This week’s beer of the week is the Sierra Nevada Bigfoot.

The brew is a barley-wine ale. But despite its name, barley wines are very much beers and often strong and intense beers at that.

The Bigfoot has a medium-heavy body and an alcohol content of 9.6 percent.

The brew is mildly sweet with notes of fruit, caramel, and cotton candy. It has a hoppy flavor but the brewers in Chico, Calif., didn’t go overboard with the hoppiness.

"This is a great winter beer that is best served by itself," said Joe Hotek of John’s Grocery, 401 E. Market St. "But if it has to be served with something, I would suggest a rich dessert."

So pick up a six-pack of Bigfoot and bake yourself a pan of fudge brownies; you’ll be the life of the party.

Cheers.

— by Jordan Montgomery