by Matt Kelchner
We’re finally in 2015. You’ve managed to survive the manic shopping trips and busy family dinners and got through the first few days of the year. Congratulations. To reward yourself, go out and fetch a nice cold one. If you’re burnt out from the onslaught of pumpkin brews and Christmas ales there’s no need to fear, we’ve got you covered. There are a lot of great seasonal selections that are available to help you ring in the new year and we compiled a list of our favorites to share with you. And seeing how we live in one of, if not the best, sections of the country for beer, each one below is native to Pennsylvania.
Forest & Main Brewing Company – Telemachus – Barleywine: When the temperatures start to dip, it’s time to reach for the heavy hitting Barleywines. With ABVs right around the 10%+ area, it’s not going to take much to warm you up. Look no further than to Ambler’s Forest & Main Brewing Company for one of the area’s top selections. Brewed with sweet orange blossom honey, Telemachus pours a beautiful golden color and slips in tastes of citrus fruits, grapes and toffee. To get a glass, you will have to make a trip up to the young brewpub, which is housed in a 19th century mansion. Trust us, it’s well worth the trip.
Tired Hands Brewing Company – Monodimension – Amber Grisette: 2014 was a great year for the folks at Ardmore’s Tired Hands Brewing Company. Not only have they been winning awards locally, the brewpub has also caught the eye more national outlets like Savuer and Coolmaterial.com. This winter, they have unleashed their Monodimension to the masses. It’s made with red winter wheat and Belgian D2 syrup. With notes of raspberry, cherries and plums, this sweet treat is just what you need to chase the winter blues away. Like Forest & Main, you can only find the creations of Tired Hands right at the source.
Tröegs – Blizzard of Hops – Winter IPA: Blizzard of Hops is the Tröegs brothers’ salute to the end of the hop season. Following after Cultivator Helles Bock and Hop Knife, Blizzard of Hops is the third and final in Tröegs series of seasonal IPAs. It’s lighter in color than most IPAs but don’t think that takes away from the hoppy flavor. You can find Blizzard of Hops in Blue Dog Pub in Landsdale, Blue Dog Tavern in Chalfont and Sidecar in Philadelphia. And if you don’t feel like going out to get a taste, Blizzard of Hops is also found your local bottle shop.
Neshaminy Creek Brewing Company – Mudbank Milk Stout: NCBC’s wet hopped The Shape Of Hops To Come may have been one of the best beers we had in all of 2014. Since you cannot find it now, you might as well try their winter milk stout. It’s loaded with several different malts and hops, on top of a whole lot of 2-Row barley. The fun doesn’t stop there though. Mudbank Milk Stout also comes in coconut and imperial chocolate iterations as well. Right now just 320 Market Cafe in Swarthmore is pouring Mudbank Milk Stout but you can find all three versions of it in your bottle shop.
Shake Shack/Victory Beer – Shack Frost Ale: Delicious patty-flipping good hamburgers meet award-winning local brewery. Shake Shack and their fresh take on fast food have been a hit ever since landing in Philly. Now they are teaming up with one of our best, Victory Brewing Company for a special winter ale. The Shack Frost Ale can only be found in the handful of Shake Shack locations in the greater Philadelphia area and only just this season. The ale weighs more on the lighter side to help counterbalance the heaviness of their burgers. Head over to Shake Shack now before the Shack Frost Ale runs out!
