Friday Night Pints

Brrr ... and other beers

Hey everybody, winter got here! With snow already falling in some parts of the Mountain West and Christmas commercials starting in earnest, I guess it’s winter. Along with that comes blackout season for people who unsuspectingly go into my beer fridge and “pick something out.” It’s always funny when I stock up on stouts and winter beers then people open them thinking they are a light lager or an amber or something. The face they make reminds me of those old bitter beer face commercials from the 80’s. Hilarious. Every, single, time. I’m excited to share these winter wonders with you today, because not only were they pretty damn good, but they would give somebody that face. Enjoy!

Uinta Port O’ Call 

Named after Utah’s only famous bar, this Belgian-style dark ale pours dark amber with a thick white head that sticks to the glass. Fig, brown sugar, spicy hops and bubblegum on the nose. Pretty hoppy, more like a barleywine than a Belgian-Style Quad. Spicy hops, dark, overripe fruit and wine barrel on the palate. The prominent barrel on the finish with fig and toasted marshmallow. This would probably be pretty amazing after a year or two in the cellar. It’s plenty hoppy to stand up to some time, for sure. Part of Uinta’s Pro Line, which says this is release two out of five. 9.5% abv 80 IBU. Found in 16oz cans at Brewer’s Haven and around town. 

Widmer Brrr Hoppy Red

It pours dark amber red with an off-white color head that sticks to the glass. Piney hops and caramel notes on the nose. Spice and pine with caramel and maple syrup on the palate along with a touch of caramel and dark fruit. Not overly sweet because the booze comes in to round the beer off nicely. It’s a very nice red winter ale from the Widmer Bros. 7.2% abv 75 IBU. Found in 12oz cans and on tap all around town. 

Left Hand Candy Cane Nitro Imperial Peppermint Milk Stout

It’s a seasonal nitro stout from Left Hand! This p[ours inky black with a creamy white head and lots of nitrogen. Be sure to pour it quickly and violently into the glass, as if the spout of the can were the tap’s faucet. Peppermint on the nose with chocolate, like a peppermint patty. Peppermint, chocolate, milk sugar, roasty malts and booze on the palate. This stout has a kick to it which is weird for a nitro stout. These stouts are typically lighter in body, but not this one. Big, boozy and minty. The mint here isn’t bad. It isn’t balanced or anything, but the milk sugar, chocolate and booze offer more flavor that sort of offsets the mint. The lack of carbonation puts those flavors out front, naked and alone. Grab one and see what you think before going for a four-pack. Cool can. 9.2% 20 IBU. Found in 16oz cans wherever they sell Left Hand. 

Schilling Excelsior Baked Apple Pie Imperial Cider

This cider pours straw yellow with a thin white head that quickly disappears back into the glass. Apple pie flavors of cinnamon, sugar with sweet crust and Granny Smith apple on the nose. Very nice aromas. Nutmeg, apple pie filling, cinnamon and green apple tartness on the palate. Finishes tart. The apple pie flavor is heightened by the big alcohol in this cider. It’s one of the first high-alcohol ciders that actually uses that heat to accentuate the flavor of the cider. Reminds me of D’s Baked Apple cider in all the good ways. 8.4% abv. Found wherever you buy Schilling ciders. 

Fort George Tide Land Stout

Fort George is putting out some bangers this year. All those fresh hop beers and fun single hop IPAs came out over the summer and now this certified beer nerd stout, Tide Land Stout. Tide Land is a blended stout: made with barrel-aged and fresh sweet stouts. It pours black as can be with a caramel-colored head that sits atop the beer. Chocolate, toasted marshmallow, whiskey barrel and toffee on the nose. Barrel is subtle, but definitely there. It’s got a slight whiskey note within all the marshmallows and roasted malts. The blend is interesting with notes of whiskey, roasted malts, chocolate and graham cracker with toasted marshmallow … maybe they should call this a S’more Stout … anyway, there's lots going on here for a lighter beer. I love the idea - a full-flavored stout that you can session - but the flavors need a little tweaking. Try it if you enjoy sweet stouts. 5% 20 IBU. Found in 12oz cans anywhere they sell Fort George.