Hibernation Ale by Great Divide Brewing Company - Denver, CO

Great Divide’s award-winning Hibernation Ale is Colorado’s original strong ale – it has been our winter seasonal each year since 1995. Since that time, Hibernation has become the most sought-after winter beer in Colorado. Hibernation’s massive flavors are so intense that it requires over three months of aging each year. Each summer, while our brewers are still spending their weekends in flip-flops and shorts, they prepare for July’s Hibernation brewing schedule.
  
  
  
We cellar Hibernation until late October, when it reaches the peak of perfection. This lengthy aging process gives Hibernation its revered malty richness, complex hop profile and hearty warming character, which is perfect right out of the bottle or cellared for longer periods of time. Hibernation is a lively treat that really beats the winter chill. This scrumptious, collectible, and imminently cellarable ale is only available for six weeks each year, from November 1 to December 15. Hibernation Ale is the perfect gift or accompaniment to your winter festivities. Alcohol by volume: 8.1%
 
          
 
Beer Review from Beer Advocate:
Appearance - Pours a deep, dark brown that has an almost reddish hue when held up to the light. Has a 1/2 inch head at first and then gives way to a 1/4 inch ring around the edge of the glass and a couple of bubble clusters on the surface.

Aroma - Has a chocolaty, saltine cracker-like malt nose (chocolate-covered pretzel?).

Taste - Sweet and syrupy but with a heavy-enough roast taste to balance. Speaking of balance, this succeeds in having just enough flavor to stand up to the somewhat high ABV. Some raisin and dark plum notes come through after multiple sips.

Mouthfeel- Has enough texture and viscosity to pull off a good amount of substance, yet not so thick that it makes it hard to drink. Yet again, balanced.

Opinion - Ahh, I couldn't think of a better brew to drink to fight the biting cold of winter
 
Suggested food pairings by Kate and David at Denver’s finest artesian cheese and exotic food shop, The Truffle, pair Hibernation with two specialty cheeses:

Roomano – a four-year aged, hard Dutch cow’s milk cheese, with a nutty, toffee-like sweetness
Mimolette – a nutty, sweet, gouda-like French cow’s milk cheese