Sam Adams Winter Break

Winter Break is a seasonal beer from Sam Adams, brewed in Massachusetts. The details on file don't give an ABV, IBU or style, so the character described here is what seasonal winter beers from this brewery typically offer, not a measured profile. Expect a malt-forward lean, with toasted bread, caramel or light roast notes, and enough hop bitterness to keep the finish from turning sweet. Winter seasonals often add restrained spice or dried-fruit notes, so check the label for any specifics on the style. Serve it cooler than room temperature but not ice cold. Around 45 to 50°F suits beers of this kind, since colder temperatures mute the malt and any spice. Pour into a pint glass for everyday drinking, or into a tulip or snifter-shaped glass if you want to concentrate the aroma. Pour with a bit of vigor to build a modest head, then let it sit a minute before the first sip. At the table, beers with a malty core usually pair well with roasted poultry, pork loin, glazed ham and sausages, where the caramel notes echo the browned crust of the meat. They also work with aged cheddar, gouda and other firm, nutty cheeses. For dessert, baked apples, gingerbread or a plain pecan tart are good matches, because the beer's sweetness stays below theirs. Spicy dishes are a poorer match, as heat tends to push a malt-driven beer toward sweetness.