By Kerry Cyganiewicz

As the weather gets colder, our activities change. Mowing the lawn turns into shoveling the walk. Fireworks and cookouts turn into Super Bowl parties. And the cold weather calls for something a little heavier in your glass.Sam Adams Utopias 2013, 29%ABV

Yes, you read that right ~ 29 percent ABV ~ and yes, the price tag is $199 a bottle. I always wondered what made it so special and was it worth it? I have my answer. It poured a ruby brown color. The aroma of warm, dark fruit, tobacco, wood and a boozy sweetness that is hard to describe, but completely addictive, wafted throughout the room. There was no head or carbonation, as intended. Instead, I noticed “legs” clinging to the side of the glass, almost like syrup. The taste changed slightly over the time that I drank it, with flavors that included citrus, plum, chocolate, maple and sweet alcohol warmth. The warmth and mouthfeel was reminiscent of a fine port wine or cognac. This is one of the best beers I have ever had. It is an experience not to be missed if you can find a bottle. My friend summed it up best when he said, “It is like a warm hug on the inside.”

Dog Fish Head 120 Minute IPA, 18% ABV

This is one of the strongest IPAs on the market at 18% ABV. It poured a deep orange brown color, with a small head and minimal carbonation. It smelled of dark fruit, tropical fruit and toffee. I didn’t pick up any hops, which is odd for an IPA. The mouthfeel was quite thick, like warm honey. It tasted as it smelled ~ a thick sweetness with the warming effect of a high-alcohol beer. But where are the hops? Although I picked up little of the bitterness or aroma typical of this style, it is still an enjoyable beer.

Stone Crime, 9.6% ABV

I am a big fan of Stone Brewing. I was excited to try this new offering. If this beer does not warm you, you might want to check your pulse. This is a blend of a blend. Stone starts with its Lucky Basartd [sic] Ale, which is a blend of three of ales: Arrogant Bastard, Oaked Arrogant Bastard, and Double Bastard Ale. It is then aged in oak barrels, along with half of the harvest from the founder’s own chile pepper garden. It pours a hazy, dark copper, with a small head and light carbonation. There is no lacing at all, which could be attributed to the oil content in the peppers. It smelled of oaky bourbon and peppers ~ lots of peppers. It tastes like someone poured a well-made, complex hot sauce into a bottle of one of my favorite beers. The lingering warmth from both the alcohol and peppers was almost overwhelming. Was it a “crime” to add the chile peppers to a wonderful beer? You decide. A great beer for chileheads.

Andecher Dopplebock Dunkel, 7.1% ABV

I have never experienced this style of beer from Germany. I am glad I broadened my horizons. It pours a deep brown, with a lively tan head that eventually settles. It has aromas of bread and earthy chocolate. Mouthfeel is medium. I found it to be quite drinkable. The tastes are wide-ranging and complementary: sweet fruit, very light smoke, toffee and the aforementioned earthy chocolate. There is little hop aroma or bitterness, as dictated by the style. The alcohol is hidden well. Have you ever spent too much time in the store looking for something different? If you are looking for something great for the season without hops or spices, give this a try!

Harpoon Winter Warmer 5.9% ABV

I chose to review this beer for a couple of reasons. Harpoon IPA is the first IPA I drank and the one that got me to explore the style. Everywhere I go, except the hardware store, seems to carry this beer, and that is not a bad thing. It pours a familiar amber color. The head is lively at first before subsiding to a white ring. Mouthfeel is surprisingly on the light side for a beer of this color. The aromas are like a Christmas spice cabinet. Heavy cinnamon and nutmeg aromas rise from the glass. I taste cinnamon, slight nutmeg and a little caramel sweetness. If you are having a gathering, pick up some. It’s a beer that will appeal to many and will satisfy your seasonal taste buds.