Newcastle Winter IPA

Newcastle Winter IPA

English India Pale Ale

5.2% Alcohol (ABV)

28 IBU's

It's officially 2013 and officially freaking cold!  I don't know about you guys, but it has been cold here, as in ungodly cold.  Like -5 to -10 degrees Fahrenheit, with windchills down to -20 degrees.  

Now that's hardcore.

And what better to hit the spot when the weather gets crazy cold than... a Winter India Pale Ale.  The Newcastle Winter IPA to be precise.

Samuel Adams White Christmas Ale

Samuel Adams White Christmas Ale

Boston Beer Company (Sam Adams)

8 IBU's

5.8% Alcohol

Well, here's another from the Samuel Adams Winter variety pack, a review of the White Christmas Ale.

This is a Limited Release beer, but I'm honestly not even sure it's sold in regular six-packs.  It might only just be in the winter pack.

Samuel Adams Old Fezziwig Ale

Samuel Adams

Old Fezziwig Ale

Winter Warmer

Boston Brewing Company (Sam Adams)

27 IBU's

5.9% Alcohol

Is it too early to review a holiday beer?  

I don't think so.  It's starting to get cold, at least here.  Like really, really cold.  The other day I was out fishing and it basically started blizzarding on me.  I could have used a nice Winter Warmer brew right about then.

Stone Vertical Epic Ale 11.11.11

Stone Vertical Epic 11.11.11

Belgian-Style Strong Pale Ale

IBU's: 65

Alcohol Content: 9.4%

I've already professed my love for Stone Brewing Company too many times.  They make so many damn good beers that it blows my mind.  

And they don't pay me to say that.  I wish they did... 

but they don't.  

So, let's make this short and sweet.  Here's another annually released beer from Stone Brewing, their Vertical Epic 11.11.11 which is a bottle-conditioned Belgian-style Strong Pale Ale brewed with cinnamon and green Annaheim chillis, with a respectable 9.4% alcohol and a moderate 65 IBU's. 

Yes, cinnamon and green chillis.  In this beer and in your belly.

The Stone Vertical Epic '11 pours a dark reddish mahogany color with a big, creamy off-white head.  It smells of cinnamon, caramel, and hints of spices and bananas, which reminds me of a Bananas Foster.  Tasting brings more of those Belgian banana notes, a gentle warming heat, Christmas pie spices, sweet caramel malts, hints of butterscotch, and mild hops in the finish, with a touch of the chili heat mixing with the 9.4% alcohol in the aftertaste.

To say there's a lot going on here would be an understatement.  No joke.  

But is it epic?  

I'm on the fence with that.  In complexity, yes.  In smack-your-tongue-hardcore-beerness, no. 

It's kind of like a Belgian beer, a Winter Warmer, and a Chili Beer had a wild threesome and this is what popped out 9 months later.  I know that's not how getting pregnant really works, but it's just a metaphor, alright?  Anyway, it's still a great beer and drinkable, just not epic nor my favorite from Stone Brewing.

Drink This: if you'd like to try a complex Belgian Beer that has characteristics of a Winter Warmer and a Chili Beer.

Don't Drink This: if your favorite beer is Bud Light.  Sorry, this isn't for you.

Cheers!            

Deschutes Brewery Jubelale 2011 Release

 

Deschutes Brewery Jubelale

2011 Release

Winter Warmer

IBU's: 60

Alcohol: 6.7%

As October approaches, the Winter Seasonal beers are going to be hitting the shelves which means lots and lots of delicious darker, spicier brews.  My oh my, I'm a happy guy.

Every year, the good people at Deschutes Brewery release their fantastic Winter Warmer, Jubelale.  I have to say, this year's label art is my favorite from all of their yearly Jubelale releases.  It really just feels more wintery and almost vintage.  Very cool.  

So, Jubelale pours a deep, dark copper color with a respectable head.  It smells wonderfully sweet and malty, with a spicy, depth of hops.  You take a sip and get a glorious combination of sweet, toasted, caramel-y malts, a bit of dark fruit (figs? raisins?), and an ending of spicy, almost nutmeg and cinnamon-like spices and strong piney hops.  It is a great combination of perfectly strong flavors and maintains its place as one of my favorite winter warmers.  I could drink this stuff year-round.  Look for this 2011 release in stores this October!

 

Drink This: if you want an incredible, delicious version of a Winter Ale from Deschutes Brewery.  

Don't Drink This: if you don't like wonderful beer.  But seriously, go find this stuff.  It's awesome.  I always forget just how great this beer is until it hits stores each year.  Get out your sweaters and scarves so you can stock up, people!  CHEERS!