On Tap is a regular column featuring our recommendations on the most unique new draft beer offerings from local pubs. This is a year-end double-issue!
Our Recommendation: Winter Warmer Ale
Where: Iron Hill Brewery and Restaurant, 130 E. Bridge Street, Phoenixville
Amidst the holiday cheer, I found myself in the enviable position of celebrating the holiday season in two Iron Hill breweries in the week leading up to Christmas. Early in the week, I met some writer friends for a Christmas celebration at Iron Hill Phoenixville. Checking out the beer menu, I noticed an Iron Hill beer called “Winter Warmer” that I had not tried before.
Winter Warmer is an English Strong Ale that has been brewed with a number of winter spices – cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, brown sugar and molasses. The beer poured dark with a carbonated head. At first sip, this beer exuded the nutmeg and my first thought was pumpkin ale season had been extended. As I sipped away, the brown sugar and molasses came into play, and it started beginning to feel like Christmas, but maybe that was just the ABV of 8%. This is an interesting spiced beer for those who enjoy them.
Our recommendation: Afternoon Delight
Where: Iron Hill Brewery and Restaurant, 3 W. Gay Street, West Chester
Twas the afternoon before Christmas and my wife suggested strolling through West Chester. We stopped in at the local Iron Hill, and perused their beer menu where what to my wandering eyes did appear, but an interesting brew called Afternoon Delight. This is Iron Hill’s popular Pig Iron Porter, but is infused with locally roasted Nicaraguan and Sumatra coffee beans.
This beer poured nearly black, with a beautiful carbonated head. The aroma of freshly brewed beans wafted through the air. This porter was like drinking strong carbonated coffee, with just a slight bitter aftertaste. I had to glance out the window to insure I wasn’t sitting in the neighboring Starbucks. Sipping Afternoon Delight on Christmas Eve definitely put me in the holiday spirit.
