Nick Larson and Jake Devincenzi
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Kinesiology senior Nick Larson and aerospace engineering senior Jake Devincenzi are Mustang News beer columnists.
For our final column of the calendar year, we want to send all our readers off with a challenge. We are calling it, “The 12 Beers of Whatever Winter Holiday You Choose to Celebrate or Not, It’s Your Choice.”
The challenge is simple: try each of the beers we will name off in this article. The prize? You get to drink each of the beers we name off in this article. The list is comprised of specially selected beers that are perfect for the freezing 65-degree winters we suffer through here in California.
We put this list in a particular order for a reason — not only to save the best for last, but to save your palate. Drinking beer is an art. For example, if you start your night with a Triple India Pale Ale (IPA), then decide to switch over to a blonde ale, the blonde will taste more like water than it normally does. The hops and high bitterness of the IPA with overtake your taste buds and taint the taste of your beers for the rest of the night. As a rule of thumb, if you get the chance to try out a couple beers in one day, try to plan them out. Generally, start with the beer that has the lowest number of international bitterness units and ascend with each beer. This is a simple way to get the best out of each beer. Nothing’s worse than wasting beer. Nothing.
Beer No. 1
Lost Coast Brewery | Eureka, Calif.
“Winterbraun”
A ramped-up version of the popular “Downtown Brown,” Winterbraun is a warm, robust brown ale sure to start your winter off right.
Beer No. 2
Rogue Ales | Newport, Ore.
“Santa’s Private Reserve”
With an amber/red color, this beer has a slight bite, unorthodox for a winter ale. However, it works when combined with the bready, earthy taste. Worst case, you get an awesome bottle for your collection.
Beer No. 3
Samuel Smith Old Brewery | England
“Organic Chocolate Stout”
We have already recommended this fantastic stout, but we are reemphasizing its greatness. Perfect for winter, the smooth, rich chocolate taste is warming and pleasant.
Beer No. 4
Grand Teton Brewing Company | Victor, Idaho
“Coming Home Holiday Ale 2013”
Every year, Grand Teton brings out its holiday ale, and every year it’s different. This year’s edition is a Belgian Dubbel. A dark, fruity beer that goes down easy, this is not one to miss.
Beer No. 5
Unibroue | Canada
“Trois Pistoles”
Every time we see a Unibroue bottle, we get excited. Their beer has a unique taste, and in this case, unique means amazing. This Belgian Strong Dark ale may look and sound daunting, but it’s possibly the best beer on this list.
Beer No. 6
Brouwerij Affligem | Belgium
“Affligem Noel”
Nearly a mirror image of Trois Pistoles, we included this for you to compare and contrast the two. Same style, same alcohol by volume. It’s a fair fight. You decide who wins.
Beer No. 7
Brouwerij Huyghe | Belgium
“Delirium Noel”
The pink elephant beer is back with a winter edition. You’re welcome for this, as it is also similar to beers No. 5 and No. 6. The quality of a brewery shines through here, as Noel represents the Delirium name well.
Beer No. 8
Stone Brewing Co. | Escondido, Calif.
“Imperial Russian Stout”
As we move on to the stouts, we’ll start you off right. Stone is well known for its fun on-site environment, but it also has the beer to back it up. 10.5 percent may seem strong, but just keep reading.
Beer No. 9
Left Coast Brewery | San Clemente, Calif.
“Voodoo Stout”
Okay, we lied. This is only 8.5 percent, but it has a very strong taste. A stout with a kick, it’s sure to wake you up at a boring family Christmas party.
Beer No. 10
Green Flash Brewing Company | San Diego, Calif.
“Double Stout Black Ale”
Keep waiting, the high alcohol content will come. But at 8.8 percent, this very dark black ale will warm the senses. With hints of outs, this is a very bold and full stout with a smooth finish.
Beer No. 11
AleSmith Brewing Company | San Diego, Calif.
“Speedway Stout”
Here it is: 12 percent. One of the top three stouts we’ve ever had, easily. It doesn’t taste like a high gravity beer. It goes down very smooth, and has a very big, bold taste. Perfect for sitting next to the fireplace and roasting marshmallows.
Beer No. 12
Shmaltz Brewing Company | Clifton Park, NY
“He’Brew Jewbelation Reborn (17)”
Shmaltz has been making good beers for a while, but this is the first beer it’s made at its own brewery. The former contract brewers are eccentric, and this beer exemplifies that. The theme is 17, for how many years it’s been around, but Shmaltz took it to a crazy level by including 17 malts, 17 hops and 17 percent alcohol by volume. There are too many factors in this beer to explain, so you’re going to have to try it for yourself. Just be prepared for a strong alcohol taste.
As always, if you have any questions or comments or endless praise, we can be reached on Twitter or at bhyrbrewing@gmail.com.
In addition, if anyone out there has all of these beers this winter break, send us a pic with all of them and we will give you a shout out in the next column. Also, we will take you out for a drink somewhere locally — on us — and geek out about beer. A prize doesn’t get much better than that.
Unfortunately, you won’t here from us until early 2014. We will be back with more great columns and more fun and informative topics.
Have a great winter break, and drink safely. Cheers!