Winter Warmers and Christmas Ales

A seasonal subset of the British Old Ale / Strong Ale. These have additional fruit or spices and are produced mainly for consumption while sitting by a blazing fire. They usually have a bit more alcohol to support the deeper maltiness and extra flavors.

Spices may be nutmeg, cinnamon, allspice, clove, bog myrtle, anise, cardamom, coriander, orange, ginger, bay leaves, or many other odd flavors including pine needles and candied fruits. Additional sugars are sometimes added such as brown sugar, Belgian candy sugar, molasses, treacle, etc.

Bob’s Pick:

Hop Back Pickled Santa – Salisbury, Wiltshire, England regional brewery – Lots of fruit, malt, and alcohol. 6%

Rare Gems:

Grainstore Winter Nip – Oakham, Rutland, England microbrewery – Mahogony almost-barley-wine with fruit and alcohol coming through strong. 7.3%

Main Street Rudolph’s Revenge – Evansville, IN brewpub – Deeply complex. Belgian yeast and candy sugar give it a Tripel character. Dark Scottish malts. Nobel hops. E

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