Even though the streets of Kalamazoo are flooding due to the severe weather the entire Midwest has been subjected to in the past 24 hours, I can't help but continue to think about the magical blanket of thick and fluffy white snow that will soon cover the mitten state.
And let's be honest, every year I feel the same way about it.
I'm sorry, I adore Michigan. And not having snow on Christmas is sacrilege, but thinking about scraping off my car every morning and night, shoveling my driveway, turning up the heat, having to buy new boots because every year I choose price over quality and every year I end up with wet socks.
Also, snow pants. I have come full circle and now appreciate them. There was a time in the middle where it was embarrassing, from about age 10 through relatively recently. But now I would rather go to the bar looking like a marshmallow then be cold. Sorry everyone that has to witness that.
But speaking of the bar, let's talk about the one great part about cold weather, and that's the type of beer you're about to see flood menus across Michigan.
BRING ON THE WINTER BEER. Because winter beer equals holiday cheer.
In no particular order, I present to you my list of the Top 10 Winter Beers I am most excited to drink this holiday season, and you should be excited too.
10. Santa's Private Reserve Ale - Rogue (6% ABV)
Thank goodness Santa's not holding out on us anymore. You should probably treat yourself to this at some point, regardless as to whether you have been naughty or nice. You've got your basic hoppy red ale with additional notes of orange peel and holiday spices. A sweet and bitter treat.
9. 2XMAS - Southern Tier Brewing Company (8% ABV)
Taking in the aroma of this beer is like smelling a gingerbread/sugar cookie hybrid. This beer is full of figs, orange peel, and holiday baking spices, everything you need for a truly solid Christmas ale. Southern Tier always brews delicious, people pleasing beers, and this is certainly no exception.
8. Bourbon Barrel Soaked Sustenance Black Beer - Short's Brewing Co. (6.5% ABV)
Ok, so this one doesn't directly reference the holidays in the title. But trust me, when the snow comes down and your socks are wet and you're too poor to turn the heat up, this is the beer you want. The old label actually used to have a turkey sitting on a barrel, which is pretty Thanksgiving-y if you ask me, but the new one isn't bad either. Kind of looks like my tiny family around the Thanksgiving table.
Feel free to point out that this beer is released in early spring. But trust me, there is nothing, nothing I tell you, that feels like sitting in front of a toasty fire in your favorite flannel pajamas than this beer. Probably because, as Short's so aptly describes it, this beer is bourbon barrel soaked. You've got a great oaky char in there, and certainly prominent vanilla notes which to me, allude to baking on Christmas eve, but the star player is the bourbon.
6. Ursus - Greenbush (8.9% ABV)
Greenbush actually has three winter beer options this year, including Mammoth (weizenbock) and Jadis (winter white). But I'm mot excited to try Ursus, an old winter ale. It boasts roasty chocolate malts and notes of dark fruit, along with a surprise addition of maple sap. I'm really looking forward to grabbing a glass this season. Label not pictured here, but it's got a very menacing looking bear on it. I'm a fan.
5. Plow Horse - Brewery Vivant (9.5% ABV)
Winter is stout season, and this Belgian Imperial stout absolutely blew me away the first time I tried it. Its official release month is November, so now is the time people! This beer is just huge and robust, everything a great stout should be. Wonderfully balanced, delightfully complex, it's a Christmas miracle! But it's actually not, because I think we've all come to expect nothing less from Brewery Vivant.
9. Christmas Ale - Great Lakes (7.5% ABV)
Great Lakes Brewing Company has just celebrated their 25th Anniversary this year, and with options like this, it's no wonder they've been brewing strong for so long! This seasonal ale is a glorious offering to anyone looking to experience some serious holiday cheer in a pint. It's brewed with honey, ginger, and cinnamon, which gives this beer a great savory to sweet balance. Definitely don't wait until Christmas day to open up a bottle of this stuff.
4. Christmas Ale - Goose Island (7.5% ABV)
I look forward to this truly spectacular Christmas ale every single year. Distinctly sweet, like plums, brown sugar, vanilla, and orange zest. I know first hand that this stuff ages well, so if you grab yourself a six pack, consider cellaring a bottle or two to appease the you of Christmas future.
3. Noel de Calabaza - Jolly Pumpkin (9% ABV)
All I want for Christmas is a Jolly Pumpkin in Kalamazoo. I have an obsession. Some days, only a Jolly Pumpkin brew will do, and for those days that also happen to be around the holidays, there is Noel de Calabaza for your drinking pleasure. Its flavor is equally full of dark fruit and nuts as it is chocolate rum truffles. The only thing that keeps me from confidently stating that this is my favorite winter beer is that it's not nearly as readily available as I would like. So when you see it, snatch it up because Jolly Pumpkin beers have a habit of flying off the shelf like Santa's reindeer.
2. Three Philosophers - Brewery Ommegang (9.8% ABV)
This Belgian quad is one of the most outstanding beers I have ever had. It's fitting that it was created around the description of someone's dream beer in a contest. I will actually direct you to my review of this beer from a few months ago. But as far as why this gets ranked into a winter beer list, the sweet rum raisin, dark cherries and cloves you pull from this beer would pair perfectly with any holiday meal. Or it can certainly stand alone on a cold winter's night.
1. Breakfast Stout - Founder's Brewing (8.3% ABV)
Winter is stout season. Breakfast Stout is the perfect stout. It's basic math. There is truly nothing even mediocre about this beer. Beautiful layers of Kona and Sumatra coffee, bittersweet chocolate, and oats make up the foundational flavors of this cornerstone beer from one of Michigan's best breweries. Bonus! If you're reading this out of state, this beer is distributed nationally, so make sure to keep an eye out for it wherever you normally shop for your favorite craft beer.
