The January forecast predicts mild days with temperatures above freezing most nights. But even if it’s raining instead of snowing, winter is still the season to celebrate darker, more robust beer styles, such as barleywines, Belgian ales, porters and stouts.
These eight beers cover much of that range, from year-round and seasonal offerings to venerable classics.
Big Shanty — The year-round graham cracker stout from Kennesaw's Burnt Hickory Brewing is definitely big at 9% alcohol. Brewed with honey, cinnamon and real graham crackers, it's described as "a roasty, yet sweet milk stout." And it makes a fun pairing with desserts, including chocolates, cookies and cheesecake.
Declaration Stout — This award-winning Russian imperial stout from Canton's Reformation Brewing is described as "a tried-and-true classic." At 9.7% alcohol, it's dark, full-bodied and rich with roasted aromas and flavors. Reformation recommends pairing it with vanilla or coffee ice cream, dark chocolate or creme brûlée.
Feest Noel — A Belgian-style quadrupel from Decatur's Three Taverns Brewery, this spiced Christmas ale is described as "merriment in a glass." A limited release during the holiday season, it's still worth searching out this month. At 10% alcohol, it features dark roasted malts, Belgian dark candy sugar, and cardamom, allspice and cloves.
Koko Buni — Not the Easter bunny, this winter seasonal offering from Athens' Creature Comforts Brewery is available in mid-December. The 6.5% alcohol milk porter is made with toasted coconut, coffee beans from 1000 Faces Coffee, and cocoa nibs from Ethereal Confections and Condor Chocolates. The result is a sweet and creamy treat.
Old Foghorn — The original barleywine-style ale from San Francisco's historic Anchor Brewing was first brewed in 1975. Described as "highly hopped, fermented with a true top-fermenting ale yeast, and carbonated by a natural process called 'bunging' to produce champagne-like bubbles," this 10% alcohol sipper is a perfect after-dinner drink.
Rochefort "10" — Also known as the "Blue Cap," this classic Belgian Trappist ale from Rochefort is the brewery's strongest of its numbered offerings. At 11.3%, it's brewed with barley malt, Belgian candi sugar, hops, coriander and a distinctive abbey yeast, giving it lush aromas and flavors and a soft, creamy mouthfeel.
Westmalle Dubbel — Another classic Belgian Trappist ale, this one from the monks of Westmalle, at 7% alcohol, is a bit lighter on the palate but still rich and complex thanks to bottle conditioning. Described as exhibiting caramel, malt and fruity esters reminiscent of ripe banana, it's well-balanced and very food-friendly.
Wake-n-Bake — A seasonal favorite for over a decade from Athens' Terrapin Beer Co., this flavorful, full-bodied imperial oatmeal stout is made with a special coffee blend from Athens' Jittery Joe's. At 9.4% alcohol, it's a winter warmer with a culinary bent. And Terrapin's annual Wake-n-Bake Off returns to the brewery Jan. 26.
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