It is easy to forget, in the not to distant past craft beer drinkers
eagerly awaited the winter season for beers that were bigger and bolder. The
pioneers of the early craft brew movement in the U.S. laid the groundwork with
their winter seasonals for the year round big beer explosion we are
experiencing today.
It seems fitting to pay homage to these founding fathers
that have inspired countless other craft brewers with their winter offerings.
The beers listed below have withstood the test of time and have become winter
classics.
Anchor Steam was founded in 1896. Old Foghorn, 8.8%, was
first brewed in 1975. It was the first commercially brewed barley wine in the
United States. Foghorn is malty and winy with honey notes and hops in the
background and a touch of citrus and alcohol warmth on the long finish.
Sierra Nevada was founded in 1981. Sierra Nevada Celebration
Ale, 6.8%, was the original aggressively hoppy American IPA with hints of
spruce, lime, grapefruit and a faint sweetness. An herbal fruitiness ensues
which is beautifully balanced by a malty backbone.
Pyramid Brewing was established in 1984. Pyramid Snowcap,
7%, has complex flavors of dark chocolate, raisins, toffee, plums, coffee and
malt. Mid-palate a dry nutty hoppy note appears. The finish is long and warming
with suggestions of orange peel, grape skins, lime and dry coco.
Bells was founded in 1985. Expedition Stout at 10.5% is
strong and bracing with concentrated flavors of dark chocolate, yeast, malt and
espresso, there is a lingering coco note, which fades into a hoppy finish.
Alaskan was founded in 1986. Smoked Porter, 6.5%, is vintage
dated and brewed exclusively for the winter months. Smoke is the backbone of
this Porter as chocolate, coffee, malt, yeast and a rich dryness lead to a long
finish.
Anderson Valley was established in 1987. Winter Solstice,
6.9%, has a rich malt background; it is spicy and fruity as vanilla bean,
cherry, cinnamon, nutmeg and faint hops lead to a dry yeasty finish.
North Coast was founded in 1988. Old Stock Ale, 12.5%, is
full-bodied with flavors of prune, plum, figs, maple syrup, blackberries and
yeast. A winy note flows through the middle of this ale followed by malt and
cherry. The
finish is long, warming and fruity with suggestions of grape skins.
Goose Island was founded in 1988. This gargantuan creation
was first brewed in 1992. Bourbon County Stout, 13%, is the original
Bourbon-aged Imperial Stout. Bourbon is pronounced throughout as malt,
molasses, vanilla, liquorice, chocolate syrup, coco, coffee, dark chocolate and
yeast are apparent. The finish is long, dry, oaky and boozy.
Rogue Ales was founded in 1988. Old Crustacean, 11.5%, with
110 IBUs is an aggressive American style barley wine with herbal hops followed
by grapefruit, lime, and a winy note. The finish is long with piney hops,
alcohol warmth and a strong bitterness.
Brooklyn Brewery was established in 1988. Black Chocolate
Stout, 10%, starts out with chocolate syrup in the forefront then becomes
yeasty and slightly winy with coffee, prunes, smoke and underlying hops.
