This time of year, short days give way to early darkness, the weather turns cold, and an endless train of familiar Christmas tunes begins blaring out of audio orifices in every public space. The restlessness and exasperation build, but do not despair — adult beverages are nearby to help maintain a festive mood. Winter seasonal brews can take many forms, everything from pie spicy malt bombs to bitter smoky stouts and boozy slick high ABV monster brews. No matter where your style preferences lean, you’re in luck; a slew of great holiday beers are available in the Tampa Bay area, each with a unique personality and holiday cheer-making potential.
When it comes to domestic craft offerings, several brews stand out from the bunch. Heavy Seas Winter Storm by Baltimore’s Clipper City Brewing is a tremendously tasty 7.3% ABV Imperial ESB dry hopped with quintessential American Northwest strains. The biscuity flavor of Pale, Crystal, Carapils and Munich malt provides a calm backdrop for the squall of piney citric bitterness imparted by Magnum, Fuggles, Cascade, Centennial and Chinook hops.
This article appears in Dec 30, 2009 – Jan 5, 2010.