, lightly smokey ale is at home in your living room or on the ski slopes. 7.8% ABV.
Frosted Ground Winter Lager from Weathered Ground
This amber lager is full …….