The Session #17 - Going Against the Grain Bill

The 17th Session is hosted by Rob over at the PFIFF! blog. Our host asks us to think about beers we drink despite the accepted seasonal stereotypes:

The subject for July's Session could be summed up thusly: Drinking anti-seasonally. Think of this as the unorthodox cousin of such topics as "beer and food" and "beer and music". Beer and weather, perhaps? More like beer despite the weather, I guess.

I've commented on this "phenomena" in my own drinking habits a couple of times recently. Though I've never given it much thought in the past, upon reflection I find I do drink "despite the season" regularly. This is especially true in Summer. Personally, I'm not a fan of wheat beers, which so many breweries feature as their "Summer seasonal". Other breweries focus on crisp pilsener beers for the warmer months. I do enjoy a nice Summer pilsener on occasion, however I often find myself reaching for a darker, heavier beer despite the heat. I may reach for a nice imperial stout despite the high temperatures of the day.

I happen to like big beers and the heat doesn't change that. During a recent visit to Odell Brewing in Fort Collins I enjoyed (very much) their Imperial Stout. My friend Dave remarked that he'd enjoyed the beer previously, but it was too warm for such a dark beer. Personally, I was thankful the brewery still had some of this stout on hand, as it's generally only available January - June.

But, our host this month challenges us to explain ourselves. Hmm, I guess "just because" isn't a fair answer. Perhaps, after being worn out by the day's activities, it's nice to sit back and unwind. I don't want a perky pilsener trying to pick me up. That would be sort of like those so full of vim and vigor people, who, in the early morning just want to chat before you've even your first coffee. A big beer is like a quiet friend who will sit and "just be there" while you relax and wind down from the day's activities. Whatever the season.

A history of The Session can be found here. Check back later at PFIFF! to see Rob's Session summary.

Update, July 6: Rob has posted the Session roundup.