BEER AND NOW Jeff Hammett


Jeff first noticed craft beer early in college when a friend introduced him to Stone Brewing Co.’s Pale Ale. After graduating from UCSD with a degree in Philoso- phy, he moved to Santa Cruz where he frequented Santa Cruz Mountain Brewing and Seabright Brewery. Jeff would journey up to San Francisco to visit Magnolia and Toronado every chance he got. He started blogging about beer in early 2009 while living in Durango, Colorado. For a town of only 20,000 people Durango boasts an impressive four breweries. Jeff quickly became a part of the brewing scene and in January 2010 was invited to work with Ska Brewing Co.’s Head Brewer Thomas Larsen to formulate a recipe and brew on Ska’s pilot system. In addition to his love of craft beer, Mr. Hammett is an avid cyclist and can be seen riding on the road or trails most weekends.


mean we can’t continue to enjoy some winter beers for a few months longer. Most of these are released just once a year, usually in December, but most can be found for a few months longer either on local taps or on bottle shop shelves. Below are four of my favorite local winter brews and one not-so-local, unconventional winter beer.


Parrot In A Palm Tree from Karl Strauss Brewing Co. This Baltic Porter, aged in Port wine bar- rels from San Pasqual Winery, is the first in a one-a-year Christmas series of beers from Karl Strauss. Parrot In A Palm Tree, a San Diego version of “Partridge in a Pear Tree,” comes in at 8.5% ABV with chocolate flavors and hints of oak. This one is available on draft and in bottles. The bottles should age well for a few years at cellar temperature.


Winter Brew from Coronado Brewing Co. This malty Winter Warmer is a bit lighter than many of this style, which makes it especially great for San Diego’s mild winters. That’s not to say this beer is at all a slouch at around 8% ABV. A dark brown mahogany color, it’s malty and strong with plenty of spices and toffee flavor.


Saint Sideburn Winter Ale from Pacific Beach Ale House This Belgian-style Strong Brown Ale is deceptive in its appearance. Bubble gum flavors up front are reminiscent of a Bel- gian Trippel, which then give way to spicy clove flavors, before finishing with some malty sweetness. A surprise hit at the Guild Fest during San Diego Beer Week, PB Ale House aged some Saint Sideburn in bourbon barrels with Brettanomyces. No word on whether they’ll be aging some again this year, but here’s to hoping.


Santa’s Little Helper from Port Brewing Co. There’s no shortage of awesome Imperial Stouts out there, and Santa’s Little Helper is no exception. Strong and dark, it has fla- vors reminiscent of coffee, chocolate, tof- fee, caramel molasses, and a good amount of hop bitterness when fresh. Batches of Santa’s Little Helper are released in early winter each year with a green label. You may be able to find some Bourbon Barrel- Aged Santa’s Little Helper in July with a red label, which are left over from Christ- mas. Pick up a bottle of each to compare what some time in a bourbon barrel will do to a beer.


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Avec Les Bons Voeux from Brasserie Dupont This 9.5% ABV Saison has a French name meaning “With Best Wishes” and is brew- ing especially for the holidays from the same brewery as the classic Saison Du- pont. Unlike many other winter specific beers (and all the other listed here), Avec Les Bons Voeux is light in color and sweet


Winter Warmers J


By Jeff Hammett


ust because Christmas is over and temperatures in San Diego hardly ever dip below 40 degrees doesn’t


Santa’s Little Helper and more at the Best Damn Beer Shop Downtown


up front with a spicy finish. It masks its high alcohol percentage well; this is a great beer to share with friends. Look for it in 750ml bottles and liquor stores around town that typically carry a good selection of Belgian beers.


Once it’s gone you won’t find it until next fall.


Jeff writes for San Diego Beer Blog at sandiegobeerblog.com, and you can also follow him on twitter @SDBeer


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