 In 1975, San Francisco's Anchor Brewing Co. first launched its seasonal "Christmas Ale", influencing other local American brewers to begin creating seasonal beers. These winter beers have various added seasonings such as cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg, but originate across the Atlantic. In Belgium, Christmas beer has been around a long time and a northern Dutch-speaking area refers to it as "Kerst bier" while the southern French region labels it "Biere De Noel". All use special recipes and unique spices to warm drinkers' hearts during cold winters.
Wine-makers also have a history of adding spices to wine, known in English as "mulled wine" and in Europe as "Gluhwein". In German, "gluh" refers to the adding of sugar and spices before heating. Beer makers have also used this concept to make "Liefmans Gluhkriek", a warm beer for winter that requires heating to nearly 70 degrees Celcius.
Germany and the United Kingdom have similar winter-beer traditions. In Germany, a beer labeled "Bock" signifies that it is good for fall and winter. As it grows colder, the strong sweet malt, chocolate and cocoa flavor of a "Doppelbock" makes it even more satisfying. If made with wheat, it's known as "Weizenbock". Since 1907, "Tap 6 Unser Aventinus" made by Schneider Weisse has featured a deep-red ruby color and rich berry aroma, mixed with a smooth grape seed and plum flavor, making it an ancestor of Weizenbock.
Although breweries across the English Channel have "Winter Warmer" beers emphasizing sweet savory malts and lowered bitterness, most British drinkers still prefer traditional Stout barley beers, which vary widely in flavor. The most common is Ireland's Guinness, with drier taste, and slight burnt flavor arising from roasted unmalted barley.
In the 18th century, the British exported Russian Imperial Stout to Catherine the Great. With a alcohol content exceeding 10%--the highest in this beer style--this deep-colored drink has a burnt-malt, cocoa, slightly caramel flavor, sometimes balanced out with hops. Durham Brewery's Temptation imperial stout is a typical example.
For more information about any kind of beer, check www.changex.com.tw or facebook.com/ChangeX.BeerSpecial, or contact ChangeX at (04) 2371-3283. |
December 2014
