Winter beers include peanuts, chili or ginger – 07/10/2023 – Full Glass

Just as summer calls for refreshing, low-alcohol beers that are easier to consume, the coldest time of the year also leads to some preferences. It’s in the winter that more full-bodied releases appear, beers that give that warm sensation after a sip.

The new versions released by some breweries in São Paulo can be aged, contain peanuts, ginger and even chili; or be caramelized, like Tankator, from Tank Brewpub. Check out some releases below.

Baltic Base (Grandparents Beer)

While the award-winning (and limited) Baltic Negroni is not coming back (it is coming), it is possible to take the style that serves as the basis for it. Base is a Baltic porter, dark, traditionally English in style, reminiscent of beers from the 18th and 19th centuries. Classic, it has 8.4% alcohol and is sold in 473 ml cans (R$ 32).

Casa Avós – R. Croata, 703, Lapa, tel. 3672-4282. On Instagram: @cervejaavos

Bourbon County (Goose Island)

One of the most anticipated beers each year, the 2022 edition of Bourbon County is the result of blending (or mixing) imperial stout in barrels from four American distilleries (Heaven Hill, Four Roses, Wild Turkey and Buffalo Trace). With 14.3% alcohol, it brings aromas of vanilla, caramel, chocolate, almonds and dried fruits. The 500 ml bottle costs R$ 200 (read more).

Goose Island Brewhouse – R. Baltazar Carrasco, 187, Pinheiros, west region, tel. 2886-9858. On Instagram: @gooseislandbr

Elephants’ Graveyard (Hocus Pocus)

Success in 2019, when it first appeared, the imperial pastry stout from the Rio de Janeiro brewery is back. With a dense body, the beer has generous loads of peanuts and chocolate, distributed in a drink with 13% alcohol content. It can be found in a 500 ml bottle at the brand’s São Paulo branch, in Largo da Batata. And only on Stout Day —an event with five dark beers from the house, on Thursday (13)— it will also be available in draft beer.

Hocus Pocus SP – Rua Fernão Dias, 690, Pinheiros. On Instagram: @hocuspocussp

Good & Glad (Tank Brewpub)

New from Tank, this wee heavy (which translates as “less strong”) spent six months in a bourbon barrel, which gave the 9% alcohol beer notes of caramel, molasses and vanilla. The style, typically British, highlights the beer malts and brings moderate bitterness.

Tank Brewpub – R. . Amaro Cavalheiro, 45, Pinheiros, tel. (11) 93208-2352. On Instagram: @tank_brewpub

Lambedô (Brewery 77)

A seasonal label from the Penha brewery, the Junina Lambedô includes generous amounts of ginger and honey, in addition to other spices, such as cloves and cinnamon. With 6% alcohol, it is available at Armazém 77, the brewpub at Cervejaria 77, in draft beer (R$19, 300 ml) or cans (R$30).

Warehouse 77 – Rua Betari, 525, Penha. On Instagram: @armazem.77 and @cervejaria77

Magma (Trail)

A Russian imperial stout with cinnamon, cloves, cardamom and… chili, this launch from the Barra Funda brewery brings with 12.1% alcohol, aroma of spices and the spiciness of pepper to warm up the winter of brewers. Sold on the website in a 300 ml bottle (R$39), but can also be found in the Perdizes taproom or Fermentaria.

Fermentary trail – R. Cônego Vicente Miguel Marino, 390, Barra Funda. Taproom Trail – R. Apinajés, 137, Perdizes. Website: trailcervejaria.com.br

Narratives of Destruction (Dogma)

This full-bodied imperial stout is the result of a partnership with Middas cachaça, famous for its golden flakes. The beer gained aromas of coffee, chocolate and vanilla after being aged for three years in cachaça barrels. With 13.8% alcohol, the 500 ml bottle costs R$ 130 on ecommerce.

Dogma Brewery – R. Fortunato, 236, Santa Cecília, tel. 99249-9887. Website: brewerydogma.com.br

Pé de Moleque (Trail)

One more from Trilha, the label pays homage to the darling sweet June. In the strong ale style, the beer has added peanuts, of course, and a hefty 12.4% alcohol. In the 300 ml bottle, it costs R$33; and, like Magma, it can be found on draft at the brand’s addresses (see above).

Tankator Poking (Tank Brewpub)

The Tankator doppelbock is already great in its solo version, with 7.5% alcohol, toasted malt, brown coloring and caramel notes. But the secret is to ask for the version in which they use the German technique called poking. In it, a stainless steel rod is heated and then immersed in the beer mug, producing a generous, creamy and slightly heated foam, which intensifies the caramel characteristic of the style. Looks like they put a burnt marshmallow in the glass. Unmissable (R$ 31, with or without poking, see address above and technique below).

One Less to Divide the Reward (Juan Caloto)

Always with its fun labels referring to the wild west, Juan Caloto launched an imperial stout with 12% alcohol, based on roasted malts that refer to chocolate, coffee and caramel. To complete, the beer has apricot and pecan, with an aromatic result in a creamy and liqueur drink. As the label says, if you drink, don’t drive and don’t ride. Available in draft beer (R$32, half pint, and R$40, pint) and can (R$41), in that old Esconderijo.

Hideout Bar – R. Gandavo, 398, Vila Clementino. On Instagram: @esconderijo.juancaloto