Peaks and Pints can feel it in the air—winter is here. And as the temperatures plummet and the days grow shorter, it’s scientifically proven that the body goes into “cold weather” mode. Much like the mighty grizzly bear stocking up for the long winter months, we are drawn to comfort foods like hearty sandwiches, heart sandwiches and hearty sandwiches to stave off starvation, especially after a long day of slaying the slopes.

But what about quenching a mighty thirst? After a day on the snow, you need something tasty on the way home. Sure, you could head straight home and cuddle up with a hot toddy or Irish coffee, but what you really need is craft beer that reflects your love of snow. You need Snoqualmie Falls Brewing Company’s Avalanche Winter Ale (6.8%) — a seasonal designed to take the chill off of the stormy Northwest winter weather yet drinkable enough to enjoy more than one.

That’s right. Who needs 12 days of Christmas when this wintry ale packs a plethora of hops? This year, Snoqualmie head brewer Rande Reed upped the aromatic hops by a quarter, yielding a much more pronounced hoppy beginning to Avalanche. Even so, by the time the flavor has moved to the back of the palate, the hops have given way to the full-bodied complex malt flavors.

Peaks and Pints has invited Snoqualmie Falls Brewing Company and their Avalanche Winter Ale to our next Lodge Meeting, 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 8. After a reading of the minutes from the last meeting, Avalanche Winter Ale, Wildcat IPA, Black Frog Nitro and Steam Train Porter will pour from our Western red cedar tap log.

For more details on Snoqualmie Falls Brewing Company, click here.

PEAKS AND PINTS LODGE MEETING WITH SNOQUALMIE FALLS BREWING CO., 6 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 8, Peaks and Pints, 3816 N. 26^th St., Basecamp Proctor, Tacoma, no cover