If your New Year’s resolution is to drink more beer, we have you covered. We chatted with local brewers to find out their favorite winter brew recommendations. Now all that’s left is for you to grab a coat, gather your friends and try them all. Cheers!
Rebel Kettle Brewing Company
Their picks: Winter Plow Winter Saison, After Hours Smoked Porter and Hell Camino Smoked Porter
Expert opinion: “The winter seasonal that I’m most excited about is our Winter Plow Winter Saison,” says John Lee, head brewer at Rebel Kettle Brewing. “We brewed this 7.8 percent farmhouse-style ale with sweet orange peel and ginger. These flavors pair perfectly with our spicy and fruity house Saison yeast strain.”
“Our After Hours Smoked Porter will be coming soon. This 7.5 percent ABV beer blends aromas and flavors of rich chocolate and freshly roasted coffee with a beautiful subtle smoky character in the finish. We will also be releasing a version of this called, Hell Camino that’s aged on jalapeño and poblano peppers.”
Lost Forty Brewing
Their pick: Bourbon Barrel Aged Love Honey Bock
Expert opinion: “You know what they say; Love gets better with age,” says Cassie Millington, social media community manager at Yellow Rocket Concepts. “Our most-anticipated winter beer and barrel-aged project is our Bourbon Barrel Aged Love Honey Bock. Our Honey Bock is a full-bodied beer naturally sweetened with Arkansas honey for a smooth, creamy complexity. Once a year, we age it in bourbon barrels for eight months, which softens the sweetness of the bock and imparts delicious, subtle oak notes and whiskey aromas. We will be releasing it in our taproom Monday, Jan. 30.”
Blue Canoe Brewing Company
Their picks: Gillian’s Coconut Stout, Whittler Milk Stout and Irish Red
Expert opinion: “Our current winter seasonal is our Gillian’s Coconut Stout,” says Carrie Mellinger, marketing coordinator at Blue Canoe. “It’s got a fairly strong coconut aroma, big chocolate/roasts malt flavor in the middle followed by a hint of Madagascar bourbon vanilla bean and more coconut at the end. It’s only 5 percent ABV, so not quite a winter warmer, but it’s lower alcohol makes it a great one to enjoy a few with friends at the taproom. We’ve currently got it on a nitro tap (which makes it even creamier) on the original taproom side and on regular on the new taproom side.
“This is also the time of the year that the Whittler Milk Stout really shines. Super smooth, chocolate/coffee/espresso flavors and sweet yet balanced finished. Also, one of our brewmasters, Patrick, has really been enjoying or Irish Red lately. It’s another maltier oriented beer — little toffee on the malt side and clean crisp hip balance and finish.”
Diamond Bear Brewing Company
Their pick: Oatmeal Stout
Expert opinion: “For our winter recommendation, we suggest the Oatmeal Stout, the latest addition to the Diamond bear lineup,” says Josh Green, brewery sales representative at Diamond Bear. “Our Oatmeal Stout pays tribute to cold nights and long winters. We’ve brewed it up to be heady on the nose, with rich oatmeal mids, and a little touch of chocolate on the finish.”
Core Brewing Company
Their pick: KYYA Imperial Chocolate Stout
Expert opinion: “Over 10 percent ABV will warm your soul on a cold, winter night,” says Jesse Core, founder and CEO of Core Brewing Company. “It’s dark richness comes from pure KYYA Ecuadorian Chocolate. Sip slowly and enjoy the complexity of this popular seasonal brew.”