12 Best Beers To Enjoy During The Winter

Sierra Nevada's Bigfoot

If you're in the mood for a malty winter beer, consider trying Sierra Nevada's Bigfoot Ale. This barleywine is crafted with two types of malt and three varieties of hops, resulting in a rich flavor profile. Barleywine, made primarily from barley, offers a taste reminiscent of beer while boasting an alcohol content that rivals wine. According to Tom Acitelli, "This style, which dates back to the Middle Ages, has little to do with wine aside from a hint of vinous flavor on the palate. Its alcohol content typically ranges from 8% to 10% by volume, and can even reach 12% or 13%." Bigfoot Ale has an ABV of 9.6% and is best enjoyed slowly to fully appreciate its complex flavors. It's perfect for those who appreciate beers with a pronounced hop character, which can contribute bitterness and depth.

You can find this brew in most stores with a solid beer selection, but it's only available during the winter months. If you spot it between January and April, be sure to stock up, as it won't be on shelves at other times of the year. Acitelli describes it as an "excellent representation of the style and widely accessible."

Revolution Brewing's Straight Jacket

Revolution Brewing's Straight Jacket barleywine can be somewhat elusive, but Tom Acitelli believes it's worth the effort to track down. This brew features the warm flavors typical of its style, along with a deep hue that suggests its rich profile. With notes of brown sugar and vanilla, it's ideal for the chillier months. Aged in bourbon barrels, it enhances the warm finish, distinguishing it from other barleywines and imparting a subtle oaky flavor.

"Expect a vibrant display of malty sweetness and delightful Belgian lace on the glass as the head diminishes," Acitelli notes. Like other beers in this category, it appears reddish-brown to black when poured. With a robust 15% ABV, it's definitely a brew to sip and enjoy, making it perfect for cozy nights indoors. The Straight Jacket is a limited release from Revolution Brewing, available only in late fall as winter approaches, so be sure to stock up if you come across it and want to keep it in your beer fridge.

Founder's Brewing Company's Dirty Bastard Ale

Scotch ale closely resembles traditional barleywine but has its roots in Scotland. According to Tom Acitelli, "Scotch ales are generally less sweet." Instead, they are characterized by a more bitter yet smooth profile. Like barleywine, Scotch ale boasts a high alcohol content, making it an excellent choice for sipping on a chilly winter evening. It differs slightly from Scottish ale, which is typically not as potent, although both styles are often found side by side on store shelves. For those who aren't seasoned enthusiasts, it can be challenging to tell them apart, so it's best to focus on flavor profiles rather than labels when choosing between the two.

Founder's Brewing Company's Dirty Bastard ale is rich in malt and features a dark red hue, appealing to both the palate and the eye during the winter months. Malty beers are usually sweeter and exhibit more pronounced grain flavors due to the malt used in brewing. Dirty Bastard offers hints of sweetness, including caramel and dried fruit notes, while remaining smooth and full-bodied. You'll also detect undertones of tobacco and spices, creating a complex brew. This Scotch ale is available in cans or bottles year-round, so you can enjoy it anytime without waiting for a particular season.

Founder's Brewing Company's Backwoods Bastard

If you're looking for something even more robust than the Dirty Bastard, consider its sibling from Founder's Brewing Company: the Backwoods Bastard ale. This brew shares the same delightful notes of dried fruit and caramel, but with an added depth of oakiness from its aging in oak bourbon barrels. You'll also detect hints of whiskey and spices in each sip. The aroma of this ale is particularly inviting, enhancing the overall tasting experience.

With an alcohol content of 11%, Backwoods Bastard is slightly stronger than the Dirty Bastard ale. As you enjoy this Scotch ale, it’s easy to understand why this style is often referred to as "Wee Heavy." Founder's Brewing Company describes it as a "kick-back sipper," perfect for unwinding during the colder months. It's widely available at various wine and beer retailers, and you can also arrange for delivery, just like with other offerings from Founder's Brewing Company.

Oskar Blues' Old Chub

Oskar Blues' Old Chub Scotch ale is rich in maltiness, featuring a blend of seven distinct malt varieties. It carries a hint of smokiness and a robust intensity, yet it also showcases toffee notes that contribute to the classic depth and spice associated with a quality Scotch ale. You'll detect flavors of candied figs and raisins mingling with the sweet toffee, all thanks to the malt.

