by Chuck Hallett | Beers make it into my column for a few reasons. Maybe the brewery is stepping up their game, maybe the packaging is interesting, or maybe the beer itself is excellent. Today, we’re getting all three. Yup, there’s one very interesting brew out there this holiday season that I figure everyone should buy and try, and it’s Howe Sound’s Woolly Bugger 2013.

In past years, this has been one of the few BC-brewed, English-style Barley Wines on the market, and I’ve loved it. This year, however, they’ve changed things up a bit and gone for more of a hybrid form: a strong malt base with a slightly bitter finish. The result is an outstanding step up from previous years, a beer that is eminently drinkable now but will definitely cellar well for 2-3 years. Right now you’ll get subtle chocolate behind balanced hops, but over time the smooth malt tones will mingle and come forward.

But I said something about packaging, right? Sure did. This is not only a dramatic departure from previous Howe Sound bottling, but also from prior Woolly Buggers. Frankly, I love every little bit of this bottle. To generate this beauty, Howe Sound teamed up with Tom Pedriks from Resonance Branding and, gosh darn it, they did well together. In addition to a flat out awesome 19th century pharmaceutical look and feel on a bottle that basically contains medicine, the format of the bottle should not be overlooked. It’s a 375ml demi. Most local Barley Wines come in 650ml bombers, which can make the commitment involved in cracking one open somewhat daunting. The term “Drinkable” in beer doesn’t usually mean “something you can physically drink in one sitting”, but what the hell, I’ll call this one Drinkable.

So, go forth and buy a few bottles of this sweet and boozy concoction, and enjoy yourself a cool snifter in front of a roaring fire. It’s what this beer was made for.

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