In a Nutshell: For a style usually known for extremes, Uinta Cockeyed Cooper Barley Wine is a lovely laid back brew. 4 out of 5.

Review: This barley wine is aged in bourbon barrels prior to bottling, giving it a slight smokey flavor that enhances the already tasty flavor. Don’t let the name full you, barley wines are still very much beer. Their massive alcohol strength and flavor gives them the mouth feel and warmth of a fine red wine. This beer lives very much up to that reputation with a slightly sweet but balanced taste of dried fruit and a hint of vanilla. All of this is aided by the subtle warmth of 11.1% ABV, which makes it great for those cold January nights. Unlike most barley wines the hops in this beer are kept fairly low key, balancing the beer’s sweeter elements. All and all it’s a terrific beer from a brewery I’ll now be keeping my eye on.

Rating: 4 out of 5 - Must Buy

Why? Because ice cold beer numbs your taste buds and doesn’t allow the beer to develop its full flavor potential. Ice cold anything numbs your taste buds, just like it will with any part of your body, that’s just what ice does. Drinking your beer at ice cold temperatures may be a great way to cool off but it’s also a great way to keep from fully tasting your beer.

Although the optimal temperature for each style of beer varies, a safe bet is to drink your beer when it’s slightly below room temperature, say around 50 to 60 degrees. This will ensure maximum sensation for your tongue and maximum enjoyment for you.

Don’t have a thermometer handy? Just set your beer on the counter for a few minutes after taking it out from the fridge and if you at a bar, avoid chilled glasses.

If you want to get more precise with the proper temperature from one style to another, there is a handy chart from Real Beer for the details.

• Fruit beers at 40-50° F.
• Wheat beers and pale lagers at 45-50° F.
• Pale ales and amber or dark lagers at 50-55° F.
• Strong ales, such as barley wines and Belgian ales, at 50-55° F.
• Dark ales, including porters and stouts, at 55-60° F.

As they suggest, the stronger the brew the closer to 60° degrees you want your beer to be.

Now, you’re probably thinking, “but I’ve tried warm beer before, it tasted gross.” You’re right, it probably was gross, especially if it was a light lager like Coors Light or Bud Light. Unfortunately here in America many major brewers put a premium on value over quality, which means they count on you never getting a proper taste of their light lagers. Beyond that though, the lower the alcohol in the beer the lower the temperature should and many light beers tend to be relatively light in the alcohol as well compared to many craft brews.