Weyerbacher, Winter Ale
Easton, Pennsylvania

After all of that spice, Weyerbacher’s Winter Ale is a welcome departure. The darkest of the bunch, this winter ale dispenses with the idea that a beer has to bombard the senses with cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves (it’s surprising no one has tried making a beer with myrrh) in order to get across the idea of holiday cheer. With just a lingering hint of spice, Weyerbacher’s smooth flavor of chocolate and caramel still manages to capture a nice festive flavor. While not the best brown ale on store shelves, it’s a pleasant detour from most beers marketed as winter ales, and it comes with a refreshingly small price tag to boot.