Well, it’s 2022, and you know what they say: “New year, new beer.” At least that’s what they should say. I’m sure everyone is out there making resolutions to cut out sugar, or get in shape, or generally improve their overall quality of life, and I am all for that. But let’s be honest, most of those things are not enjoyable, because if they were, wouldn’t we all already be doing them? I say, in addition to those boring resolutions, let’s make a fun resolution, too. Try something new every day. Maybe it’s a food you’ve never had before because it looks weird, maybe it’s owning a really good-smelling pair of leather pants like Ross Gellar, or maybe it’s a new beer.
Up first is something for the fans of a Sunday brunch and some fruity wine and who aren’t opposed to leaving their comfort zone slightly to drink a sangria out of a can. For those people, I present to you Rhinegeist Slangria. A fruit beer made with apple, pomegranate, blueberry and lime, Slangria has all the flavors of a great sangria with the added dimension and light fizz of a cider in one convenient sip.
Another beer currently on the market which many people haven’t tried but is considered by many reviewers to be world class, is the Goose Island Bourbon County Stout. I’ll admit up front, this is not something one can find at any convenience store and grab a six-pack of for cheap. It’s a little pricey, but the quality is nearly unmatched. Bourbon County pours pitch black and has an ABV of nearly 15%, so it is not for the faint of heart. If you are a fan of the style, however, finding some of these is something you need to put on your To-Do List. Hits with bourbon, chocolate and coffee, and finishes smooth with caramel and vanilla.
Dogfish Head Midas Touch is an interesting beer with an interesting backstory. Using a very, very old recipe back from the good ol’ days of King Midas with the golden touch, this Gruit-style ale is a golden, fruity beer which has a lot of character. While I’m sure this version is much improved over the original, the fact that the basic recipe is ancient is pretty cool. The main aroma and taste are honey and white grapes. The sweetness from the honey is balanced with the sourness of the grapes and other fruit notes like plum. Overall a solid beer, but even if you just wanted to get a taste of what kings used to drink way back when, get yourself a Midas Touch.
If you’re looking for something to really warm you up this winter, look no further than Stone Xocoveza. Originally made in conjunction with a homebrewer who had won a Stone local brewing contest, Xocoveza became so popular that they’ve continued to bring it back each year since. Reminiscent of Mexican hot chocolate, this imperial stout has all the best stuff. Coffee, chocolate, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg and… peppers, it’s got it all. Stouts and porters are more common and more popular during the colder months for many reasons, but this one specifically is honestly one of my favorite stouts during the winter. There’s just something comforting about a drink with chocolate and cinnamon, and the 8% ABV doesn’t hurt, either.
I believe that will do it for this month, so let’s all start this new decade with a bang and maybe a beer, and make it one to remember. As always, be safe out there. I know this is going to be a great year, because I’m not going to let myself believe otherwise.
-by Josh Helton
