I don’t believe the Beer Advent Calendar has featured a beer from Utah in the past seven years since I started this, so I figured it was high time to rectify that. With Utah’s infamous “3.2” laws it may seem counter-intuitive to find the typically higher-strength winter beers there—but they do exist. In fact, the 3.2% alcohol by weight/4% by volume limitation only applies to beer sold at grocery and convenience stores (or “beer only” establishments), but higher-strength beers can be sold at state liquor stores and often direct from the breweries.

With that in mind, today’s pick is Wasatch Winterfest Seasonal Ale, a 7.1% abv strong ale brewed by Wasatch Brewpub and the Utah Brewers Cooperative (Wasatch’s partnership with Squatters).

Wasatch Winterfest Seasonal Ale is a rich amber ale with caramel malt flavors and a large hop presence. Brewed with the finest Northwestern pale and caramel malts then generously hopped with Columbus and Amarillo hops. Crafted in the spirit and style of robust winter ales.

Inspiration? “This new seasonal was brewed to warm you through the cold winter months! Our Winterfest Ale makes a wonderful compliment to an epic day on the mountain, and the perfect companion around the fire. It’s our toast to Utah.”

This is a festive ale which will definitely brighten up your winter.

Untappd. Facebook. BeerAdvocate: 88/100. RateBeer: 3.54/5, 94th percentile.