Winter Beer Recommendations

Winter's that time of year when I transition from golden and amber ales, which complement breezy fall weather so well, and delve into brown ales, stouts, porters, and maybe even a few heavier lagers. I usually don't have a lot of patience for sweet, syrupy beers if they aren't balanced out by a decent hop profile, but short days and blankets of snow have a way of convincing my palate to lust for those thick, malty brews. It must be my inner caveman crying out for more calories to survive the cold. Anyway, I'd like to share a few of my recommendations for good winter beers. Many of these pair exceptionally well with holiday fare.

1. Elliot Ness - Great Lakes Brewing, Cleveland, OH. Elliot Ness is a pleasant domestic take on a Vienna lager. It has a malty aroma and a slightly sweet finish. Bring some to Thanksgiving dinner. I've paired it with smoked turkey; very tasty. It can carry you through the meal and stand up to the dessert course as well. A good beer to share with craft virgins too, as its lager body makes it more accessible.

2. Bell's Best Brown Ale - Bell's Brewing, Kalamazoo, MI. Larry, you need to bring back the old bottle art with the little sleepy owl! I'm not digging the new guy as much. The beer is a deep sienna color. It's very turbid and unfiltered, as most Bell's brews are. Best Brown is kind of like their amber ale, except the toasted barley flavor is jacked up a few more notches. The hops balance it out for a clean finish. This is a good snow shovelin' beer (winter equivalent of a "lawnmower beer"). I would pair it with pork tenderloin and roasted herbed potatoes.

3. Breakfast Stout - Founders Brewing, Grand Rapids, MI. I've always talked about how this beer would actually be delicious to have with breakfast, and I recently got a chance to experience this pairing! A few friends and I attended the Breakfast Stout Breakfast that Founders put on this year and it was amazing. The dark roastiness of the beer was delightful with bacon and grits, and the significant ABV kept us warm in the misty November morning air.

4. Dragon's Milk - New Holland Brewing, Holland, MI. Oaky aroma with a syrupy, vanilla taste. Spoon some over warm pecan pie topped with ice cream. I really enjoyed the toasted chili Reserve Dragon's Milk that New Holland released earlier this year, and I can't wait for the raspberry one that comes out this fall.

5. Rye-on-Rye - Boulevard Brewing, Kansas City, MO. At 12% ABV, it's a real winter warmer. Slight caramelly sweetness is balanced by a modest hop profile and a gentle bite of rye. Pair with an aged cheddar or Uniekaas Reserve.