Winter beer shines at WGB 2024

West Virginia Januarys. Cold winds blow from the mountain tops to the valleys below. Snow capped hills reflecting sunlight to brighten the skies. Craft beer drinkers longing for something cozy and flavorful.

Customers arrive at Weathered Ground Brewery in Cool Ridge. Coats zipped up. Scarves wrapped around necks. Gloves and mittens warming hands. These kind of times call for wintertime beers.

While there’s no hard and fast rules here, rest assured that winter beer styles—richer and fuller-flavored than those lighter, warm-weather favorites—are sure to bring smiles to craft beer lovers’ faces.

Weathered Ground does winter well

Situated high on a southern West Virginia plateau, Weathered Ground Brewery gets to know winter very well. In January, snow covered fields surround the taproom and brewhouse. Customers, made up of locals plus snow loving visitors from nearby Winterplace ski resort, fill the taproom seats. The Dry January thing doesn’t seem to have gained much traction here.

Brilliant Stream stopped by the brewery one day this week to find out what winter beer specialties were on tap.

Mid-afternoon, we found brewery co-owner Sam Fonda busy with his brewhouse crew, but he and his team were anxious to share their thoughts on Weathered Ground’s winter seasonal beer line up.

Frosted Ground

Frosted Ground Winter Lager has been a winter seasonal staple at the brewery for several years. It’s full of higher-end specialty malts that head brewer Anthony Meador selects.

“I like that beer because we use honey and biscuit malts in it that give that good, heavy toasted, sweet caramel flavor,” says Anthony.

After fermentation the beer rests on vanilla beans, which transfer just a touch of vanilla flavor to the malty lager. It’s super easy drinking at 5.2% ABV.

Available on draft and in 16 oz. cans

Utter Destruction

The idea for Utter Destruction Dark Czech Lager came about when head brewer Anthony Meador was first considering making a black lager, but then came up with the idea to make a dark Czech lager instead. He got Sam to order a special Czech Pilsner yeast, which is not something they normally use. Anthony built the beer on a rich, creamy malt profile, a touch of chocolatey goodness, yet kept the alcohol very moderate at 5.6% A.B.V.

The brewery folks feel they produced a winner here and we agree. It’s got a very balanced meld of flavors, so luscious, yet mostly dry and crisp drinking, as a dark Czech lager should be. “No one thing overpowers the other,” says Sam. “It’s just a great dark beer to drink.”

Available on draft and in 16 oz. cans.

Way of the Monk

Way of the Monk Belgian-style Dark Strong Ale that loves cold, snowy evenings and roaring fireplaces.

It’s made very traditionally for the style with Special B malt, dark candy sugar, and Rochefort yeast. People love its warmth and rich caramel candy notes. An assertive, powerfully malty beer providing a mellow, relaxing beer sipping experience. 

“I love that beer,” says Anthony, but adds that you have to be careful with consumption since the beer weighs in at 11% ABV. On draft for a short pour. Better share that 16 oz. can though.

Yard Sale Hazy IPA

Who says all winter beers have to be full of color and toasted malts? Weathered Ground made their Yard Sale IPA — a very pale, hazy-juicy IPA — at the request of neighboring Winterplace ski resort. The beer is also on tap in bars at the Snowshoe ski resort.

It’s made with local pale malt from Carolina Malt House along with a small portion of flaked oats for body. While it may be light on color, it’s full of big fruity flavors from the inclusion of humongous amounts of Hallertau Blanc and HBC 630 hops.

Sam is very high on the HBC 630 hop. The hop gives the beer complex fruit aromas/flavors reminiscent of sweet berries and peaches, along with a moderate balancing bitterness.

Sales have been great since the area ski resorts opened in mid-December. Weathered Ground has already brewed four 7-barrel batches this year.

Yard Sale gets its name from the scene following a skier’s wipe out on the slopes, when his skis, poles, and other stuff are strewn out on the ground looking like a yard sale. This winter-style hazy IPA is available on draft and in 16-oz. cans. 6..0% ABV.

Jethro

Jethro Smoked Baltic Porter’s smoked malt aroma is more pronounced than the taste of smoke in the actual beer flavor. Overall, a very well balanced beer with lightly toasty-roasty malts, chocolate notes, and mild bitterness. A portion of the grain bill is Riverbend Pecan-Smoked Wheat, which is used to put the smokiness in the beer. Adding to its drinkability, the beer is lagered for several weeks before release to let the flavors develop.

Sam says, “Anthony does a good job not overdoing the roast.” He feels it’s better as it warms up, as higher temperatures really amp up the flavor release in this beer. This is a beer that will age well for over a year if kept cool. The beer is named after Fonda’s former pet bloodhound (which now resides in doggie heaven). 7.3% ABV. Available in cans and on draft.

Even more winter beer

Other winter beers available this year at Weathered Ground include Bourbon Barrel Aged Struggle Street Imperial Coffee Stout and Ada Imperial Stout.

You gotta love our local small brewers takes on winter. They put their creativity to the test, and invariably come up with some beauties to warm up a cold weather day.

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Weathered Ground Brewery website