festive ales for winter months

European brewing traditions often designate certain beer styles for specific seasons.
When "Old Man Winter" arrives, many breweries around the world release winter
beers–stronger, darker beers that sometimes include spices and offer a fully body
and warming finish. In England, "winter warmers," beers of deep, rich flavors and
higher alcohol, have tempered winter's chill and nourished frigid constitutions for
centuries. If standard, yellow American lagers are comparable to a light summer
salad, then classic winter ales are akin to a hearty, warm stew.

By Owen Ogletree
Photo by Dennis McDaniel