Just as wine drinkers vary their selections depending on the season, so do beer drinkers. And there is almost nothing more exciting to beer drinkers than the wide array of winter seasonal brews. Don’t get me wrong; summer is a big beer-drinking season, but in general the focus is on playfulness and crispness. Winter seasonal beers fear nothing. Bigger is better, and here at Nugget Markets we feature a barrage of seasonal brews that will keep your palate engaged and free of the dull of winter frost. If you like more roasted malts, bigger hops, or even spiced ciders, we have the selection that will keep your winter season bright. Check out the breweries below for some of our favorite seasonal brews:

Deschutes Brewery, Bend, Oregon

Deschutes Brewery was established in 1988 as a brewpub. Twenty-three years later they are the sixth-largest craft brewer in the U.S. while only being distributed in 18 states. They have grown immensely each year, propelled by experimentation, pioneering, tinkering, and the desire to push beer places it has never been. While they make a handful of beers we carry year-round in 6 and 12 packs, they keep us guessing what is next with reserve and experimental offerings that are only available for a week, if that. Deschutes’ first bottled beer was the Jubelale seasonal, and many years later, we are proud to offer you this festive winter ale, created with dark crystal malt, deep roasted flavor and beautifully balanced hopping. Take a 12 pack of Jubelale home today and continue the Deschutes holiday tradition.

Sierra Nevada Brewery, Chico, California

Sierra Nevada Brewery was established in our Nor Cal backyard in 1980. Ken Grossman named this once small-time brewery after his favorite hiking grounds, and now it is one of the leading craft breweries in the country. As they have continued to grow, so have their efforts to operate in an environmentally friendly way. In everything from the solar-paneled roofs to the composting in their brewpub, Sierra Nevada respects the environment like no other large-scale brewery out there. One year after opening the brewery, Sierra Nevada introduced Celebration Ale. This highly anticipated release is created using the first fresh hops of the growing season, balanced against rich malt sweetness. This complex IPA is the perfect way to spread the holiday cheer as the temperatures drop and the celebrations commence. • Misha Johnson, Adult Beverage