Red Hook always has interesting seasonal beer offerings. I've written about Red Hook Late Harvest Ale. Their latest is Red Hook Winterhook, their Winter Ale offering. They've been making this ale since 1985, and this year, it's only available from October through December. This one really is a "winter warmer," though something about its hoppy quality (it's brewed with four hop charges, using Cascade, Sterling, Alchemy hops). It's a noticeably hoppy brew; honestly, I can't think of one I've had in the U.S. that's as hoppy, but it also has an underlying "warmth" and sweetness from the malts. Winterhook is 6% ABV, and is made with Pale, Flour-malted Caramel and Light Chocolate malts—you do notice the Caramel and chocolate tones, under the hoppiness. The hops include Cascade, Sterling, Alchemy.

In terms of food pairings, Red Hook suggests "chicken, pheasant, turkey, duck and cheeses." Those sound perfectly reasonable but something about the hops makes me wish this beer would be around in early spring; I think it's a super accompaniment to barbequed salmon. I note that it's also very attractive in a glass.

Red Hook, by the way, is part of the Craft Brewers Alliance, which includes not only The Redhook Ale Brewery in Woodinville, Washington and Portsmouth, New Hampshire, but Widmer Brothers Brewing Company (Portland, Oregon), the Kona Brewing Company (Kailua Kona, Hawaii), and Goose Island Beer Company (Chicago, Illinois).