Each winter, New Albanian Brewing Company (NABC) releases our seasonal Bonfire of the Valkyries at about the time the weather is coldest. However, this year in Southern Indiana it has been unseasonably warm. No matter; Bonfire is out, anyway.

Bonfire of the Valkyries is a German-style Black Lager with two significant twists. At just below 8% abv, it is more alcoholic than standard Black Lager. Moreover, there is a healthy percentage of Weyermann Rauch malt for smokiness. A brief web search yields very few American examples of a Smoked Black Lager, which is puzzling given that Bonfire is one of NABC’s most popular seasonal releases.

Bonfire is full-bodied and clean, with medium smokiness. As such, it is the ideal accompaniment to smoked meats, oysters on the half shell, cabbage soup, kielbasa and freshwater trout, although to be honest, I’m guessing about the trout (the others I’ve proven to my own gustatory satisfaction). Or, as we’ve been known to do in New Albania, you might just have a few glasses while burning away the hours until Ragnarok.

22-oz bombers of Bonfire of the Valkyries are available in Indiana and Kentucky. A limited amount of draft will be allocated, and of course, it can be enjoyed in all forms at NABC’s two New Albany locations.