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HHM’sTap Room

Top 10 Winter Beers to enjoy over the season

Greetings beer lovers!

I am a certified Craft beer fanatic, known to beer lovers everywhere as the 100 beers. 30 days. gal. I live and breathe Craft beer, and it makes me the happiest girl in the world. My blog, 100 beers. 30 days. looks at Craft beers of a style or movement in groups of 100. Yes people, I drink and review 100 beers in just 30 days. Call me crazy, but hey, I believe in extreme living. While my background is in years of wine tasting, teaching, and making, I began delving into the delicious world of Craft Beer a year ago, and I've never looked back.

“Oh the weather outside is frightful, but the beer is so delightful, and as long as the taps will go, let it flow, let it flow, let it flow....”

It's WINTER folks, and that means one thing: We need some brisk beer inspiration. Even down here in sunny San Diego, the mercury has fallen and crisp winds have bitten our sunworn earlobes. But not even an icy freeze from Jack Frost himself will defeat our thirst for delicious beers!

So my friends, shake off that winter chill, stoke up a fire, grab your blankets, and cozy up with these winter delights...

Here are my Top 10 Winter Beers to enjoy over the season. Cheers!

Samuel Smith Winter Welcome Ale, 6% ABV: One of the most famous and historical Winter Warmers. California hopheads, readjust your brains and palates. This is in a whole different category. This beer is all about the blending of classic English hops with malts. Mild aromas and flavors of dried caramel and light tree fruits. This beer tastes English from beginning to end. You can just imagine having a figgy pudding with it.

Odell Isolation Ale, 6% ABV: Feel like getting under your fluffy down comforter and not coming out? This amber-colored Winter Warmer might be the beer for you. This medium-bodied brew has notes of caramel scones, malt, cookies, and mild baking spices. Very drinkable, you can cozy up with maple pancakes and this beer on a cold winter morning.

Deschutes Jubelale, 6.7% ABV: I love this beer and its incredible 16 year tradition of art promotion. Like the famous Chateau Mouton-Rothschild of wine, Deschutes selects an artist each year to illustrate the label. Inside you will find a welcoming combination of caramel, baked bread, fruit, brown sugar and baking spice mingled with some West coast-style hoppiness. Fans of malty or hoppy beers will enjoy this one. Start your collection this year!

Alaskan Winter Ale, 6.4% ABV: This Ale brewed with spruce tips is for you light to medium beer fans out there. Hints of pine and wood, with a dose of sap on the nose. Subtle notes of dried apricot and orange, with light caramel malty body. Easy going and smooth, smooth. This is a beer for everyone, even non-craft beer drinkers. Serve this at a winter party for to please everyone's taste buds.

Big Sky Powder Hound, 7.2% ABV: Ready for a beer after coming in from the slopes but don't want something too heavy? Try Powder Hound. This beer SMELLS like winter – seriously. Cold air and stone, pine trees, and dried hops. I don't know how they did it, but they got this beer to smell exactly like a snowy day on the slopes. Light, piney hop resonance on the palate, with a lingering, drying bitterness. An easy drinker. Careful though, it's higher ABV than you might expect!
FYI: On the inside of the cap it reads: Sheep Boots & Velcro Gloves. Hmmm…

Great Divide Hibernation Ale, 8.7% ABV: Full, rich aromas and flavors of caramel, brown sugar, chocolate, pecans, and yes, a definite earthy, herbed quality. More complexity and character in both aroma and flavor than a Newcastle, this has been a great cross-over beer for customers venturing into darker beers.

Avery Old Jubilation, 8.3% ABV: All this cold weather making you feel a little nutty? Then at least be sophisticated and go for hazelnuts. From one of my favorite breweries in the nation comes this English Strong Ale. Lovely notes of dried fruit, caramel, light chocolate, toffee, and yes, hazelnuts. As a Nutella fanatic, I go for anything with the slightest hint of that delicious nut. So give it a try this winter. And while you're at it, pick up as many Avery varieties as you can. You will thank me.

Anderson Valley Winter Solstice Seasonal Ale, 6.9% ABV: Not just for celestial-loving hippies, Winter Solstice appeals to those who want a little sweetness to stave off the cold bitterness. Medium-bodied, with aromas and flavors of caramel, toast, vanilla, toffee, nutmeg, and gingerbread. A perfect match for those winter cookies you're baking and munching under the blankets.

AleSmith Speedway Stout, 12% ABV: It's freezing outside and you've slept all weekend. Having trouble coming out of your winter coma? Try this incredible beer brewed with espresso. Full of insanely rich notes of coffee, chocolate, roasted malt, charred wood, and burnt caramel, it is one of the best stouts I've ever tasted. But careful folks! At that ABV, it will put you right back in that coma. Believe me, I've seen it happen.

North Coast Old Rasputin Russian Imperial Stout, 9% ABV: This beer always gives me the warm snugglies. One of the best aromas on a beer out there. Rich, homemade molasses cookies, espresso, vanilla, baking spices, clove, nutmeg, cardamom, and even pepper. An incredible finish of tobacco and a dark, dark chocolate bitterness. If you haven't tried this beer, GO NOW, buy, and join our loyal legion.

Until next time,

Laurie Delk

View my 100 beers. 30 days. blog

Stay warm, healthy, and happy, and as always, drink Craft Beer. Cheers!