If you enjoyed learning of the Belgium ales but are still thirsty for more, you’re in luck. We’re continuing the journey of the richest ales available to you during the winter months here at Central Market. There is also a list I’ve compiled of a few of my favorites during the cold season.

The second styles of beers are the stouts and porters of the UK. Porters originated in London, England during the early 18^th century. They are generally brewed with heavily roasted malts that are sometimes smoked for added flavor. There are different strengths of porters reminiscent to the same labeling of the Belgium ales such as "double porter" and "stout porter" or stout for short. The strongest of all stout varieties has obtained the nomenclature "Russian Imperial Stout" and was originally brewed be the Thrales brewery in London for export to the Royal Court of Russia during the mid 18^th century. For me, there is nothing better than enjoying a smoked porter on a cold winter evening in front of a roaring fireplace after a hard days work.

There is one last style of beer that has no direct country of origin, "spiced" or "winter warmer" ales. Spice ales are generally brewed just for the cooler months of winter, a time when notes of cinnamon, ginger, and allspice accentuate the richness of deeply brewed ales to rekindle thoughts and feelings of holidays past. Some breweries steep pumpkin in the beer before fermenting it to give the ultimate sensation of drinking a pumpkin pie. So when the day has been long and you don’t have the energy to decipher foreign labels, just grab a winter warmer. The name says it all.

Hopefully this guide has shown a little light during the winter months on the vast choices of beer. Still the best and only way to know for sure you like something is to try it. There may be a few misses along the way, but when you come across one that you thoroughly enjoy, you know the journey was worthwhile.

"There can’t be good living where there is not good drinking."

Below are a few of my favorite beers for the winter that are sure to warm you up.

Trappist Style Ales:

Chimay Blue Grand Reserve

Maredsous 10 triple ale

Victory Golden Monkey triple ale

Stouts and Porters:

Guiness Draught

Samuel Smith Oatmeal Stout

Stone Smoked Porter

Victory Storm King Imperial Stout

Spiced / Winter Warmer Ales:

Hoegaarden Belgium Wheat

Sam Adam’s Winter Lager

Young’s Winter Warmer