Winter Warmers: Best Beers To Savor This Season

As the nights draw in and the temperature drops, it's time to turn our attention to winter warmers – those malty, sweet ales that range in colour from amber to jet black and boast a solid malt presence in their flavour profile and body. While traditional English versions don't contain spices, the wassail method includes adding spices to hearty ales before hopping.

But what are the best beers to drink in winter? Well, it's subjective, of course, but here are some of the top picks:

- Sierra Nevada Celebration

- Guinness Draught Stout

- Deschutes Black Butte Porter

- New Holland Dragon's Milk Bourbon Barrel Stout

- Anchor Christmas Ale

- Bell's Best Brown Ale

- Allagash Truepenny Pilsner

- Burial Hellstar Dark Lager

- Jack's Abby Smoke & Dagger Dark Lager

- Wookey Jack Rye Black IPA by Firestone Walker Brewing Company

- Blizzard of Hops by Troegs Independent Brewing

- Bourbon County Stout by Goose Island Beer Company

Characteristics of the best beers to drink in winter

Best winter beers with high alcohol content

Winter beers are typically dark and complex, with many incorporating flavours that pair well with winter feasting. Here are some of the best winter beers with high alcohol content:

Stouts

Stouts are dark, bitter, and roasty-flavoured beers that will leave you with a warm, full feeling—perfect for hibernation. They are black and taste like coffee, licorice, and chocolate. A stout should be full and creamy, making it an ideal sip on a cold winter night. A good example is the Guinness Draught Stout or the Bourbon County Stout by Goose Island Beer Company.

Porters

Porters are deep brown, reddish beers with a creamy head and a roasty chocolate flavour. They are slightly bitter and among the heaviest beer styles, making them ideal for the colder months when you need something to warm your insides. Try the Deschutes Black Butte Porter or the Jubelale by Deschutes Brewery.

Imperial Beers

Imperial beers are extra boozy. They are not the best choice if you plan on drinking around noon, but during the winter, when there are no cookouts or long vacation days to worry about, they become more appealing. The extra alcohol content provides a pleasant warmth, helping to make the cold nights more bearable. A good example is the Hopworks Bourbon Barrel Aged Abominable with an ABV of 11.3%.

Bourbon Barrel-Aged Beers

Another popular technique for winter brewers is barrel ageing. This involves letting the beer age in a used liquor barrel for months, imparting the oaky flavour of the liquor into the beer. This technique works best on heavy, high-alcohol beers, so they are especially well-suited for the colder months. Try the New Holland Dragon’s Milk Bourbon Barrel Stout, with a blend of oak, chocolatey notes, and dark roasted malts.

Chocolate and Coffee Beers

Stouts and porters already have subtle coffee and chocolate notes, and many brewers play on these flavours by adding chocolate and coffee to their brews. These heavy, dark flavours are perfect for the kind of dessert beers that scream winter. Try the Anchor Christmas Ale, which is spiced and dark, or the Fire Island Frozen Tail Ale by Fire Island Beer Company, with strong aromas of sweet malts and caramel.

Best winter beers with low alcohol content

Winter beers are typically dark and complex, with many incorporating flavours that pair well with winter feasting. However, there are plenty of low-alcohol beers that are just as suitable for the colder months.

Red Ales

Red ales are unique in that they are not quite the same as brown, dark, or pale ales. They are made with kilned malts and roasted barley, which gives them their recognisable colour, as well as contributing to their roasted, toffee-like flavour notes. They are medium-bodied and have a crisp, low-hop bitterness. Red ales typically fall between 4% and 5% ABV, making them an excellent choice for those looking for a robust yet easy-sipping beer to pair with winter stews and roasts.

Brown Ales

Brown ales date back to the 17th century and are named as such because they were originally made using brown malt. They are robust, smooth, buttery, and warming, making them ideal for cold winter months.

Black Lagers

Black lagers, also known as Schwarzbiers, are simply regular lagers made with roasted malts. Despite their dark appearance, they have a light body and a crisp, clean finish. They are a great option for those who want a beer with ample depth of flavour without the full body and richness of some winter beers.

Saisons

Saisons are a Belgian-style beer fermented with wild yeast, giving them complex, "funky" flavours. They are often lower in alcohol and make for a great way to celebrate the end of hibernation.

Bock Beers

Bock beers are traditional German beers that are usually reserved for celebratory occasions. They typically have a low ABV of around 6% and are known for their exceptionally smooth mouthfeel and drawn-out finish. They are a great transitional beer to sip as the weather starts to warm up.

Stouts

Stouts are a classic winter beer choice due to their dark, bitter, and roasty flavours. They have a warm, full, and creamy taste that is perfect for sipping on cold winter nights.

Porters

Porters are another excellent choice for winter, with their deep brown, reddish colour and creamy head. They have a roasty chocolate flavour with a slight bitterness and are one of the heaviest beer styles, making them ideal for drinking during the colder months.

Low-Alcohol Options

For those looking for low-alcohol options, there are plenty of excellent choices that are just as refreshing and complex as their higher-ABV counterparts. These include non-alcoholic and low-alcohol pale ales, lagers, and IPAs, as well as flavoured beers such as lager lime, which can be a great thirst-quencher.

Best winter beers to pair with food

As the cold weather sets in, it's time to swap those crisp, light summer beers for something a little richer and more comforting. But just because it's winter, it doesn't mean you have to give up on refreshing, easy-drinking beers altogether. There are plenty of options to suit every palate, and many of them pair beautifully with food.

Porters and Stouts

These dark, heavy beers are the classic winter tipple. With flavours of coffee, chocolate and liquorice, they're the perfect way to warm up on a cold night. They're also incredibly versatile when it comes to food pairing. Try a porter with roasted pork or a salty oyster dish, or sip a stout alongside game meats, grilled foods or fruity desserts.

