As is inevitably the case, the unseasonably warm weather that we have been blessed with has ceded to the much more seasonable, and unpleasant cold weather. Bundle up with copious amounts of layers, turn up the heat, and cuddle with the loved one(s):  all reasonable ways to stay warm this increasingly frigid and darkening winter. A much more delicious way is to find a few delightful concoctions from our local, national and yes, international brewmasters to give us that nice warm feeling all over. Below are some of those brews appropriate for the impending bleakness of December.

1. Ithaca Gorges Smoked Porter is an extremely dark, almost black beer. This delectable beer comes with a pleasant malty aroma and very little head. It is an extremely smooth brew with a slight chocolate malt taste. There is very low carbonation, not unusual for a dark porter. The Smoked Porter goes down easily with a great finish and not bitter whatsoever. The taste is full, but not overbearing. Unfortunately, this beer doesn’t provide the aforementioned warming sensation, but by all means give this beverage a try. I’m not sure I would actively look for this beer, but if I happened upon a bar dispensing it from a tap, it would probably be my first choice.

2. As a casual fan of most of Samuel Adams’ variety of beer, happening upon the opportunity to try a specialty brew on tap was something I couldn’t pass up. Sam Adams Chocolate Bock (found at Ginger Man on East 36th Street), is a flavorful drink, perhaps a little too much so, at least at first. Not really sure what exactly to expect, this beer seemed too strong at first taste, but as the beer warmed up a little and my palette got used to the flavor, this beer became more delicious and comforting with every sip. Despite being a chocolate bock, there really wasn’t any sort of chocolaty flavor. The taste of the beer does linger a bit, but is in no way unpleasant. I can’t see myself searching for this beer and being incredibly enthusiastic about getting it again, however, I would still recommend giving a try at least once.

3. A fair number of people, at least that I know, would see a beer brewed with bananas and really not be interested whatsoever. But where some may get turned off by the things that seem to not go well together, I become curious. Although this beer, Well’s Banana Bread Beer, only seems to be available in a bottle, it is still a highly recommended treat. The aroma from this beer is 100% bananas, and not in the annoying, overplayed Gwen Stefani way. It is an amber-colored beer that even when poured from a bottle lacks any sort of head. It sits light in the stomach with a high level of carbonation. While the banana taste doesn’t match the strength of the aroma, it is extremely pleasant. The taste doesn’t linger and there is no unpleasant aftertaste. This is a solid beer all around and one that I would seek out.

4. With a name like Captain Lawrence Liquid Gold, one would probably have high expectations, as I did, of a beer so egotistical. Having already informally named a beer local to upstate New York “liquid gold” because it was, and still is, the best beer I’ve ever had (something to be discussed, most likely at some point in an article of it’s own), I was a bit skeptical of this beer. The beer is light in color with no head and a fairly high level of carbonation. The beer presents with a fruity aroma. From both it’s appearance and aroma, I thought I was about to dive into another fruit-beer concoction along the lines of a Blue Moon or Purple Haze. Turns out the brewers at Captain Lawrence had me fooled. The only way to describe this beer is as a one-for-one mix of an IPA or other hops-heavy brew and a fruit beer, like the aforementioned Blue Moon (except fruitier). Much like the banana beer, this initially doesn’t sound like a great idea, but this beer is quite good. If I happened upon another bar with this beer available, it would be a first or second choice, although I’m not sure this beer is for everyone. I might leave this one to the more adventurous and open-minded beer imbiber.

5. Venturing to the uncharted (at least for me, since I’ve only really been here for less than a year and don’t own a car), confines of Williamsburg, Brooklyn to visit with a fellow beer enthusiast and sparingly seen friend, I was taken to a small, closet-like store stacked floor to ceiling with beer I have never seen before in my entire life. Both of us, completely enamored by a tall bottle wrapped in paper with “Winterscothale” written on it, inquired about such a beer. “It’s a Belgian beer brewed with butterscotch,” replied the proprietor of the previously-mentioned store, “It’s from last year, so it’s dried out a little bit.” Butterscotch? We were sold. The beer, Canaster Winterscotch Ale brewed in Belgium, is a dark, cloudy brown unfiltered ale. It has a sweet, slightly fruity aroma with a light head and a fairly unique taste. The drinking experience is a high carbonation affair. Despite the initial bite, it is a sweet, easy to drink beer with a slightly smoky, but pleasant finish. It has a very enjoyable warming feeling, most likely due to its 9.5% ABV level. It is a bit bitter which could be from the fact that it is from last year and has had some time to age. I would consider having this beer again, but am not so sure it would be a first choice walking in to a bar or store. This beer is probably better suited as a nightcap to a fun time out with friends.

As is always the case, even in the darkest, coldest times of the long winter, beer is meant to be enjoyed, not abused. Taste these and other beers in all of their glory, but don’t go overboard. No one likes a reckless drunk. Happy Holidays to all of the wonderful readers and Happy Drinking!

Written by Greg Marchilena