Ah, yes.

Readers, there is a season we east-coasters have called Winter (except for you sissies in Florida whom I hope can remember how to read a voter ballot this election year). It’s about 18 degrees now, and I am not even factoring in windchill. It’s days like this why strong beer was invented–an efficient means of keeping buzzed until warmer climes return. Enter Trader Joe’s markets and their latest Winterfest Lager.

Trader Joe’s sells many esoteric beers, including some of the most renowned Belgian ales on the planet. They also brew their own beer, and place them alarmingly close to their salty snacks as an evil-yet-effective marketing tactic. Stupid football season! I happened upon their Winterfest Lager, and figured I would give the $5.90 six-pack a try. What a great surprise! This baby packs a wallop with a warming 7.5 % ABV–I found this out on Tuesday after finishing a second one and then posessing a far diminished capacity to read multisyllabic words. It was then that I picked up one of my favorite reads for this circumstance, Where’s the Poop? The slightly bitter 28 IBU flavor was a perfect balance to its strength. If anything, I would compare this to its original doppelbock cousins, such as Ayinger Celebrator Doppelbock (one of the best). This is a tasty-yet-strong beer which will keep you warm this winter. Prost!