Follow Sean Inman to the best in craft beer
Next up is a cave that I would be happy to be in..Snow Cave from Crux Fermentation Project.
“Boasting an alluring spice character from Belgian yeast and suggestions of seasonal dark fruit, Snow Cave is a nuanced sipper you can cozy up with around the fire pit.”
Since I am California based, I had to do a double-take at the label for the Winter Lager from the Brooklyn Brewery before I saw that it was a coat. When it is 90 degrees on Thanksgiving, one doesn’t need fur-lined coats.
Today we go to Kentucky via Oregon and the Hopworks barrel-aged Christmas ale.
We head up to Upland Brewing for a little Latitude Adjustment….
“Winter is coming. Cold weather, hats and gloves, and frosty windows are fast approaching, but we’re taking a stand against winter with a new seasonal beer. Starting November, Upland fans can just say no to snow with Latitude Adjustment, a tropical pale ale with pineapple and coconut.”
Back to Washington State to meet up with a cold bird, Black Raven Brewing and their Frost Beak.
“This winter lager is inspired by traditional German style Doppelbocks. This beer is lagered (cold conditioned) for two months to ensure a clean and balanced malt flavor.”
Instead of hops and American amped up add-on’s, the next holiday seasonal up for review is the traditional Winter Welcome from Samuel Smith’s.
Pours a garnet orange. That first aroma is pure British to my nose. The effect of malt and water together without impeded by hops. This is bright and pops on the tongue. A little metallic tang to it. Reminds me of orange pekoe and toast.
We have reached the end of the holiday ale line and we end with a warning…
…here is what Klamath Basin Brewing says about their winter seasonal, “When the wind howls and snow drifts gather, you just have to ride out the storm. Hunker down with this deep reddish-brown Belgian style winter warmer. Its creamy head, caramel body and subtle citrus spices are sure to brighten the darkest winter day.”
To Connecticut we go for the penultimate beer of the holiday ale year (for BSP at least) to Half Full Brewery and their canned Winter White.
In honor of the new Mikkeller brewing facility in the old AleSmith Brewing facility, today’s holiday offering is a gift tag…
…”A porter brewed with: water, malt (pale, caracrystal, pale chocolate and chocolate), flaked oats, dark cassanade, hops (centennial and cascade), spices (star anise, cinnamon, clove and coriander seed) and ale yeast.”
Time to head for the slopes for the next wintry beer installment. Sit down on your chair of choice for Single Chair from Magic Hat.
“Single Chair is a light, medium-bodied golden ale with a greasy aroma and a malt forward flavor. Smooth and drinkable, perfectly balanced like nature itself…”