King Winterbolt and Snowbound Winter hit just in time to warm your bones.

After all the data is collected, the best money is on the Fall of 2016 breaking records for the number of warm days — endured or enjoyed, depending on your preference or tolerance. All that extra summer gave craft beer fans a little longer to slurp their surplus IPAs, sours, saisons and session ales. Alas, today it actually feels outside like it’s supposed to, and Catawba Brewing Co. of Asheville, North Carolina is helping good beer drinkers make the transition into coat and gloves weather with the release of two winter warmers: one that’s become a seasonal favorite and a spanking new one that honors the local community theatre.

Available Now — King Winterbolt Winter Ale

King Winterbolt has arrived to fortify craft beer drinkers through the long nights of winter. Catawba Brewing debuted their seasonal winter warmer in 2013, and has continued to welcome devoted new followers to Winterbolt’s domain each year since. Head Brewer Kevin Sondey’s recipe was inspired by traditional winter warmers of the Pacific Northwest, which took their cues from English winter ales that eschewed cooking spices as a dominant ingredient. Brewed with crystal and black malts, King Winterbolt is a full-bodied ale, rich and dark, at 7% ABV. Its malt sweetness is enhanced by spicy notes from generous hop additions of Sorachi Ace, East Kent Golding, and Cascade. King Winterbolt was brewed in Catawba’s production brewery in Morganton, NC. Look for it in Catawba’s three tasting rooms, and in distribution in kegs and 6-pack cans.

Dropping Nov 17 — Snowbound Winter Warmer

When the weather outside is frightful, Catawba Brewing and Asheville Community Theatre have thought of a way to make it more delightful! In November, Catawba Brewing will unveil a new, seasonal beer that celebrates the premiere of Snowbound, a new, seasonal play at Asheville Community Theatre. Snowbound Winter Warmer will have its debut at a Beer Release Party on Thursday, November 17 at Catawba’s South Slope location. The party will begin at 5:30pm and all are invited. Members of Buncombe Turnpike and Sons of Ralph will also provide live music from 6:00-7:00pm.

Snowbound is a new play written by Asheville native and winner of SART’s 2009 Scriptfest competition, Tom Godleski. This mountain play will include original bluegrass music performed live onstage by members of Buncombe Turnpike and Sons of Ralph. Asheville Community Theatre’s production of Snowbound is directed by Mark Jones and features a cast of 35 local adults and children.

“This play was such a joy to write that I don’t even remember sitting down to work on it,” said Godleski. “I have always wanted to write a Christmas song, and Snowbound inspired me to write two! I am honored and blessed that Asheville Community Theatre has chosen Snowbound for their 2016 season.”

Snowbound Winter Warmer is the latest brew to emerge from Catawba’s Small Batch Series. The beer is a limited new version of their popular King Winterbolt Winter Ale, which has been reinterpreted via dry-hopping. It will be available at all three Catawba tasting rooms beginning November 17, 2016, while supplies last, and at the ACT Concession Stand December 2-18, 2016. A portion of the proceeds from each pint sold of Snowbound Winter Warmer will be donated to Asheville Community Theatre.

“Asheville is known for being an arts town and a beer town. We’re thrilled to partner with Catawba Brewing to link local beer with local theatre and music,” said Susan Harper, Asheville Community Theatre’s Executive Director. “Plus, we’re pretty excited to try Snowbound Winter Warmer!”

Snowbound opens December 2, 2016 and runs through December 18, 2016 with performances Friday and Saturday nights at 7:30pm and Sunday afternoons at 2:30pm. Tickets are available online at www.ashevilletheatre.org, by phone at 828-254-1320, or in person at the Asheville Community Theatre Box Office.

About Catawba Brewing Company

Founded in 1999 by the Pyatt family, natives of Western North Carolina, Catawba Brewing operates a main production facility in downtown Morganton, NC at 212 S. Green St; a boutique brewery/tasting room in downtown Asheville, NC at 32 Banks Avenue; and a tasting room in Asheville’s Biltmore Village at 63 Brook St. Catawba beers can be found in NC, SC, TN, and now AL.