(They don't.)
Watched News 12 and promptly changed my mind.
Looks like it's a day of reading and movies for us! But, of paramount importance, is the need to select a great, snow day beer!
Though I love hops, stouts and porters get my vote on days like today. The heavier mouthfeel (heheh) makes it feel like you're drinking a meal and the higher ABV load that usually accompanies the styles of porters and stouts I like (Imperial all the way, baby!) has an extremely pleasant, warming, nap-inducing effect.
Greenport Harbor Brewing Company's Black Duck Porter is an awesome brew but, at 4.7% ABV is a bit... light... for my purposes. (Besides, I'm setting it aside for a friend.) DuClaw's Sweet Baby Jesus (currently Jackie's favorite) does better at 6.2% but is also a bit too sweet for my tastes.
Waddling into my cellar, I sift through my collection bypassing Black Ops (of which I have too many) and Southampton RIS (of which I have too few). There are also other, big-hitting beers that are potential dance partners: Firestone Walker Sucuba, Parabola, various Anniversary Ales) but the one that catches my eye is Bourbon County's Barleywine.
Never you mind that they're bought out by A-B, you preening craft beer hipsters! Their shit still tastes great!This is the 2014 vintage and, at 12.3% ABV, should straddle the line of just smacking me around and knocking-me-the-fuck-out.
I don't think I've had a barleywine in years but I do remember with some fondess the toffee and deep raisin-like notes.
(tasting notes to follow)
It's days like today that make keeping a beer cellar, even a small one, a great idea. Not only can you periodically dip into it and sample how a particular beer has evolved over the months (or even years) but you'll always have a little stash for when foul weather hits.
Forget the bread, milk and eggs! Make sure your shelves are loaded with enough stouts, big porters and barleywines to see you through!
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