Visit the Shut up about Barclay Perkins site


Winter Warmer, an English style, is described thus:

"These malty sweet offerings tend to be a favorite winter seasonal. Big malt presence, both in flavor and body. The color ranges from brownish reds to nearly pitch black. Hop bitterness is generally low, leveled and balanced, but hop character can be pronounced. Alcohol warmth is not uncommon.

Many English versions contain no spices, though some brewers of spiced winter seasonal ales will slap "Winter Warmer" on the label. Those that are spiced, tend to follow the "wassail" tradition of blending robust ales with mixed spices, before hops became the chief "spice" in beer. American varieties many have a larger presences of hops both in bitterness and flavor."
I'm confused. Spiced winter seasonal beers. Does anyone know which beers they're talking about? I can think of two English beers called Winter Warmer: Young's, which is a Burton and Sam Smith's, which is pale. Neither fits the guidelines.

I thought KKKK was the winter seasonal.

Confused. I shouldn't read American style guidelines. They funny up my head.


More...