Winter Warmers -- Thoughts and Ideas?

I think your first decision will have to be whether you want a rich, malty, dark beer (like Jubelale if I'm recalling that beer correctly) or a beer with spices added such as cinnamon, clove, etc. and then proceed from there.

There was a thread a couple months ago on the topic that should be helpful, and you'll find it here in a list from a search that I did looking for 'holiday' in the thread title. https://www.beeradvocate.com/community/search/68125425/?q=holiday&o=date&c[title_only]=1&c[node]=8

And here is another search link using 'winter' in the thread title: https://www.beeradvocate.com/community/search/68125421/?q=Winter&o=date&c[title_only]=1&c[node]=8

Happy reading.

 

I am a personal fan of the rich malty versions. I do like a small amount of spices added though. Goose Island makes (or made i did not see it last year) a winter warmer that I loved.

 

Of the winter seasonals I have had and enjoyed, they tend to be a bit dry. Personally I find many recent examples are too heavy on the spruce and spice and tend to be very difficult to get through. These big and bold beers have so much going on that the addition of crystal, lactose or anything in the brewing process that makes the finish sweet is a distraction and almost unbearable. A winter should be enjoyable at a very specific time and place, special and noteworthy. Drinking a warmer is an event, and we have high expectations.

A winter welcome that is subtle, with not too much caramel or sweet malt backbone, that is something I should try to brew. A little spice goes a long way.

That's just my 2 cents anyway. Something to consider.
Cheers.

 

Winter Warmer is the allegedly the heir to Burton Ale. Here is a list of Burton Ale recipes from ‘s Barclay-Perkins blog, if you felt like getting historical.
Recipe Style date posted
1942 Barclay Perkins KK Burton 5/6/2009
1936 Barclay Perkins KKKK Burton 2/7/2009
1943 Whitbread XXXX Burton 9/6/2009
1936 Barclay Perkins KKKK Burton 1/7/2009
1951 Lees "C" Ale Burton 25/07/2010
1942 Barclay Perkins KK Burton 2/3/2011
1923 Courage KKK Burton 7/11/2013
1933 Barclay Perkins KKKK Burton 22/12/2010
1877 Whitbread KKK Burton 9/7/2009
1928 Barclay Perkins KK Burton 18/03/2010
1934 Kidd XXX Burton 13/04/2011
1935 Fullers OBE Burton 9/6/2010

 

Somehow " @patto1ro " got omitted from my post...

 

I like a mildly spiced old ale, personally.

 

I like a big brown/almost black ale as a winter warmer. OG in the 1.065 range. Heaps of Marris Otter, some dark crystal for toffe, and plum notes. A bit of chocolate malt, and some of that dedittered German carafa to get to the darker end of the brown spectrum. Bitter to around 50 ibu. I also like a nice hop finish. First Gold are great English hops, with a sort of marmalade aroma, and flavor. I also like Simcoe for this style. Its citrus, and pine character work well, and seem fitting for the season.

 

Sounds like an Old Ale to me. I dig it.

Will you be able to source Bullion? Can't say I've ever seen it available, but then again, I have never looked for it.

 

Put me in this category, as well, save the spices. That said, I could be convinced that a Scottish Ale/Wee Heavy is the route to take. Truthfully, it wouldn't take TOO much convincing.

 

For me an English Barley Wine is the perfect Winter Warmer! Spices in beer taste weird to me. Give me the big malty flavors with enough alcohol to make it a sipper and you can age them for years! Take care!