Beer In Winter: A Cozy Conundrum

Beer is a popular alcoholic beverage that can be enjoyed all year round. While it is often associated with summer, many people also enjoy drinking beer during the winter months. The colder weather tends to make dark beers, which are usually more malt-forward, more popular. The sweet flavour of malt, paired with alcohol, provides a sense of warmth that is appealing during the cold season. Additionally, the availability of a wide range of beer flavours and the social aspect of drinking beer contribute to its consumption during winter. However, it is important to note that alcohol is a vasodilator, which means it lowers the core body temperature, despite creating the sensation of warmth.

Beer is a social drink, enjoyed by men and women alike, and is no longer just a summer drink

Beer is no longer just a summer drink. While it was once considered a beverage solely for warm, sunny days, the rise of microbreweries and a booming social life have led to a year-round demand for beer. Beer is now seen as a social drink, enjoyed by people of all genders, and its versatility means it can be enjoyed in any season.

The social aspect of beer consumption is undeniable. Whether it's sharing cans at a house party or enjoying a pint at the local bar, beer brings people together. This is especially true in the winter months when socialising often moves indoors. A warm, cosy pub is an inviting space to catch up with friends and family, and a beer is the perfect accompaniment.

The increasing popularity of craft beers and the growing number of microbreweries have also contributed to the year-round consumption of beer. Beer lovers are now more aware of the different types of beer available and are eager to experiment with new flavours. From light and refreshing summer beers to dark and complex winter brews, there is a beer for every taste and season. The availability of beers with lower alcohol content also makes it a more inclusive drink, appealing to a wider range of consumers.

The colder weather also plays a role in the popularity of beer during winter. Dark beers, which are typically more popular in winter, are often malt forward, providing a sweet flavour that brings warmth to the body. The higher kilning temperatures used to create darker beers result in interesting flavours, such as nutty, biscuity, or caramel notes. These flavours pair perfectly with hearty winter dishes, making beer an ideal beverage to enjoy during the colder months.

Additionally, cultural factors may influence the association between beer and winter. For example, in Europe, despite freezing temperatures, beer accounts for over 70% of all alcohol consumption. This dispels the misconception that beer is only for summer and reinforces its status as a social drink that can be enjoyed regardless of the weather.

Dark beers are more popular in winter, likely due to their malt-forward taste and sweet flavour

While summer ales are light and refreshing, winter beers are dark and complex, with a range of flavours from sweet to bitter. Dark beers are more popular in winter, likely due to their malt-forward taste and sweet flavour.

Dark beers are characterised by their use of malt, which gives them their flavour, aroma, and dark colour. Malt is barley that has been germinated and kilned. The germination process unlocks the sugars that barley stores as starch so that yeast can turn those sugars into alcohol. Different kilning methods produce different types of malt. For example, base malts like pale and pilsen malts are kilned slowly and at a lower temperature, forming the base for most beers. Specialty malts, on the other hand, are kilned at higher temperatures, some to the point of roasting. Crystal malts are stewed to caramelize the sugars, resulting in sweet flavours.

The different types of malts used in dark beers create a range of flavours, from roasty and creamy to sweet like milk chocolate, or bitter like burnt coffee. Popular styles of dark beer include stouts, porters, and black IPAs. Stouts, for example, are known for their coffee, licorice, and chocolate flavours, while porters offer flavours of toffee, caramel, and chocolate. Black IPAs use dark specialty malts to achieve their inky black colour while still retaining the bright hops flavour that characterises IPAs.

The rich and full-bodied nature of dark beers makes them a perfect pairing with winter comfort foods and desserts. Their malt-forward taste and sweet flavour also make them a popular choice for drinking during the long nights and short days of winter.

Alcohol lowers the core body temperature, despite causing blood vessels to dilate and making you feel warmer

Drinking alcohol might make you feel warmer, but it does not actually raise your body temperature. In fact, it does the opposite: alcohol lowers your core body temperature. This is because alcohol is a vasodilator, meaning it causes your blood vessels to dilate and increases blood flow to your skin. This results in a flushed appearance and a feeling of warmth as the blood rushes to your skin's surface. However, this overrides your body's natural defence mechanism of constricting blood vessels in cold temperatures to preserve heat and maintain core body temperature.

When you drink alcohol, the volume of blood brought to the surface of your skin increases, giving you that warm and toasty feeling. This is why people often refer to alcohol as providing a "beer blanket". But this is just an illusion of warmth, as the extra blood warming your skin will quickly cool down in cold air. Additionally, the warmth caused by the blood rushing to your skin may also make you sweat, which further lowers your core body temperature. This can be especially dangerous in extremely cold weather, as you may not realise your body temperature is dropping.

