Despite what the groundhog (or the weather man) claims, it is still winter… Although the Pacific Northwest has been going through an uncommonly warm winter season, something in our taste buds calls for the beers of the season. Dark stouts, strong barley wines, and slow sipping porters, reveal the season for what it is: the time for staying indoors, resting close to the fire and needing something to warm you up. While we drink our way through the remaining period of the season, we have collected some seasonal winter ales sure to meet your alcoholic needs. But get them soon, before the seasons change!
Alaskan Brewing Winter Ale || ABV 6.4%
Juneau, Alaska is known for much more then not having any roads leading in. Alaskan Brewing has been offering this winter ale for the outside world for 15 years, and consumers keep coming back for more. This winter ale was brewed in the style of an English Olde Ale, meant to harken back to the dark, malty beers of England. However, Alaskan has added their state’s unique imprint to the recipe by brewing it with Sitka spruce tips, adding a sweet aroma to this malty winter warmer. || alaskanbeer.com
Laurelwood Brewing Santa’s Woody Bourbon Barrel Aged Barleywine || ABV 9.5%
It is the gift that keeps on giving! Laurelwood’s bourbon barrel aged barleywine finds itself only improving with time in the cellar. With each new year this winter seasonal is in production, the brewmasters at Laurelwood make up a fresh batch of this malty goodness, then blend it together with the previous years beer, having spent the last year carefully maturating in bourbon barrels. With strong hop notes, covering layers of malt character and sweetness, this is a beer sure to please Santa (and anyone else) for years to come. || laurelwoodbrewpub.com
Hair of the Dog Doggie Claws || ABV 11.5%
Just look again at the alcohol percentage. Sold…This copper-colored ale benefits from big malt and big hops, as well as the flavor of dark wild flower honey, collected from Mt. Hood. As with most barley wines, this will only age well with time, but can also keep you warm immediately if the need arises. || hairofthedog.com
Fort George The North VIII || ABV 9.9%
Fort George Brewing out of Astoria really wants you to embrace the darkness this winter. So much so that they’ve created a festival around it. The Festival of the Dark Arts offers ticket holders the opportunity to taste a wide selection of stouts from numerous breweries around the Pacific Northwest. This years’ iteration of The North from Fort George leads the breweries 16 other stouts Fort George will be offering for tasting. The VIII Russian Imperial stout is filled with flavors of slightly sweetened roasted barley and grains, melded together under a smooth mouth feel and dark mahogany color. You can check this, and much more, out at the Festival of the Dark Arts on February 14 in Astoria. || fortgeorgebrewery.com
Stoup Brewing English-style Winter Warmer || ABV 7%
Taste of this beer will take you to a small inn in Sussex, ripe with a crackling fire, and a quiet sound of rain on the window… Then you remember you are in Seattle. This English style winter warmer pours in to the glass with a dark, coppery/mahogany color, and aromas of lightly roasted caramel and toffee malts, coupled with flavors of toasty nuts, oaky, toasty toffee and finishes with creamy hints of cherries and apples. || stoupbrewing.com
Granville Island Brewing Lion Winter || ABV 5.5%
Claiming to be as “bold as the mighty lion,” Vancouver’s Granville Island offers another iteration of their 2011 World Beer Championship silver medal award winning beer. Offering robust notes of cocoa, caramel, vanilla and moderate notes of hop bitterness, this complex beer pairs well with your favorite winter meal of pan roasted pork chops, or clam chowder. || gib.ca
10 Barrel Brewing Pray for Snow || ABV 7%
Snow seems to have forgotten about the Pacific Northwest this year, and this fact has not gone unnoticed by the brewers at Bend’s 10 Barrel Brewing. With their seasonal offering of Pray for Snow, 10 Barrel pours a dark mahogany beer, with tastes of rich dark fruits on the front of a strong malt backbone. A touch of hops, and a mouth feel full and slick, 10 Barrel’s Pray for Snow, will allow your insides to combat the cold that is (not) outside. || 10barrel.com
No-Li Brewing—Expo Series Big Bang Barley Wine || ABV 10.5%
The Big Bang is exactly what you imagine, a flavor smash against your taste buds meant to rival the creation of the Universe itself! Utilizing Yakima Valley hops to help to balance tasting notes of strong malts, toasted marshmallows and deep caramel flavors, coupled with hints of grapefruit and pine. Drink it now, or lay it down, this barley wine will stay good for years to come. || nolibrewhouse.com
