Ommegang Adoration

Ommegang Adoration Dark Winter Ale: It may be hard to tell, but it is technically winter here in California, so cut through the admittedly slight evening chills with this spicy ale from Cooperstown, New York’s historic Ommegang Brewery, which was built in 1997 on an old hop farm, making it the first “farmstead” brewery in modern America.

Their steady growth means that there’s a nice three-pack of their big, more famous bottles — including the excellent “Three Philosophers” — available right now at Costco, yet they keep pumping out specially crafted small batches too, including the Adoration, which nicely balances sweeter allspice-like elements with a touch of sourness.

For pairing purposes, it goes amazingly well with beef empanadas made by Santa Barbara’s Argentine chef Rodrigo Gimenez.

See ommegang.com for beer info, rgcocinero.com for empanadas, and bin2860.com for the Los Olivos store currently selling the beer.