winter beer review #10: Big Sky Powder Hound

Blecchhh. See: #7, Widmer Brothers Brrr.

winter beer review #9: Magic Hat Howl

All I’ve done today is watch football. Steve (not pictured) has gone outside about fifty times and barked incessantly every time. It’s enough to make me want to try a few more winter beers.

Magic Hat’s seasonal offering is called Howl. I guess it’s a Schwartzbier, which is a style I happen to enjoy. Roasty, toasty, dark and chocolaty, with a bit of hoppy spice, but not heavy at all. I like it. It doesn’t seem very strong, which can be nice. I usually like stronger winter beers, but often I don’t want to feel it too much. Good beer! Plus, the brewery’s name reminds me of Joseph Smith.

winter beer review #8: Central Waters Satin Solstice

Central Waters brewed an imperial stout for their winter beer. It’s smooth and chocolaty with a hint of coffee, but not as strong as some imperial stouts. I really like it. This is the kind of beer I tend to drink in the winter when the winter seasonals are gone or I get tired of them.

Oh, and did you see those Oregon Ducks? My brother’s enthusiasm for them is infectious.

winter beer review #7: Widmer Brothers Brrr

Hi, we’re Widmer Brothers. We’re in Oregon. We like hops. Can you tell? We’re going to brew this American IPA and call it a winter beer. Mmm… grapefruit.

Yeah, not what I’m looking for in a winter beer at all. Way too many American hops. Yuck.

winter beer review #6: Deschutes Jubelale

Steve lives to see another day.

This winter warmer is from Oregon, so I expected to taste hops. I’m not real crazy about overly-hopped beers when the style typically or historically doesn’t call for it. And I don’t like overly-hopped winter beers.

But like the Colorado beers before it, I’m surprisingly not annoyed by too many hops. This beer is definitely hoppier than those, but generally, I’d say this western brewer managed to show some restraint and keep it balanced. Also, I might be wrong, but it seems that the hops are mellowing as the beer warms.

Anyway, Jubelale is really tasty. It’s roasty and toasty, with subtle dark-fruitiness. A bit alcoholic and hoppy, plus a little spicy at the end. Yes, this is a good beer. I recommend it.

winter beer review #5: Breckenridge Christmas Ale

The picture is to prove that I haven’t killed anyone’s dog yet. Um… I don’t mean yet.

So I went with another Colorado brew. It’s tasty, but not as good as the Odell. I like it, but it’s pretty unremarkable. So I won’t say any more about it.

winter beer review #4: Odell Isolation Ale

If I took the time to look at Facebook, I could tell you which good cause Odell supports. I’m guessing there are several. But I think the best cause they support is my feeling of well-being and happiness on this cold Thanksgiving night.

Biscuity, caramely, slightly spicy, with a pleasant hop balance. This one has flavors all over the place, which I happen to like in a winter beer. I’ll get this beer again.

winter beer review #3: Anchor Christmas Ale

I was on a roll. A bad one. Thank goodness for the wonderful folks at Anchor. Anchor’s Christmas Ale is often one of my favorite winter beers. This year does not disappoint. Aromatic, spicy, chocolaty, toasty, slightly hoppy. Delicious. Good thing I bought a sixer of this one.

winter beer review #2: 21st Amendment Fireside Chat

First of all, check out the can on this one. Perhaps our last great president, chatting with an elf…

This one smells better. It’s a nice brown color, and the aftertaste isn’t bad, but unless the main spices in this “winter spiced ale” are Metal and Sour, I don’t think I want to finish it.

winter beer review #1: Bell’s Christmas Ale

I love it when the holidays roll around and breweries make winter/Christmas/holiday beers. I like spicy beers, dark, malty beers, and I’ve even come around to a bit of fruit in my beer. It’s the most wonderful time of the beer year.

I recently purchased dozen or so winter beers. You want to hear about each and every one of them, right? OK. Unless I get bored with this.

Ah, Bell’s. I picked this one up at the store, thought I remembered it, put it back. Picked it up again, then decided to get it out of the way in case I did remember it. I remembered it. Considering Bell’s makes many of my favorite beers, especially Expedition Stout, one might think this would be one of my favorite winter beers. Nope. It looks pretty, but I can barely smell it, barely taste it and the hops come on at the end like Lysol. Boring, then kind of nasty. The reason I decided to document these beers is so I do not buy any more Bell’s Christmas Ale ever again.