What We’re Drinking Now: Post-Holiday Winter Beers

With the gifts unwrapped and a fridge full of leftovers, today we’re kicking back with family, friends and a few favorite seasonal brews—here’s a taste of what we’re drinking now:

Oysters and stout beer have long shared a history, and this new collaborative release from 21^st Amendment updates the old English classic by combining a dense, chocolaty stout with crushed oyster shells from Bay Area Hog Island Oyster Company. It’s everything we’ve come to expect from the style with rich, roasted malt flavors followed by a crisp, clean, briny finish.

The latest release in Deschutes’ rotating seasonal lineup, this sessionable winter ale combines peppery hops with tangerine zest and a touch of malt on the finish. 

Goose Island Mild Winter

This recent seasonal from Goose Island offers warming favors of toasted malts, caramel, dried fruits and a hint of rye spice.

9.2% ABV, Richmond, Virginia

Combining fresh baby ginger with a generous dose of Virginia-local honey, this hearty stout combines some of our favorite seasonal flavors—think gingersnaps, herbs and baking spice—into one brew. Those lucky enough to live in the Richmond, Virginia area can currently spy it on taps around town, and while it might be tough for those of us in other regions to get a taste, it’s worth the hunt.

6.8% ABV, San Diego, California

Yet another creative collaborative release from Stone, this tri-hopped black saison enlisted the brewing prowess of the minds behind Baltimore’s Stillwater Brewing and Denmark’s Evil Twin for rich, wintry flavors of smoky chocolate, dried figs and slight warming herbs on the finish.