Days of the Beer, January 24

The beer for today is Mikkeller Big Worse Barley Wine.

January 24 has been dubbed the worst day of the year. Accorking to Dr. Cliff Arnall, a U.K. psychologist, Jan. 24 is the "most depressing day of the year."

Arnall specializes in seasonal disorders, and created a formula that takes into account numerous feelings to devise peoples' lowest point. Using his formula, he pinpointed today as the worst day.

Even though the days get longer after the solstice, weather systems take hold in January, bringing low, dark clouds to Britain (and the rest of the world, it seems). Most people break their resolutions six to seven days into the new year, and by now, even those who've stuck it out longer have fallen off the wagon. Also, leftover holiday cheer has faded.

As to the beer:

Mikkeller is the gypsy brewery currently run by Mikkel Borg Bjergsø.

Big Worse is the long awaited big brother of the small test brew Big Bad Barley Wine. The idea behind Big Worse is still to make a simple yet heavy barley wine - just like it’s smaller brother. But this time both the alcohol and bitterness has been pumped up! Big Worse is both thick and sweet and is the perfect beer for desserts. Enjoy it now or keep it for many years. Best stored dark and at cellar temperature.

Ingredients :
Water, malt (pils and caramunich), candy sugar, hops (nugget, cascade and centennial) and ale yeast.

The beer comes in at 12% ABV. So it's strong enough to take away your winter blues, on this, the WORST day of the year.