So after a disturbingly warm season to date, Alberta was smacked with full frontal winter last week. Some complain, but I see it as just part of the price of living in the ungodly north. Bundle up and you are fine. My dogs didn’t even skip their daily walk (albeit we shortened it). I usually just go with the flow.
But a comment from an acquaintance last week, during the depths of the freeze, spawned my CBC column topic last Friday. They opined that beer is just not the beverage for -30 degrees. I heartily disagreed but then decided I should remind Edmonton CBC listeners that there is a beer for all seasons. Which is exactly what I did (you can listen here).
The approach was simple. Describe the characteristics in beer that actually lend themselves to cold weather and then offer a few suggestions. Even though there were a few options, I decided to sample Alley Kat’s Old Deuteronomy on air, as it is a nice example of a warming barley wine that isn’t too heavy or hoppy. The guest host didn’t quite take to it, unfortunately.
Admittedly it is not one of my best columns. In hindsight I think I should have approached the topic a bit differently. Plus the beer I selected may have been too challenging. Something a bit more inviting for an untrained palate would have been better – like Yukon Lead Dog. Alas, they can’t all be gems.
Still, I think I make a useful point. A warming barley wine, a Belgian tripel or a hearty stout can be just as effective as a snifter of brandy, a wee dram of scotch or other “warming” beverages. Too often beer gets pigeon-holed as a summer time, party drink, in part because 95% of beer sold in North America is only good for that (if anything at all). So an effort, even a flawed one like mine, to expand drinkers’ horizons can only be a good thing.
And next week I vow to do better with my CBC column.
January 25, 2012 at 12:06 AM
I had an Olde Deuteronomy just over a week ago(when it was -27).. Also have a bottle of Glenda Sherbrooke awaiting the next cold(ish??;-))snap-barrel aged Olde Deut… . And I tried a fairly good Danish Barleywine that Jeff Werstiuk blogged about, Djaevlebryg’s Old Mephisto…it should age well(I’ll need to get one or two more).
http://www.sherbrookeliquor.com/blog/2012/01/05/old-mephisto/
January 25, 2012 at 11:13 PM
There are any number of beers that go with the cold weather. Like some of the ones you’ve listed, the most obvious choices include the beers with a higher alcohol content, and I’d add Baltic porters and wee heavies to that list. But I crave all sorts during the winter, including a good pale ale, IPA, bock, etc, that doesn’t have to be over the top in alcohol.
I think it comes back to the marketing that tries to convince us that cold is a flavor, and why would you want to drink something that “tastes cold” in the winter. The fact is, the majority of beers that don’t fall in the 95% sold are best when they aren’t served ice cold to begin with. I would therefore argue that any beer that actually has a flavor other than “cold” could be a good choice in the winter, especially if you drink it in the 10-15 degree range.
As for Olde Deut, the first time I tried it back in 2003, I didn’t like it at all, but I didn’t know what I was drinking back then. So yes, it’s a pretty hard hitter for an unseasoned palate. But the same could be said for the first time someone tries their first drink of scotch, or even a full-bodied red wine. The bolder flavors are an acquired taste, but it’s a taste worth acquiring. 🙂
January 27, 2012 at 8:38 PM
I must admit Ernie, that especially in this ‘climate change winter’ we’re having I’m more likely to have the odd IPA or Amber Ale(or two)…yes, even the odd lager (once in awhile). But stouts, porters, brown ales & the odd belgian or barleywine are pretty much my winter mainstays. I did though, try a couple pints of Big Rock’s Heavy Ale on tap at The Pourhouse & quite enjoyed that. And just the other evening I had a couple pints of the Dusseldorf Alt at Brewsters(Oliver Square), I hope they keep that around awhile – I liked that alot.