Behind the Brew
As an homage to the uniqueness of our Northern climate, we celebrate the start of every winter with a unique Snowstorm of our own, a one-of-a-kind limited edition brew because no two Snowstorms are every the same.
This year’s Snowstorm is a Bavarian-Style Red Lager. With an ABV of 6.2%, this reddish-amber brew offers bready malt notes intertwined with hints of stone fruit. Crafted with GoldPils, Melanoidin, Carared, and Crystal Red malts, and balanced with Helios and Sterling hops, it delivers a smooth, inviting finish.
30 Years of Limited-Release Editions
2023 – Four-Rye Dark, Ale 6.3%
2022 – Mahogany Lager, ABV 6.7%, menagerie of specialty grains with notes of sweet bread and spice. It smells of rich mahogany, and is best enjoyed while surrounded by many leather-bound books.
2021 – Oat Starkbier, ABV 6.3%, a malt-driven dark lager. The creamy mouthfeel from the oats smooths out the toasty notes, amplifying the rich Munich malt before a crisp finish.
2020 – Oat Stout, ABV 6.3%, a black stout with notes of coffee and chocolate. Brewed with triticale oats.
2019 – Red Ale, ABV 6.5%, this year’s rendition features delicious malt flavors and a crisp, hoppy finish.
2018 – Spéciale Belge, moderately malty with notes of biscuit and a subtle fruitiness.
2017 – Rye Ale, ABV 6.1%, Reddish-brown ale with hints of spicy rye and bread crust, ideally suited for brisk Northern nights.
2016 – English Strong Ale, ABV 6.5%,
2015 – Wallonian-Style Brown Ale, ABV 6.2%, Draws inspiration from the artisanal and experimental traditions of the Wallonian brewers to create a malt-focused brown ale with hints of nut, biscuit and stone fruit.
2014 – Grand Cru, ABV 6.5%, Deep copper in color with an off white head. The aroma is a combination of fruity esters from the yeast complimented by the citrusy notes of coriander, orange, and lemon peel. This beer is deceptively lighter bodied, with a lively carbonation and subtle warmth from the moderate alcohol. Fruity notes from the yeast carry over into the flavor profile with hints of citrus and light chocolate and a lasting dry finish.
2013 – Strong Belgian Golden Ale
2012 – Bière de Noël, ABV 7.5%, A French style Christmas beer. Expect a light amber beer with red tints that is malt forward with noticeable yeast flavors of white pepper and citrus from an authentic French ale yeast. Slight herbal hop note in the background, with a spicy, citrusy, peppery aroma.
2011 – Wee Heavy Traditional Scotch Ale
2010 – Dunkel Doppel Weizenbock, ABV 7.0%, Brewed with Munich, Wheat, Xtra Special and Midnight Wheat Malt, this Dunkel Doppel Weizenbock has a rich, velvety malt body with notes of milk chocolate. Higher carbonation levels give this beer a full bodied mouth feel and a fluffy, creamy head with a banana and clove aroma.
2009 – Baltic Porter, ABV 5.8%, Few beers fit the season like a Baltic Porter does winter. The 2009 edition of Snowstorm was brewed with copious amounts of Munich malt coupled with three different British crystal malts, and British Chocolate. Snowstorm is dark mahogany in color with a tan head and displays flavors reminiscent of dark fruit, licorice, and chocolate.
2008 – Weihnachtsbier, ABV 6%, Reddish-brown in color with a complex maltiness yielding hints of spicy rye, sourdough and chocolate. Brewed with nine different malts, including copious amounts of Munich and a touch of Rye.
2007 – Belgian Dubbel
2006 – English Stout (Schell’s Stout)
2005 – Düsseldorf Alt
2004 – Dark Cream Ale
2003 – Nut Brown Ale
2002 – Scotch Ale
2001 – Cherry Vanilla Porter
2000 – Braggot
1999 – Dunkleweizen
1998 – Vienna Lager (Schell’s Firebrick)
1997 – Plum Black and Tan*
1996 – Cherry Alt*
1995 – Raspberry Amber Ale*
1992 – Doppel Alt (Schell’s Schmaltz’s Alt)**
*1995-1997 Beers were called Blizzard Ale
** 1992 Beer was called Xmas Brew
