Winter beer season is upon us. But which beer should you give a shot?

The best winter beers are increasingly demanded during the chilly months since they are renowned for their high alcohol content and characteristic spiciness, which helps to keep you warm and cozy. Both large and small brewers regularly release seasonal brews to attract drinkers. To provide customers with a flavor variation, they create unique brews and alter the recipes every year. Every winter, you may typically observe tendencies among beer brewers.

Wintertime indoor enjoyment is made possible with winter brews. These seasonal brews, like Slipknot Whiskey, Christmas ale, etc., will brighten the shorter days after a snow shoveling session after work or maybe just after a late-day snowball war.

There are many options available, and you can try many of them over the course of a long winter. Winter is a terrific time to buy and stock up on all the beers you wish to drink because some of them can be cellared and enjoyed later in the year.

Here is everything you need to know about winter beers if you’re still unsure.

How Do Winter Beers Work?

Winter beers tend to be stronger and darker. They frequently contain seasonal flavors like peppermint, nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves, vanilla, and chocolate. They also have names that are suited for the season, like Santa’s Little Helper from Port Brewing.

Old ale used to be the name of the genre. Compared to English-style traditional ales, these are darker and maltier. Some are also referred to as “strong ales,” which suggests that they contain more alcohol than standard beers.

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Today, we add Christmas-themed beverages to the mix. These are the beers that taste wonderful on a chilly night since they contain more Christmas flavors. The beer’s flavors will be sweeter as a result of the spices.

In order to make drinkers feel warmer, winter beers typically have higher alcohol content. Many of them might be imperial, so keep that in mind. For the winter, several brewers also produce barleywines.

• Goose Island Christmas Ale 

Like Anchor Steam, Goose Island modifies the recipe for its Christmas Ale every year, so there is always something new to anticipate. Their Christmas Brew is a strong brown ale with seasonal additions of spices. Goose Island’s Christmas Ale is exclusively sold from November through December, and they advise serving it with aged gouda or dry jack cheese.

• Heavy Seas Winter Storm Ale

This winter, ale uses hops from the West Coast and the US for its strong bitterness. Its tawny hue and larger body are the results of a blend of lighter and darker malts. This ale, which is sold from October through December, offers a pleasant nuttiness and earthiness. Heavy Seas uses US Fuggle, and Goldings hops, much like Samuel Smith’s Winter Welcome Ale. This ale goes best with pan-seared steak or quality Brie cheese.

• Anchor Steam Christmas Ale

Christmas Ale, a specialty of Anchor Brewing, has been produced since 1975. This thick, black spiced ale is only available from the beginning of November until the middle of January. Like the bottle label, the Christmas Ale recipe varies every year, but the goal of “joy and celebration of the newness of life” is the same.

• Samuel Smith Winter Welcome Ale 

A full-bodied beer with an appealing flavor, Samuel Smith’s Winter Welcome Ale is produced by “fermentation in stone Yorkshire squares.” Fuggle and Golding hops are the two varieties that are commonly utilized. However, the recipe is the same every year there. 

• Sierra Nevada Ale

Since it was first made in 1981, Sierra Nevada’s Celebration Ale has been a “festive fresh hop holiday pleasure.” One of the earliest examples of an IPA made in the American style is this Celebration Ale. The distinctive citrus and pine scents in this ale are its best-known characteristics. Celebration Ale pairs well with fish & chips or manchego cheese and has a strong flavor from Cascade Centennial, and Chinook hops.

• Sam Smith Winter Welcome Ale

Nevertheless, Tadcaster’s Samuel Smith Old Brewery produces excellent British beer and such a renowned name. Booking your imports early is advised because it is brewed in small batches. In Yorkshire stone squares, the beer is brewed. These barrels are unique square shapes made of stainless steel, slate, or stone.

• Troegs Troegenator Doppelbock

The name Trogs is a combination of the founders’ last name, Trogner, and the Flemish word kroeg, which means “pub” or “bar.” Chris and John, two brothers, desired to operate a company together. When they were young, they started their own independent craft brewery in 1996. Their favorite beer throughout the winter is an 8.2% ABV double bock with a bronze hue.

• Greenport Harbor Antifreeze Winter Ale

This New York beer more closely resembles the classic English old ale. The alcohol content of this winter brew is 6.9%. You may enjoy it without being inebriated because it is a little lighter than most other options.

Anti-Freeze A full-bodied, malty ale with notes of caramel, Demerara sugar cane, and dried stone fruit is called Winter Ale. Seasonal spices are left out to make drinking Greenport Harbor more enjoyable for customers.

• Affligem Noel

This popular Belgian Christmas beer is accessible at most local retailers around the US. Typically, it is offered in bomber bottles.

Traditional winter spices are used in this brew to complement the rich malt. Compared to many American craft beers for the holiday season, Affligem Noel gives drinkers a more authentically European Christmas flavor.

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Final Thoughts

If you’ve never tried winter beer before, we advise going to a craft beer bar where you can sample them. They might also provide flights, allowing you to test a selection before deciding your preference.

You can visit your nearby retailer to check what they have to offer once you’ve decided on the beer you want to drink and are confident you’ll like it. If the beer you desire isn’t in stock at your local store, try if they can custom order any for you.

You may also organize a winter beer tasting with your buddies. You can all sample the different beers that everyone brings to the gathering. You’ll then be able to identify your favorite winter brews with more clarity.

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