Whole Foods to host Frosty Foothills beer party

Cold weather is here, which means beers are flowing that are darker, sometimes malty-sweet, and often with an alcohol note that feels like a comforting wool sweater.

In other words, winter warmers.

Boise brewery Woodland Empire Ale Craft has brewed an exclusive beer for Whole Foods called Frosty Foothills Winter Warmer. I haven’t tasted this brew and can’t attest to its specific characteristics, but Woodland Empire isn’t in the habit of disappointing.

On Wednesday, Dec. 23, Whole Foods will celebrate 100 cases of Frosty Foothills — and draft — burying the store like a snowstorm.

Whole Foods’ River Room, 201 S. Broadway Ave., will feature Frosty Foothills and half a dozen other Woodland Empire beers on tap from 5 to 8 p.m. You’ll find $3 pints of Frosty Foothills, City of Trees IPA, Set ’Em Wild, Set ’Em Free Berliner-style weisse, Big Sticky Red IPA, Electric Warrior Oatmeal Stout and Moondog Northwest Amber. Beast Moans Imperial Stout also will be freshly tapped.

Woodland Empire president Rob Landerman is slated to attend. He’ll hand out brewery schwag.

In other words, it’s a good excuse to enjoy a Christmas Eve drink one day early.

This story was originally published December 15, 2015 at 10:00 AM with the headline "Whole Foods to host Frosty Foothills beer party."