Imperial Beers

Imperial beers are extra boozy, making them ideal for winter. They're also usually very flavourful, with rich, full bodies and a pleasant warmth. Imperial IPAs, in particular, are a great choice for winter, with their fruity, spicy and festive notes.

Doppelbocks

This traditional German beer is a stronger version of the classic bock. Doppelbocks are full-bodied, malty and smooth, with an ABV of at least 7%. They're often described as "liquid bread" and are perfect for pairing with hearty winter dishes.

Red Ales

Red ales are a unique style of beer that falls somewhere between brown, dark and pale ales. They have a robust flavour but remain easy to drink, making them a great choice for winter. They pair well with stews, roasts and other comforting meals.

Brown Ales

Brown ales may not be as popular as they once were, but they're making a comeback. With a malt-rich character and a subtle, low-hop bitterness, they're the perfect winter warmer.

Black Lagers

Don't be fooled by their dark appearance—black lagers are surprisingly light and crisp, with a clean, roasted malt flavour. They're an excellent choice if you want something a little different from the usual winter beers.

Scotch Ales

With their rich maltiness and full body, Scotch ales are perfect for sipping by the fireplace. They're not always the best match for food, as they can be quite filling, but they're great for cooking with.

Barley Wines

Barley wines are strong, robust beers with an ABV of up to 12%. They have a complex flavour profile, with notes of toffee and fruit, and a sharp finish. They're the perfect winter warmer and a great choice for pairing with desserts.

Best winter beers for dessert

Winter warmers, Christmas beers, and holiday ales are among the most distinctive seasonal beer categories. Winter beers are usually dark and complex, with some being sweet and heavy. They often feature spices, rich maltiness, and higher alcohol content. Here are some of the best winter beers for dessert:

Stouts and Porters

Stouts and porters are classic winter beers that provide a warm and creamy experience, perfect for sipping by the fireplace. Stouts are known for their dark, bitter, and roasty flavors, resembling coffee, licorice, and chocolate. Porters, on the other hand, have a deep brown or reddish color and a creamy head. They offer a roasty chocolate flavor with a slight bitterness. Both styles are ideal for the colder months when you crave something to warm your insides. Examples include the Bourbon County Stout by Goose Island Beer Company and Deschutes Black Butte Porter.

Imperial Beers

Imperial beers, also known as extra boozy beers, are perfect for winter evenings when you don't have to worry about cookouts or long vacation days. The higher alcohol content provides a pleasant warmth to counter the cold nights. Imperial Stouts, in particular, can be flavoured with almost anything, making them excellent vehicles for seasonal flavours.

Chocolate and Coffee Beers

Stouts and porters often have subtle coffee and chocolate notes, and some brewers enhance these flavours by adding chocolate and coffee to their brews. These beers are perfect for dessert and will satisfy your sweet tooth.

Eggnog Beers

Eggnog beers are a recent but welcomed addition to the winter beer scene. The creamy, spicy flavours of eggnog blend beautifully with heavy, dark beers. These beers are perfect for a slow-sipping dessert experience.

Barrel-Aged Beers

Barrel-aged beers are another popular choice for winter. This technique involves ageing the beer in used liquor barrels, imparting oaky flavours to the brew. The heavy, high-alcohol beers used for this process pair perfectly with the colder months.

Winter IPAs

While IPAs are typically associated with summer, there is a growing trend of winter IPAs that offer a nice break from the thick, heavy winter beer options. These beers often feature unique hop varieties and provide a refreshing break from shovelling snow or other winter chores!

Best winter beers to try something new

With the cold weather setting in, it's the perfect time to try some new beers. While summer beers are light and refreshing, winter beers tend to be darker and more complex, often incorporating festive spices and flavours. Here are some of the best winter beers to try something new:

Stouts and Porters

Stouts and porters are classic winter beers, with their dark, bitter, and roasty flavours. They are black in colour and taste like coffee, licorice, and chocolate. A stout should be full and creamy, while a porter is deep brown or reddish with a creamy head. Both styles are among the heaviest beer options and are perfect for warming you up during the cold winter months.

Try the Bourbon County Stout by Goose Island Beer Company, or the Deschutes Black Butte Porter by Deschutes Brewery.

Imperial Beers

Imperial beers are extra boozy, making them ideal for winter when there are no cookouts or long vacation days to worry about. The higher alcohol content provides a pleasant warmth to combat the chilly nights.

Try New Holland Dragon's Milk Bourbon Barrel Stout, or Bell's Best Brown Ale.

Barrel-Aged Beers

Barrel-aged beers are another popular choice for winter. These beers are aged in used liquor barrels, imparting oaky flavours to the brew. The process works best on heavy, high-alcohol beers, making them especially well-suited for the colder months.

Try the Hopworks Bourbon Barrel-Aged Abominable by Hopworks Urban Brewery, or the Bourbon County Stout by Goose Island Beer Company.

Chocolate and Coffee Beers

Stouts and porters often have subtle coffee and chocolate notes, and some brewers play on these flavours by adding chocolate and coffee to their brews. These beers are perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth while keeping you warm during the winter.

Try the Deep Wood series by Revolution Brewing, which includes a caramel bomb called Straight Jacket barley wine.

Christmas and Winter Ales

Christmas and winter ales are a must-try during the festive season. These beers are usually hearty, dark, or Belgian options that age well. They often incorporate spices, such as nutmeg and cinnamon, and pair perfectly with the cosy atmosphere of the winter holidays.

Try the Christmas Ale by Anchor Brewing, or the Winter Solstice Seasonal Ale by Anderson Valley Brewing Company.

Frequently asked questions