The effect of alcohol on body temperature is not just a feeling; it has been scientifically studied. Research has shown that even a single alcoholic drink can initiate the process of lowering your core body temperature. The magnitude of the temperature reduction is related to the blood alcohol concentration in your system. Furthermore, alcohol also impairs your body's ability to shiver, which is another way your body generates heat in cold conditions.

The combination of alcohol and very cold weather can be dangerous and even life-threatening. Excessive drinking in cold environments can lead to hypothermia, a dangerous condition where your body temperature drops so low that it causes cardiac arrest. Studies have found that intoxicated individuals are more likely to experience hypothermia in winter compared to warmer seasons. Therefore, it is important to be aware of the effects of alcohol on your body temperature and to take appropriate measures to stay warm and safe when drinking in cold weather.

Colder places have higher alcohol consumption and drink-related problems, which may be linked to the climate

Drinking alcohol in cold weather is a dangerous combination. While it is a common belief that drinking alcoholic beverages warms up the body, the opposite is true. Alcohol is a vasodilator, causing blood vessels to dilate and increasing the volume of blood brought to the skin's surface, which makes you feel warm. However, this overrides the body's natural defence mechanism of constricting blood vessels to retain heat in the body's core. As a result, drinking alcohol in cold weather lowers your core body temperature, increasing the risk of hypothermia.

This false sense of warmth can lead to dangerous underestimations of the cold, causing people to remove layers of clothing or spend more time outdoors than they otherwise would. The effects of alcohol can also impair judgement, further increasing the likelihood of risky behaviour. For example, people may be more inclined to walk long distances in the snow or spend excessive time outdoors, exposing themselves to the elements and increasing their risk of hypothermia or frostbite.

The risks associated with drinking alcohol in cold weather are further exacerbated by alcohol's diuretic effects, leading to dehydration. Dehydration can make it more challenging for the body to regulate its temperature effectively, and the frequent urination associated with alcohol consumption can result in a quicker loss of body heat. Additionally, alcohol impacts the body's ability to shiver, impairing another natural defence mechanism against the cold.

Research has found a link between binge drinking and average temperature, with data from 193 countries showing higher incidences of liver disease and alcoholism in colder climates. Alcohol abuse in colder climates may be linked to seasonal depression, and the false sense of warmth it provides can be particularly dangerous for those with heart conditions. Therefore, it is crucial to be aware of the risks associated with drinking alcohol in cold weather and to take precautions, such as drinking in moderation, staying hydrated, and dressing appropriately for the cold.

Winter food pairs well with beer, which has become a casual everyday drink for many

Beer has become a casual everyday drink for many, and with so many different types available, it's a versatile beverage that can be enjoyed all year round—even in winter. In fact, there are several beers that pair wonderfully with winter foods, creating a delightful dining experience.

When the cold weather sets in, strong beers like barley wines, imperial stouts, and monk-made Belgian ales are excellent choices to accompany both savory, hearty dishes and sweet desserts. The key is to determine whether the beer and food flavours will complement or contrast each other, while also balancing their intensities. For instance, a sweet stout can be paired with a salty oyster dish, creating a delightful contrast. On the other hand, complementary flavour pairings work just as well, such as matching the roasted flavours of brown ales with grilled foods that have similar roasted or smoked flavours.

Sour beers are another great option for winter, as they go well with fatty cheeses. Hoppy beers, on the other hand, tend to enhance the spiciness of food, so they pair well with spicy dishes. If you're looking for a refreshing palate cleanser after a rich, heavy meal, then a light beer is a good choice. However, it's important to avoid overpowering flavours—for example, the strong flavour of a pint of Guinness might overwhelm the taste of salmon.

• Sierra Nevada Bigfoot Barleywine Style Ale with blue cheese or a nutty pastry like pecan pie.
• Brauerei Aying Ayinger Celebrator, a strong malt-sweet lager with cocoa, dark fruit, and brown sugar notes, pairs beautifully with roasted pork and chocolate desserts.
• Stone Brewing Co. Imperial Russian Stout, with flavours of coffee, anise, and cocoa, is perfect with brownies, fudgy desserts, duck, steak, and cream sauces.
• Imperial India Pale Ale (IPA) for those who enjoy a bitter beer with a robust flavour and citrus and pine notes. It pairs well with spicy foods, curries, burgers, barbecued meats, cream sauces, and sweet desserts.
• New England IPA, a less bitter, hazy beer with a juicy citrus taste, is a great choice with burgers, barbecued meats, cream sauces, fruit, and cheese.
• Porter, a medium-bodied rich beer with notes of caramel, toffee, and cocoa, is an excellent choice to serve with barbecued meats, bacon, cheese, grilled fish, and desserts like chocolate cake.
• Stout, a darker beer with notes of coffee and chocolate, pairs well with barbecued meats, game meats, burgers, brown sauces, shellfish, and salty flavours.

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