Winter has finally descended and we couldn\u2019t be happier. It\u2019s the perfect time to pig out on comfort food and drink hearty beers that smack you around the chops with big flavour. Here are our top six\u00a0picks to get you going on your winter craft beer journey.<\/p>\n
Innis & Gunn Original<\/strong><\/p>\n Innis & Gunn are known for their oak-aged beers and this was the one that started it all. It\u2019s still brewmaster Dougal\u2019s favourite and if it\u2019s good enough for a Scottish winter, it\u2019s good enough for ours. The original is a classic Scottish ale that\u2019s matured for 77 days over bourbon casks to give it a distinctly oaky character. It\u2019s full of caramel and roasted malt aromas and jammed with toffee character and a subtle, fruity hop finish. Warm up this winter with a wee dram or six.<\/p>\n innisandgunn.com<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Jack Black Lumberjack<\/strong><\/p>\n It may be winter but we still need to braai. So the next time you\u2019re standing out there alone trying to braai your choppies with a headlamp, make sure you\u2019ve got a Lumberjack by your side. Lumberjack has a deep red hue with a rich, roasted malt character up front. It\u2019s backed by a truckload of hops to give it a fresh citrus and pine quality with a snappy 40 IBUs. It\u2019s got enough body to get you through those cold evenings, and goes great with any meat you happen to be braaing.<\/p>\n jackblackbeer.com<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Darling Black Mist <\/strong><\/p>\n Black Mist is what brewmaster Felix and all the Darling employees drink after a hard day\u2019s work. It\u2019s a brooding black ale that\u2019s bursting with aromas of roasted nuts, coffee and caramel. The aromas follow through onto the palate with layers of roasted malt that develop into flavours of coffee and chocolate. It\u2019s easy to see why this black ale is Felix\u2019s favourite. It\u2019s wall to wall flavour yet it still feels light and easy drinking.<\/p>\n darlingbrew.co.za<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Wild Clover Double Owl<\/strong><\/p>\n The Double Owl is Wild Clover\u2019s flagship beer and it\u2019s also brewmaster Ampie\u2019s favourite. It\u2019s a European style brown ale that\u2019s designed to help you relax and forget the woes of the day. It has a fresh citrus and subtle floral nose that\u2019s complemented by caramel and burnt sugar notes. On the palate it\u2019s all nuts and biscuit flavours and it has a lingering, subtle bittersweet finish. We highly recommend enjoying this one on a comfy chair in front of a roaring fire with a bag of roasted nuts.<\/p>\n wildclover.co.za<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n CBC Imperial IPA<\/strong><\/p>\n Cape Brewing Company\u2019s Imperial has become legendary in South Africa\u2019s craft beer scene. It\u2019s a hefty 7.5% ABV intense hop bomb that delivers an 80 IBU payload of American hops. It\u2019s packed full of gooseberry and passionfruit flavours, complemented by fresh cut grass flavours and backed with a malty character. It\u2019s big, boozy and it\u2019ll warm your soul and your cheeks this frosty winter.<\/p>\n
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