Cozy Up To Winter Warmers

The days are growing shorter, and there is more than just a bit of a nip in the air.

Time to snuggle up with something tall, dark and handsome. Well, yeah, my husband, too. But I was thinking more in terms of a nice winter warmer.

Winter warmers are special beers that are brewed for enjoyment during the holidays. Just like Grandma's eggnog, Aunt Louise's rum balls or your brother's famous cheese fondue, winter warmers are special because they only come out once a year -- and because they are mighty tasty.

And just like all good cooks, brewers enjoy showing off a little when they create their winter warmers for the holidays -- something I especially look forward to year after year.

Traditionally, winter warmers are hearty, heady brews that are meant for sipping. And because the flavors are usually very complex -- brewers often add oranges, cinnamon, clove, coriander or cranberries for example -- many beer lovers enjoy a winter warmer beside a roaring fire or after dinner, like a liqueur or a glass of port. In fact, a number of winter warmers possess chocolate, coffee or fruity flavors that easily accompany desserts. Some of us even prefer them for dessert.

Additionally, because of their lovely hues -- often ranging from dark amber to deep copper to opaque black -- winter warmers can hold their own in pretty glasses or goblets at the dinner table. The last thing you would want is a frosty mug for these brews, which are best served, like red wine, at cellar temperature. And, because of their complexity, winter warmers do well with heartier meals that often accompany the holidays. The acidity in wines often "fights" the flavors in big dinners, but beer will often compliment them. Try a rich, malty winter warmer with your roasted turkey or pair the holiday ham with a beer flavored with cherries or cranberries. Ask a local beer expert (brewer, bottle shop, taphouse owner) for local recommendations. I bet they will more than go out of their way to help you find the perfect beer for your holiday feast!

Many winter warmers are higher in alcohol than even your average craft beer, often reaching the levels of barley wines, which, like their grape counterparts, can be upward of 14 percent alcohol. But don't fret. Many winter warmers can still warm your heart and your tootsies with as little as 5-6 percent alcohol, which means your head won't feel like Santa's reindeer landed on it the next morning.

Also, much like wine, many winter warmers can benefit from "laying down" for future enjoyment because of their higher alcohol content -- a fact that makes for great gift-giving opportunities for the beer lover in your life. As the beer ages (under proper cellaring conditions), it takes on different flavors. Some beer fans like to store away several different years of the same winter warmer to enjoy in a "vertical tasting" -- a sampling of each years' worth of the same beer in one sitting.

Most winter warmers are available locally, from your nearby microbrewery, or, regionally, in the case of some of the larger craft breweries. But the big brewers are getting into the act as well. And some of the best winter warmers are imported from Europe, where the tradition dates back for centuries and can be traced to the historic "wassail." To find some to sample in your area, look for holiday-related names and labels that look, well, wintry.

But hurry. Like the fading hours of daylight this time of year, winter warmers don't stick around very long.

Liquid Solutions was a recipient of the Beer Journalism Awards in 2004. You can reach Lisa Morrison at lisa@ibsys.com