Cuddles to warm you up in the cold

When I met up with a beer sommelier colleague in Norwich recently, we talked about winter beers, also called winter warmers or Christmas beers. “Oh I always call them cuddles in a glass,” she chuckled. Cheryl is a brilliant source of information, especially on beer and food, and she told me that funnily enough, ‘cuddle-me-buff’ is actually an old term for beer. Who can resist a cuddle, especially in the winter cold?

Winter beers, or from now on always cuddles in a glass in my mind, make an appearance as the cold weather and the Christmas season approach. They tend to be dark, strong and spiced – think seasonings such as cinnamon, cloves, ginger and nutmeg, as well as dried or dark fruit, and sometimes orange peel – with a suitably warming (and cuddly) sensation. They might even remind you of Christmas cookies or pudding – in a glass.

As with all things Christmas, winter beers are a form of indulgence. The rich and smooth beers bring a somewhat pleasant feeling of decadence – naughty yet elegant, kind of grown-up. These are certainly beers to be enjoyed slowly, no need to rush. If you’re a romantic, picture yourself snuggled up by an open fire, in a log cabin on the slope, with a blanket and soft music in the background. It’s probably snowing outside as well.

Or if you’re not such a romantic after all, you might be sitting in a packed pub with your mates, complaining about annoying things such as the unbearable Christmas music in the shops – how many times do you have to listen to All I Want For Christmas Is You? In any case, romantic or not, you deserve a treat (and a cuddle) so why not go for a winter beer – to brighten up your mood a little? For sure, it will make you smile, in the dark and cold December.