Even though the temperatures may not quite indicate it yet, winter is definitely coming.  At this year’s Dallas Untapped Festival in Fair Park, we saw the likes of those heavy heart-warming beers, from thick barrel-aged stouts, to big-sipping barleywines, to even a few oddities here and there.

A few highlights from this year’s festival:

Stouts:
Community McCallan Barrel Aged Legion: Just in time for North Texas Beer Week, Community released their traditional Legion Russian Imperial Stout aged in McCallan Scotch barrels.  Though it moved fast at both the brewery release party and Untapped, they are pouring it at a few more events this week, so make sure to catch it while you can!

Texas Ale Project Oaty McOat Face: With probably the best name for a beer, this dry Oatmeal Stout might not be the kick-in-the-teeth of the other stouts, but this beer is well balanced with plenty of flavor for the winter season.

Dogfish Head World Wide Stout: After a three year hiatus, Dogfish Head is bringing back World Wide Stout and this is the first time it will be available in Texas.  Like other big Dogfish Head beers (120 Minute and The Fort), this beer was brewed to be aged.  Look for its bright green cap when trying to find it and maybe hold onto a few to try in a year or so.

Ale Smith Vietnamese Speedway Stout: A variation off their already coffee-laden Speedway Stout, this beer utilizes Vietnamese-style coffee that gives it a pronounced roasted flavor the melds into a silky smooth mouthfeel.

Barleywines & Strong Ales:
Lakewood Thread Spinner: Clocking in at 13.5% ABV, Thread Spinner is one of three beers in Lakewood’s new Three Fates series.  Aged in Witherspoon bourbon barrels, this beer delivers the punch without the overwhelming alcohol bite.  Look for the other two beers in the series early next year.

Peticolas Sledge Hammer: Rarely seen outside of the brewery, this amped-up version of the popular Velvet Hammer is sure to keep you warm this winter.  Just make sure the Sledge Hammer does not hit back too hard.

The Bruery Mash & Vanilla: The Bruery is known for their bigger beers and Mash & Vanilla does not disappoint.  With it being on the much sweeter side for a Barleywine, it combines flavors of sweet bourbon, loads of fresh vanilla, and toasted coconut, into this already thick and sticky beer.

Others:
Noble Rey Barampus: This Christmas version of their Baracus Brown Ale has an addition of nutmeg, cinnamon, allspice, and peanut butter, that make this beer seem even more Christmas-y that you’re prepared for before Thanksgiving.

New Belgium Chocolate Cookie Dough: I was a little skeptical about this one at first, but true to its name, it does taste like actual cookie dough.  Check out the interview with New Belgium’s pilot batch brewer, Cody Reif, on how he developed this unique recipe.

Make sure to check out the remaining North Texas Beer Week events through Sunday!