Lifestyles

Winter craft beers contribute to seasonal mirthful spirits with dark, malt-laden, one-of-a-kind and, occasionally, zany offerings.

These brews are a perfect choice for toasting and merry-making. Pittsburgh's own craft-beer guru, Tony Knipling of Vecenie Distributing Co., recently provided an overview of the cold-weather brews appearing daily in our region's premium bottle shops, progressive pubs and well-stocked distributors.

According to Knipling, Vermont's good citizens lead the nation in per-capita beer consumption, not surprising, given the Green Mountain State's robust craft brewing culture. He highlights Vermont's Otter Creek Brewery Winter Ale--Raspberry Brown Special Release as "a fruit beer with a little punch, but not an in-our-face fruit bomb."

Generous proportions of crystal and chocolate malts in the initial boil create this brew's lovely deep-brown color. Malt-laden aromas and mellow flavors extenuate the delightful touch of raspberry fruit. Light hop aromas deftly balance the fruitiness and 5.8 percent alcohol.

Kalamazoo, Mich.-based Bell's Brewery -- home of founder Larry Bell's Eccentric Cafe, where customers who show up clad in "eccentric" garb can party the night through on Dec. 7 -- annually releases four dark, malty, stout beers with at least 7 percent alcohol and a twist. For example, Bell's Cherry Stout uses Michigan cherries for a big, tart fruity finish, while Bell's Java Stout blends classic stout and Sumatra coffee for a tasty, high-octane brew.

Going in a completely different direction, Bell's Brewery Winter White Ale uses American wheat and classic German Hefe and Belgian yeasts for a spicy, fruity brew with a clean, frothy finish. "While winter is dark and bleak," Bell says, "your beer doesn't have to be."

In rolling out Victory Hop Wallop Ale, Downingtown, Pa.'s Victory Brewing Co. takes the notion of "hopping up" to a new dimension.

"It packs a hop punch with 8.5 percent alcohol," Knipling says.

German malts provide the dark-gold color and power, while American whole-flour hops contribute to this mellow brew's robust aromas and a clean, bitter finish.

The ever popular Victory Storm King Imperial Stout began as a winter seasonal, but now thirsty aficionados enjoy the brew year round. The beer's deep, dark color, rich malt flavors and potent 9.1 percent alcohol make for a mellow glass, while Pacific Northwest hops add pleasant bitterness in the warm finish.

Erie Brewing Co. weighs in with Erie Brewing 'Ol Red Cease and Desist Scottish Ale. This deep amber-colored ale has rich malt and caramel flavors and ample hop bitterness balancing a whopping 10.1 percent alcohol.

Closer to home and available at the brewery in reusable half-gallon glass growlers, East End Brewing Co.'s Snowmelt Ale has mahogany color offering rich, malted aromas and flavors with a slightly spicy finish. Again, subtle hops balance the 7 percent alcohol. Owner and brewer Scott Smith welcomes the thirsty at the brewery at 6923 Susquehanna St. in Homewood.

Over in Lawrenceville, Sean Casey's Church Brew Works at 3525 Liberty Ave. recently launched Thunderhop India Pale Ale for the holiday season. Liberal use of Chinook and Glacier hops in the boil creates this brew's intense hop aromas and flavors with a pleasant bitter finish. An ample load of malts create a deep amber color and malted, caramel flavors with 6 percent alcohol. Church Brew Works' popular variety case now includes this robust holiday IPA.

Spanish Red Wine

Stretching from the untamed Pyrenees Mountains on the northern French border across a wide, sweeping plain to the high plateaus of Castilla y Leon and La Mancha, Spain's semi-autonomous Aragón region features full-throttle reds packed with heady aromas, ripe flavors and power. Try this robust, well-balanced red wine with either roast beef or pasta with a spicy red sauce:

2005 Atteca, Garnacha "Old Vines," Calatayud, Spain (specialty 25525, $14.99): Made from grapes grown on 100-year-old hillside wines planted in cool, arid conditions, this snappy wine offers ripe blackberry and plum aromas with concentrated, fruity blackberry and raspberry flavors. Soft, silky tannins and lively acidity balance the fruity, robust finish. Highly Recommended.

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