Once the holidays wind down with Christmas lights packed away and the New Year’s Eve confetti swept up from the floor, the realization sets in that there are still a few long, dark and wet winter nights ahead. Many will at least take a trip to sunnier climates, but not everyone can be a snowbird all winter. Fortunately, you can spice up your week by planning to visit local breweries and wineries to sample dessert wines and winter warmer brews.
Right in the heart of downtown Poulsbo sits Western Red Brewing. It consistently has delicious seasonal offerings; however, one of the mainstay classics “doubles” as a comforting cold-weather beverage. This brew is dubbed Jack & Jill — Double IPA and is named after a two-person, crosscut logging saw like the ones used by the brewery’s founding family, going back generations.
The brew is bright and bold, bursting with intense aromas of pine and citrus and layered with tropical fruit notes. Centennial hops bring in a classic, resinous pine and zesty citrus kick, while El Dorado adds a juicy hint of mango and stone fruit. Summit hops round it out with a touch of earthy spice and a hint of tangy orange peel. Each sip is rich and smooth, with a medium-to-full body that’s balanced by a pleasant bitterness. The finish is refreshing and tart, which balances the inherent warmth coming from an IPA weighing in at 9% alcohol by volume (ABV).
A short ride up the road in Kingston is Kitsap County’s first microbrewery, Hood Canal Brewery, which makes an excellent example of a barley wine. These brews were originally created to rival the rich, complex flavors of wine. Barley wines are designed with a high alcohol content and have an intensely malty profile, ranging in color from deep amber to dark brown.
Hood Canal Brewing’s Breidablik Barley Wine showcases fruity esters, as aromas of caramel, pear, fig and ripened red apple are immediately apparent. Honey and sweet toasted nuts are prominent flavors detected on the palate while sipping this thick and creamy beer. At 8.7% ABV, it will leave you feeling like you have the fortitude for a few more weeks of winter.
Amazingly, these are only a few of the available examples. If you live close to a local brewery, you are near a unique take on a winter warmer beer that will suit your style. But there are more than just beer selections, as many local wineries will attest.
For example, Fletcher Bay Winery on Bainbridge Island offers a coffee dessert wine. The 2022 Coffee Adoro is a decadent treat for both wine and coffee lovers. On the nose, it offers a heady aroma of dark roasted coffee beans mingling with notes of cocoa and vanilla. The first sip is rich and smooth, with flavors of caramel and vanilla and just a hint of espresso and sweetness that rounds out the palate.
The texture is velvety and luscious, with a gentle warmth from the alcohol, making it a perfect wine for sipping after a meal or pairing with a chocolate dessert. The finish is long and satisfying, with lingering notes of caramel and a subtle hint of toasted oak. This wine strikes a beautiful balance between sweetness and depth, making it an indulgence in every glass.
Olalla Vineyard & Winery is another excellent destination for sampling well-crafted dessert wine. The 2016 Sémillon Ice Wine offers a luxurious, golden pour with enticing aromas of ripe peach, honey and apricot jam underscored by a hint of citrus zest. On the palate, it’s intensely sweet yet well-balanced, delivering a concentrated burst of tropical fruits — think mango and pineapple — wrapped in a silky, viscous texture.
A fresh acidity cuts through the richness, adding lift and ensuring the sweetness doesn’t overwhelm. The finish is long and lingering, with notes of candied lemon and a touch of honeysuckle. This is a sumptuous dessert wine that shines on its own or pairs beautifully with blue cheese or a buttery-crusted fruit tart.
These are just a few of the exciting options here in the West Sound. Make it all part of your resolution for a consistent date night or meeting up with friends more often this year. Whether you go for the winter warmer beers or dessert wines or take your time to try them all, this is just a starting point for a fun winter experience. Don’t let yourself merely survive these post holiday winter months when you can thrive by taking in the unique sipping experiences right outside your door.
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