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www.groovekorea.com / January 2014 38 Craftworks Seoraksan oatmeal Stout No winter beer lineup would be complete without an oatmeal stout in the ranks, and thanks to Craftworks Taphouse we have a quality example of the style for us right here in the ROK. The beer starts with a slim cream head that isn’t going anywhere and a rich, creamy body — both courtesy of proteins from the oatmeal the beer is brewed with. The nose is lovely, with grain and smoke in the glass, never overpowering but instead on point to deliver just the right amount of toasted goodness. Though the style of the beer may lack a certain amount of body and alcohol (just 4.5 percent), Craftworks has made a wise choice here: Seoraksan Oatmeal Stout is absolutely sessionable. It’s smooth and inviting, and won’t scare off newcomers to the world of stouts. WHERE To GET IT Craftworks locations around Seoul (Gyeongnidan, Gangnam, Jung-gu and Pangyo) Belhaven Wee Heavy If you’ve ever wondered what a malt is, exactly, or what it tastes like, this wee heavy is your ale to try. Brewed by the iconic Belhaven Brewery of Scotland, this beer is a flag-bearer for the style. Starting with a medium head, you’ll no- tice its malt character immediately — as will everyone else in a 3-meter radius. When served at a proper (cellar) temperature, some might dismiss the flavor as simply sweet or even cloying, but, given time for the palate to adjust, a world of flavor opens up to the drinker. Still, if you are worried about the malt being too overpowering, just pop the cap off straight out of the fridge and watch the beer evolve as it warms. If you’re still worried about taking the leap to the malt side, start with Belhaven’s Scottish Ale — it’s a darker, more hoppy cousin of the Wee Heavy and will give you an idea of what these styles of beer are all about. WHERE To GET IT Han’s Store in Itaewon Green Flash Double Stout - 8.8% 45IBu What is there to say about Green Flash Double Stout? Well, it’s not your fa- ther’s Guinness. This San Diego-born brew starts jet black in color, crowned with a cream head. The nose is exactly what you’re looking for when you reach for a bottle labeled double stout: huge coffee and cocoa character, with all the roasty, toasty goodness you could hope for. These flavors are delivered in spades on first taste and the mouthfeel is simply divine — one of the best textures you’ll ever get off a beer less than 10 percent alcohol. Basically, what we have in this Green Flash offering is an archetype of what a double stout is meant to be. If you enjoy espresso or dark chocolate in the slightest, you owe it to yourself to give this beer a shot. WHERE To GET IT Beer O’Clock in Sinchon Anderson Valley Winter Solstice The other truly seasonal brew on this list, Winter Solstice, is exactly what you might imagine a winter beer to be. Winter Solstice is classified as a “winter warmer.” Winter warmers are – surprise – usually seasonal winter beers, and are typically dark and malty, with low hoppiness and spice. Anderson Valley’s offering fits the criteria. It’s a deep amber color, with a light head. It tastes of chewing tobacco, brown bread, raisins and caramel. It’s sweet in a toasted marshmallow sort of way, and has a hint of spice. Troy Zitzelsberger, the head brewer at Reilly’s, said it reminded him of fruitcake, so if the idea of a sweeter beer sounds unappealing to you, do steer clear. Anderson Valley Brewing Com- pany was part of the first wave of microbreweries in the United States, and has led the wave of American microbrews emanating from the country ever since. This is another strong beer, with 6.9 percent alcohol by volume. Drinking out of the no-frills Anderson Valley pint glass, Winter Solstice is a beer that just feels right for a cold, snowy night. WHERE To GET IT Reilly’s Taphouse in Itaewon FOOD & DRINK Edited by Josh Foreman (joshforeman@groovekorea.com)