What's Brewing? A tasting plan for upcoming Pittsburgh Winter Beerfest

How about a few, new brews to warm up these gloomy February days?

The Pittsburgh Winter Beerfest is once again being presented by Fat Head’s Brewery and will be held at the David Lawrence Convention Center Feb. 28-29. Tickets are on sale now.

Thousands of people will attend and proceeds will benefit Animal Rescue Partners Inc. and its local partner, Biggies Bullies of Pittsburgh. With hundreds of craft beers being poured, this festival is as much about the tasty ingredients in each beer as it is about having a memorable experience.

Just as eating various types of food in a multi-course meal, the order in which you consume the various styles of beer is important. Whether you’re a novice or experienced craft beer drinker, there will be more to sample at this festival than you’ll be able to try — so it’s ideal to have a plan.

Here is a simple tasting plan to help guide you through this memorable beer tasting event.

Lightly flavored beers

I suggest first sampling clean and lighter beers that offer subtle flavors, such as a German Kolsch or various lagers. Fat Head’s is a major sponsor of Pittsburgh Winter Beerfest and brews a wonderful-tasting Kolsch. Lagers are typically light, clean and refreshing tasting. Bell’s has a popular one called Lager of the Lakes. You’ll be able to taste more of what these beers offer by sampling them prior to tasting the ones with more flavor. Also, these craft beers are lower in ABV (alcohol by volume), which is a smart way to begin the evening, considering all the consumption ahead of you.

Moderately flavored beers

There are a number of beers that are moderately flavored. These have slightly more flavor than a Kolsch and lagers but nothing that will linger on your palate for too long. Fat Head’s will be offering one of its most popular beers, Bumble Berry Honey Blueberry, a fruit beer with honey and blueberry puree. There are other fruit beers on hand as well, so if you don’t care for blueberries, check the official Beerfest list for other fruit beers that will be on tap. Southern Tier will undoubtedly have its Live Session Pale Ale on tap, which has moderate flavors of citrus and sweet malt. The brewery also offers New Juice and Lake Shore Fog, which are both IPAs and good examples of moderately flavored beers.

Substantially flavored beers

When (and if) you’re ready for a bigger and bolder taste, consider barrel-aged stouts, barleywines and double IPAs. You’ll find plenty of them at Pittsburgh Beerfest and, after all, winter is the season for big, flavorful, warming, darker styles beers. Guinness Open Gate Brewery has a full-flavored bourbon barrel-aged stout called Stock Ale with an ABV of 10%. Try Bell’s Kalamazoo Stout — a full-bodied offering with lots of flavor with an abundant hop and bitter character.

It’s important to note that not being aware of a beer’s ABV could potentially end your evening early. The responsible creators of Beerfest always make a designated driver ticket available at much less cost. This is an event in which everyone is counting on you to be responsible.

Here are just a few of the beers you might find among the hundreds being offered this year at Pittsburgh Winter Beerfest. Have fun, Pittsburgh!

Fat Head’s Brewery (Pittsburgh)

Kolsch — Kolsch (5.2% ABV): This is a highly drinkable golden ale style that originated in the German city of Cologne and is still the beer of choice there. A crisp, well-balanced beer with a delicate fruity aroma, soft maltiness and subtle, noble hop aroma.

Bell’s Brewery (Kalamazoo and Comstock, Mich.)

Czech Pilsner — Lager of the Lakes (5% ABV): This beer follows in the tradition of the Czech Pilsner by offering a combination of firm malt and herbal hop bitterness. Bell’s Lager of the Lakes is refreshing and crisp tasting.

Fat Head’s Brewery (Pittsburgh)

Fruit Beer — Bumble Berry Honey Blueberry Ale (5.3% ABV): Pours light yellow with aromas of blueberries. Thirst-quenching with flavors of blueberries, honey. Wonderful malt and blueberry finish.

Southern Tier Brewing Co. (Pittsburgh)

Session Pale Ale — Live Session (5.5% ABV): Live Session is bright-tasting with a light copper color. Aromas of citrus and sweet malt. Flavors of hops dominating the malt with a dry finish.

Guinness Open Gate Brewery (Halethorpe, Md.)

Barrel-Aged Stout — Stock Ale (10% ABV): Pours a deep brown color with a tan head. Aromas of bourbon, vanilla, coffee and stone fruit. Full body with flavors of chocolate, raisins and roasted barley. A blend of an imperial stout and a barley wine that spent eight months in Bulleit Bourbon barrels.

Bell’s Brewery (Kalamazoo and Comstock, Mich.)

Stout — Kalamazoo Stout (6%): Kalamazoo pours dark with a tan head. Aromas of vanilla and dark chocolate. A full-bodied beer with big flavors of dark chocolate, licorice and freshly roasted coffee balanced with vanilla and a significant hop finish.