Denver off the Wagon

It’s that time of year again where every brewery near and far has a seasonal release.  Winter is jam packed with special beers, more so than any other season.  While winter warmer is far from my favorite style, there are so many offerings that even I find quite a few that I get all gooogly eyed over.  So without further adieu here are some of my top choices for winter beers.

Odell Isolation Ale:  Rich and malty with just a touch of roasty bitterness, makes a gal want to curl up by a fire place during a soft snow fall. 6% ABV

Great Divide Hibernation:  This classic English Style Old Ale has been in existence almost as long as the brewery itself.  Rich malts are balanced nicely by a round of dry hopping.  8.7% ABV.

Avery Brewing Co Old Jubilation:  Another English Old Ale, Old Jub is alway s a favorite amongst Colorado beer drinkers.  The 5 specialty malts used in this beer lend the rich complex malty flavors. This bad boy clocks in at 8.3%

Shiner Cheer: This beer is by far my favorite offering from the Shiner family. Made with peaches and pecans, this dunkelweizen is fruit forward with a light playful body, the pecans are there but as a backnote to the fruit. 5.4% ABV

Ska Euphoria:  How could a person not love this beer?  I mean it is in a can AND has a sweet underface (skull) rocking a knit cap and scarf making merriment in the snow?! I mean really awesome! As for the beer itself, it is a pale ale, a solid one at that.  So crisp and delicious no one would fault a person should they chose to shotgun it. 6.1% ABV.

Tommyknocker Cocoa Porter:  Chocolate bomb in beer form.  For an added treat try a shot of whipped cream vodka in this guy.

New Belgium Frambozen:  Tart and dark.  The malty backbone holds up nicely to to the fruit making this beer a balanced treat.  The raspberry comes through as a tart flavor not as a sweet berry.  A fruit beer for the non fruit beer drinking crowd. 6.5% ABV.

Sierra Nevada Celebration:  A good ol’ American IPA, what says winter better?  6.8% ABV

Kona Pipeline Porter:  One of my all time favorite coffee beers Pipeline porter is a delicious robust porter brewed with Kona coffee for a rich delicous but not too heavy treat.  Coming it at only 5.4% ABV this is one holiday beer that you could drink in bulk, like certain beer lovers who are addicted to coffee *may* do.

Oskar Blues Ten Fidy: A beer that pours like motor oil and is as black as Jess Hunter’s soul.  Delicious and dark.  Though tempting it may be, probably not wise to shotgun this beast. 10.5% ABV.

Deschutes Jubelale: This winter warmer is roasty and spicy like a good festive beer should be.  Slightly hoppier than other winter festive beers, this ruby colored pint is glorious.  Full of flavor and sass.  6.7% ABV

These are a few of my favorite festive winter beers. What are some of yours?

About Bess Dougherty

Bess Dougherty's life revolves around hooch. By day she has the pleasure of making beer. At night this dame can often be found sipping whiskey and beer around town. This bearcat is also an avid homebrewer. Yar.

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