When it starts getting pitch black at 4:30 p.m. and the temperature drops 25 degrees when the sun goes down, winter is coming. But unlike Jon Snow, we can seek salvation in seasonal beers!
Different breweries from around the state have begun rolling out their winter seasonals and are getting us ready for the cold months ahead. Without further ado, here are previews of some of the most popular winter brews Wisconsin breweries have to offer.
Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company — Snowdrift Vanilla Porter
Style
American Porter, 6 percent ABV
Aroma
Sweet and malty with vanilla notes coming through strongest
Appearance
Deep chocolate brown
Taste
Vanilla is fairly strong throughout, with coffee and roasted malt flavors also present, but really no hint of the cocoa
Room Temperature Taste
Vanilla stays fairly strong throughout as the coffee notes begin to fade
Consensus
Though a decent winter brew, I was expecting more of a balance between the coffee and cocoa flavors. While a decent porter, more could be done with the seemingly weak cocoa flavors.
Rating: 3.25/5
Capital Brewery — Winter Skål
Style
American Amber, 5.8 percent ABV
Aroma
Yeast and bread notes are strong, with a faint herbal hint as well
Appearance
Rust orange body with an off-white head
Taste
Taste follows the aroma, but caramel mixes well with the strong malt notes
Room Temperature Taste
Herbal flavors begin to fade and the breadiness becomes much stronger
Consensus
Different from most winter seasonals that I’ve had. I thought it was a decent take on an American Amber, but nothing distinct stuck out from the brew.
Rating: 3.5/5
Ale Asylum — Big Slick
Style
American Stout, 7 percent ABV
Aroma
Roasted malt notes are strong but not overwhelming, and hints of oats and coffee are there as well.
Appearance
Deep brown with a faint brown head
Taste
The beer has a strong oatmeal backbone, and the slightly bitter finish is coupled well with the coffee and faint barley flavors that come through near the end.
Room Temperature Taste
Oatmeal stays strong throughout with the coffee flavors fading faintly
Consensus
Ale Asylum rarely disappoints, and yet again they’ve got a great take on an Oatmeal Stout. The brew is well-balanced, flavorful and refreshing.
Rating: 4.25/5
New Glarus Brewing Company — Fat Squirrel
Style
Nut Brown Ale, 5.8 percent ABV
Aroma
Mix of bread and yeast notes along with slightly floral hoppy hint as well
Appearance
A deep brown amber color with a faint white head
Taste
Hazelnut and vanilla flavors come through strong, with hop hints creating a nice balance through the finish.
Room Temperature Taste
Hop flavors soon become slightly more bitter
Consensus
New Glarus is a legend in its own right, and Fat Squirrel is just another testament to their greatness. A well-balanced beer that combines great flavors, Fat Squirrel is an excellent winter month option.
Rating: 4.25/5
Stevens Point Brewery — St. Benedict’s Winter Ale
Style
Winter Warmer, 6.2 percent ABV
Aroma
Interesting combination of weak chocolate and fruity notes
Appearance
Deep purple
Taste
Chocolate flavor dominates throughout, coupled with a smooth coffee flavoring as well, and faint fruit flavors in the finish
Room Temperature Taste
Coffee flavoring begins to get stronger as the beer begins to sit
Consensus
A very unique beer, this winter ale from Point Brewery is pleasantly surprising and combines interesting flavors together to craft a great seasonal.
Rating: 4/5
These are just a few of the winter seasonals available currently, with others from popular Wisconsin craft beer outlets out as well, and some more on the way in the coming weeks. Keep your eyes out for some great beers, and enjoy the cold in the best way possible — with a thick beer blanket.
