Chicagoist's "Beer of the Week:" De Koninck Winter Ale

By Chuck Sudo in Food on Dec 16, 2009 9:20PM

For fans of heavy malted or high gravity beers, this is the harvest season. Whether you're slipping into sweats, socks or even (ugh) a snuggie, or bringing a heavy beer to a BYOB resto, if you apply yourself you won't have to drink the same beer twice.

De Koninck's winter seasonal is one of those beers that tastes heavier than it actually presents itself. It's only 6.5 percent ABV, but it's redolent of maple, honey and stone fruit. This beer is slightly spiced and those spices cling to the back of the mouth for dear life. Decanting this beer we were confronted by some very bready esters from the Belgian ale yeast, although the head faded quickly leaving this lacing rings on the glass. It makes a great pairing for hearty beef dishes like any of the courses on mado's beef dinner last week, particularly Rob Levitt's steak and kidney pie, which Levitt said he had never made until the night of that dinner.

The Bluebird (1749 N. Damen) was sampling out some of De Koninck's winter ale at their winter beer tasting last night. That would be a good place to start as any to find the beer.