Shep’s Recs for Darker Days
By Mark Ewald, aka Shep
Thanks for everyone that didn’t give up on their snow dance! It worked! VT is such a special place during the winter and especially with snow. These last storms were perfect (boy did we need it!) and perfectly timed to coincide with a holiday. All the snow and cold got me thinking about those special beers that we have in our book, beers to enjoy on these oh-so-VT winter days and nights! You know the ones, like when you get back to the lot and take your boots off after a great day on the pow, or after shoveling that new 10” on your deck, or after a good day skating, or when you’re posted up next to a fire, or …. You know what I mean. Your customers do too. They are looking for winter appropriate beers right now - Tis’ the season! - beers like Stouts, Porters, Baltic Porter, Barley Wine, Doppelbock, Dark Lagers, Belgian Quads,Winter Warmers, Imperial Stouts are go time. VT’s weather is perfect for enjoying these winter beers to the fullest right now and, man, do they hit the spot in this cold! It makes me thirsty just thinking about it…
Here are some of my faves for this time of year:
Augustiner Edelstoff Lager is, well…not dark at all, but Shep swears there may not be a better beer apré anything you do outside. It’s super refreshing, crisp, clean, thirst quenching, and straight up deliciousness on all levels! It’s a classic from Munich, in all in unpasteurized glory. This one please all types of beer peeps.
High Water Campfire Stout is straight fire! Not smokey fire, but you get the idea. This beer always surprises in its super drinkability. The marshmallow in the nose makes you think its going to be a sweet sugar bomb, but then the first sip is clean and roasty, chocolatey and dry, with a hint of sweet graham cracker without any cloying sweetness. Campfire Stout is a multiple GABF winner and sells all year round, but now is the season. This beer is perfect around the fire and do I even need to say that it pairs great with, you guessed it, S’Mores! Rumor has it an imperial campfire may be making it to the Green Mountains soon.
Schilling Kamarade Baltic Porter is big, rich & malty with a smooth as silk finish with enough alcohol to warm you up on these cold winter nights! The great tan head hides the perfectly balanced black beer in the glass that is dry and sweet at the same time! It’s great beer for sippin’ by a cozy fireplace or chillin on the sofa in front of the TV. Kamarade is great with most chocolate deserts and is out of this world mixed with a little floater of Grand Marnier!
Anderson Valley Winter Solstice Winter Warmer, as you can tell, is a winter themed beer, but you may not know that this is an iconic example of the style that has fans all over the country. This is one of Anderson Valley’s most sought after releases of the year and for good reason. This beer is another beer that is perfectly paired with deserts like pumpkin pie, gingerbread and chocolate brownies and poached pears. It’s malty, caramel-y and spicy with hints of cinnamon, allspice, and licorice. This leads to a perfectly balanced beer that finishes malty and clean with a lingering warm spice! Winter Warmer at it finest!
This is dark beer’s time to shine and Shep’s portfolio is loaded with great ones beyond the list above. Check out our dark beer selections as many of these have been curated to be here right now for a reason!