5 beers to wet your whistle in winter

Winter beer offerings abound. Check out the latest offerings, which range from a single hop that’s out of this world to a double IPA that does double duty as proceeds support Atlanta restaurant workers facing unexpected economic hardship.

Beyond the Galaxy IPA

Terrapin Beer Co., Athens Seasonal offering available in 12-ounce cans and on draft.

Profile: Terrapin Beyond the Galaxy replaces Mosaic IPA as the brewery’s first seasonal offering of 2018. Taking off on the single hop formula, it features Australian Galaxy hops and a malt bill that includes wheat and flaked oats.

The result is a golden beer with a soft mouthfeel and indemand juicy fruit aromas and flavors with pungent citrus and passionfruit notes.

Pair with: Terrapin recommends pairing Beyond the Galaxy with cheddar or colby cheese, Thai green curry with chicken, or Little Debbie Cosmic Brownies.

Flora Obscura Dry-Hopped Porter

Boulevard Brewing Co., Kansas City, Mo.

Available seasonally in 12-ounce bottles.

Profile: A new seasonal that just debuted from Boulevard, Flora Obscura marries rich malts, including caramel and chocolate, with five bright, citrusy hop varieties, Cascade, Simcoe, Amarillo, Mosaic and Galaxy. And as the name promises, it’s dry-hopped, too.

All that adds up to an opaque, nearly black beer with elegant red highlights and a tan head. Roasted malt, chocolate and citrus and pine aromas repeat in the flavor profile, along with tropical, espresso and caramel notes, before a bittersweet finish.

Pair with: Boulevard suggests pairing Flora Obscura with barbecued ribs, chocolate peanut butter cookies, blackened catfish and coconut cream pie. I think it would also make a nice match for buttery cheeses and briny raw oysters.

SweetWater Second Helping IPA

SweetWater Brewing Co., Atlanta On draft and in 16-ounce cans in Atlanta for a limited time.

Profile: SweetWater first brewed Second Helping as a collaboration between Ryan and Jen Hidinger and SweetWater head brewer Nick Nock to help raise awareness and money for the Giving Kitchen. Since then, this double IPA brewed with juniper berries has become a perennial favorite. And this year, it’s available in new 16-ounce cans, as well as on draft.

The recipe hasn’t changed at all in five years. It still has a distinct botanical presence, as the juniper berries seem to enhance the hops with herbal, minty aromas and flavors, followed by a dry finish. The malts add nutty and biscuity notes, and a pretty amber color.

Pair with: Try this bold IPA with pub grub, like sandwiches, burgers or chicken wings, or pair it with spicy Mexican or Asian dishes.

Terminus Baltic Porter

Gate City Brewing Co., Roswell Available on draft and seasonally in 12-ounce cans.

Profile: Among Gate City’s first beers on offer when it opened its temporary tap room in February 2016, Terminus Baltic Porter has been popular on draft around metro Atlanta since.

It pours dark brown in color, with a tan head, and roasted malt aromas and flavors layered around notes of chocolate, coffee and molasses. At 7.8 percent alcohol, it’s a robust beer, perfect for winter sipping or pairing with hearty dishes.

Pair with: Pair Terminus Baltic Porter with aged Gouda or blue cheese, grilled steak, prime rib, brisket chili, or dark chocolate.

Triforce IPA

Second Self Beer Co., Atlanta Available on draft and in cans. Profile: Triforce is brewed with a malt trio of oats, wheat and barley, and a hop trio of Mosaic, Amarillo and Cascade.

The result is a bright, bubbly pale IPA with a fairly low alcohol content at 6 percent, making it both easy to drink and easy to pair with food. A dank note in the nose gives way to tropical fruit flavors and aromas before a dry touch of bitterness that lingers in the finish.

Pair with: Second Self suggests pairing Triforce with tacos, barbecue, fresh vegetables, ceviche, fromage blanc and “magical potions.”