Summer is officially over, and fall is in the air. At night, you can almost feel the taste of snow on your tongue. It’s not going to be long before the holidays roll around. Now is the time of year for bonfires, hoodies, and in a little bit, skiing.
And just as the weather changes our surroundings and our activities, different seasons deserve different beers. So when you start craving something with more body, or a little more warmth, consider these Cowbell Brewing offerings.
Absent Landlord Kolsch
A cold lager can be incredibly refreshing in summertime. But in winter, you might want a beer with a little more body. In that case, a Kolsch is an excellent choice. This is an unusual beer, because of the unique brewing methods. It’s made with an ale yeast, which ferments on top of the wort, but unlike an ale, it’s conditioned at colder temperatures. This gives it more body than an ale, but the crisp coolness of a lager.
This is a bright, straw-colored beer that’s made with a combination of ingredients from the new and old world. And unlike commercial beers, it’s unfiltered and unpasteurized. This leaves more of the original flavor, as well as the vitamins from the yeast that would otherwise get filtered out. Absent Landlord is our take on this German classic, and it’s one of our perennial favorites.
This beer is perfect for chilly nights at a bonfire, or for sipping during a fall barbecue. And if you need something to stock the fridge for a holiday party, it’s sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
Bobcat Red Ale
The Bobcat Red Ale is a West Coast Red Ale, which is a relatively new style that was first brewed on America’s west coast. During the craft beer boom of the early 2000s, the west coast became famous for its hoppy, zesty IPAs.
Then, some pioneering brewers came up with the idea of combining an IPA with an Irish Red Ale. A Red Ale is a medium-bodied ale, with its namesake reddish tone and a mildly-bitter, malty flavor. Combine that with an IPA’s heavy hop flavor and intense aroma, and you have a West Coast Red Ale.
Cowbell’s Bobcat Red Ale has notes of pine, citrus, and a warm aroma. And the heavier body makes it a great choice for cold weather.
Cowbell Original Apple Dry Cider
Apple cider is one of the most versatile beverages in the world. A cold, canned cider can be a refreshing, light alternative to beer on a summer’s day. But cider really comes into its own in the winter. Put it on the stove, mix in some spices, and you’ve got a delicious winter classic that everyone enjoys.
Cowbell’s cider has a dry flavor, which makes it more suited for being enjoyed as a cold cider. That’s not to say that the flavor is sour, though. It’s more complex than that, with extra fruit notes in addition to the apple. And if you want to enjoy it hot, just add a dash of honey or sugar.
