The days are getting shorter, the weather is getting chillier and the Santa bells are getting a little louder. It’s the winter and that can mean only one thing: The beer is getting stronger.
Winter beers are great. They’re usually dark, malty and pack a punch. Three great characteristics. That said while perusing my local beer store the other day I had an idea. Take a state and make a six pack. Because of the absolute glut of craft beer that’s not a problem — unless you pick Kansas.
I made it much easier on myself and picked Oregon. I wrote a story on local winter beers to buy dad a few years back, so I thought I’d go a little further afield. Oregon fits nicely for that so I picked five beers from five distinct regions of the Beaver State — and one new winter beer from California. Some are fairly run-of-the-mill and can be purchased at any local grocery store. A few others may have to be searched out. I will say: All were pretty delicious with turkey. I’ll grade on a five-snowflake scale.
Fa La La La La (4 snowflakes)
Double Mountain Brewery, Hood River, Ore.
Heading over the mountains and through the woods (quick pit stop at Bale Breaker in Yakima, maybe?) we’ll arrive in Hood River in no time and get a pint at Double Mountain. Their Fa La La La La is the perfect end to a long road trip. It’s got a mighty malt backbone and some strong hops (85 IBU). It’ll have you singin’.
Alternative: Pfriem Family Brewer’s Belgian Strong Dark.
Brrr (3 snowflakes)
Widmer Brothers Brewing, Portland, Ore.
Let’s now head west to Portlandia. Widmer has been around for 30 yearsThis winter red ale has a nice balance between a hoppy aroma and malty flavor. It’s a robust ale (7.2 percent) and is pretty much what I think of when I think winter ale.
Alternative: Hopworks Urban Brewery’s Abominable Winter Ale.
Bad Santa (2 snowflakes)
Pelican Pub &Brewery, Pacific City, Ore.
Time to head for the coast. Pelican’s Bad Santa is a Cascadian dark ale and it’s got a real toasty malt character. It wasn’t my favorite but it wasn’t bad. The hop/malt balance, which I feel is the key to a winter beer, was just off.
Alternative: Fort George Brewery’s Three Wisemen.
Jubelale (3 snowflakes)
Deschutes Brewery, Bend, Ore.
Heading up to the high desert it’s time to enjoy one of my favorite breweries in Oregon. This may be sentimental feelings, but I really enjoy Jubelale. It’s a nicely nuanced beer with layers of caramel, spices and citrusy hops. It’s not going to blow your socks off, but it’s the perfect beer to give a friend at a Christmas party. On a side note, Fred’s Rivertown Alehouse is hosting a Jubelpalooza! night on Wednesday, Dec. 3 at 6 p.m.
Alternative: 10 Barrel Brewing’s Pray for Snow.
Festeroo (2 snowflakes)
Hop Valley Brewing, Eugene, Ore.
Now we’re entering Duck territory and one of the fastest growing beer communities in the state. Hop Valley is an up-and-coming brewery and this English-style Old Ale is slightly spicy and has a nice hoppy finish. That said it was probably my least favorite — and that’s not the Husky in me, I promise. Side note: I cannot recommend the alternative enough.
Alternative: Ninkasi Brewing’s Imperial Sleigh’r
Winter Wheat (3 snowflakes)
Anchor Brewing Company, San Francisco
Leaving Oregon behind we head to California and one of the oldest craft breweries on the West Coast. Made with five wheats from Belgium to California, Anchor’s Winter Wheat is a different take on winter beer. If you’re looking for something a little lighter at the table this month this might be the best choice.
Alternative: Lagunitas Brewing Company’s Sucks.
Aaron Swaney: 425-339-3430; aswaney@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @swaney_aaron79. Follow the Hops and Sips blog at www.heraldnet.com/hopsandsips.
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