Winter Warmers

Last week I began talking about beers that people seem to favor this time of year when the weather turns colder. This week I am going to talk about a "style" of beer that comes and goes before you know it. The "style is called "Winter Warmer". "Winter Warmer" beers are not officially a style by themselves. They are actually a compilation of beers from various styles like Herb and Spice, Fruit, Barleywines, Old Ales, Bocks, and many beer styles of Belgian origin. This loosely defined style of beer has exploded in popularity throughout the beer world. The Winter Warmer style is beer that originally had its roots of English origin, where makers in Britain have ruled the style for many years. However, nowadays quite a few other breweries from around the world have brewed equal or better versions in my opinion. What classifies a beer as a “Winter Warmer” is not only its strength of alcohol, but also a balance of a big malt character and a leveled hop presence. Brewers love to make beers that fit this 'style' as it allows them a chance to really experiment and let their artistic juices flow.
Not only are microbreweries and brewpubs releasing winter warmers faster than you can say Anderson Valley's Winter Solstice Ale, but even some of the big macro breweries entrenched in light lagers have hopped aboard the seasonal beerwagon. Coors, for example has brewed a spiced seasonal lager dubbed Winterfest for about 15 years now. Traditionally, winter warmers have been big, hearty, slow-sipping ales. The most frequent distinguishing characteristic of a Winter Warmer usually includes a combination of the following: brown to deep copper to black opaque in color; increased alcohol content resulting in a more warming effect; and a myriad of spices or other ingredients added during production.
The recipes and flavor of some seasonal beers change from year to year but retain the same name, such as Anchor Brewing Companies 'Our Special Ale'. Adored by beer lovers since its introduction in 1975, Our Special Ale is released exclusively during the week of Thanksgiving and remains available only through mid-January. That brings up another point, after the New Years holiday these beers disappear rather fast which is a shame. I think it is because a lot of people assume that once the holidays are over these beers become old and stale. Nothing could really be further from the truth though since many of these beers have a higher alcohol content that allows them to be aged for years if you want, not just weeks.
These beers are often good candidates for laying down for future tasting's because of their high alcohol content and I know many beer connoisseurs pick a particular brand and buy bottles every year to add to a vertical collection. Anchor, Sierra Nevada Celebration, and Samichlaus, are probably three of the more popular ones to collect. Not that it has anything to do with Winter Warmers but a bottle of Stone Vertical epic from 02/02/02 recently sold for over $300 on Ebay to someone who was probably trying to complete their collection so there could be money to be made to those collecting Winter Warmers also I think, not that I would ever part with some of the beers I am aging.
It's not unusual to find fruit flavors in Winter Warmers. Some popular fruits that brewers add are cranberries, oranges, raspberries and cherries. Adding to the warm glow of the Christmas spirit, some beers have one or two spices in them while others may include a wide array of holiday or spices such as vanilla, nutmeg, cinnamon, clove and even coriander. The Belgians carry this idea to new levels. Their already big, spicy brews are made even bigger and spicier and issued as holiday ales, Scaldis Noel, Delirium Noel and DeDolle Stille Nacht just to name a few.
Anticipating the annual offering of winter warmers is as much fun as awaiting the opening of presents early Christmas morning -- maybe even more now that we're adults. One of my personal favorites is Samichlaus, The potent beer now made in Austria is brewed on only one day of each year. On Dec. 6, Saint Nicholas' Day, a new batch is brewed and is aged until the following winter before it is released.
Because of their complexity, winter warmers do well with heartier meals that often accompany the holidays. The acidity in wines often "fights" the flavors in big dinners, but beer will often compliment them. Try a rich, malty winter warmer with your roasted turkey or pair the holiday ham with a beer flavored with cherries or cranberries. Ask your local Papago bartender for recommendations. I'll bet they will more than go out of their way to help you find the perfect beer for your holiday feast!
Prost, Ron