With an alcohol content of 8% ABV, Old Chub is slightly lower than many other Scotch ales and barleywines, making it a suitable choice for those seeking something less overpowering. Despite its lower alcohol level, it is packed with bold flavors and a good amount of alcohol, encouraging you to savor it slowly to appreciate its complexity.

Tom Acitelli recommends, "If you can find a thistle glass — with a large, rounded base and a slender neck, all resting on a long stem — definitely use it. That’s the traditional glass for Scotch ale." This glass design, resembling a thistle (Scotland's national flower), helps to concentrate the beer's flavors with its round bottom and narrow neck that widens at the top. Alternatively, you can enjoy it from an aluminum can, a format popularized by Oskar Blues in the early 2000s, offering a convenient way to savor a craft beer.

Samuel Smith's Oatmeal Stout

Stouts are a favored choice in the winter months, but you can explore specialized varieties that feature even heartier ingredients. Oatmeal stout, for instance, is crafted with oatmeal, imparting a robust, freshly baked flavor reminiscent of enjoying a thick slice of warm bread. If you're looking to sample a distinctive stout, consider pouring a glass of Samuel Smith's oatmeal stout. "Oatmeal stout is a richer, denser take on stout," explains Tom Acitelli. "The oatmeal contributes to its fuller body, although you might struggle to actually taste the oats since fermentation breaks them down." While you won't be chewing your drink, the luxuriously thick mouthfeel may give that impression at times.

This option is smooth and silky, offering a delightful creaminess to this winter brew. It pours dark and opaque with a modest 5% ABV. Thanks to the original well water sourced by the brewery, it represents a very traditional interpretation of oatmeal stout. The brewery proudly claims to be the oldest in Yorkshire, having been established in 1758—the same year the original well was dug, which continues to supply water for brewing to this day.

Anderson Valley Brewing's Barney Flats

If you're in search of an oatmeal stout that's almost good enough to eat, look no further than Barney Flats from Anderson Valley Brewing. It delivers a comforting sensation reminiscent of enjoying a delicious loaf of bread. While it's perfect for sipping on chilly nights, stouts also pair wonderfully with chocolate desserts, and this creamy oatmeal stout is a top contender. Its subtle sweetness enhances the chocolate notes and balances the richness of dark chocolate with a touch of bitterness.

The beer pours a deep, opaque brown, topped with a mahogany-hued head. This version features the roasted characteristics that oatmeal stout enthusiasts appreciate and expect from the style. You may also detect notes of dried cherry, toffee, and espresso. Despite its rich flavors, it isn't overly sweet and boasts a smooth mouthfeel, making it an ideal choice for a hearty winter brew.

This oatmeal stout has garnered numerous accolades, including a platinum award at the World Beer Championships and a gold medal at the U.S. Open Beer Championship, among others. It is available in cans and has an ABV of 5.8%.

Samuel Adams' Honey Queen

You may believe that Sam Adams offers a wide range of beer choices, but the Honey Queen stands out as a specialty brew that deviates from the typical offerings of this popular brand. While it can be somewhat elusive, Tom Acitelli suggests seeking it out if you're interested in experiencing an excellent version of braggot, a mead-inspired beer that dates back to the Middle Ages. Mead has been crafted since the discovery of fermenting honey with water and yeast to produce a delightfully sweet alcoholic drink. The Honey Queen boasts a pronounced honey flavor in both its taste and aroma, yet it remains a beer rather than a traditional mead.

Braggot shares similarities with mead but adds hops to the brewing process. "This legendary beverage from ancient times — which had already been around for centuries by the Middle Ages, when written accounts began to emerge — merges honey-based mead with ale to create a sweet yet invigorating brew that typically has a high alcohol content," he explains. The Honey Queen is particularly sweet due to its namesake ingredient, and it also features a hint of floral notes from the chamomile included in the recipe. With an ABV of 7.5%, it is on the lower end for a braggot, but still relatively strong for those accustomed to standard beers.

Atlantic Brewing Company's Brother Adam's Honey Bragget

Finding Atlantic Brewing Company's Brother Adam's Honey Bragget may require some effort, but the reward is well worth it. This unique brew, crafted with honey for a touch of sweetness, pays homage to a monk with a passion for bees. While it features an alternative spelling of "braggot," it maintains the same brewing tradition, resulting in a rich and warming beer with a pronounced honey flavor. "Braggot can be quite dense and rich, too, almost chewy," notes Tom Acitelli. He suggests treating the search for this brew as a quest, making it an ideal pursuit during the long winter months.

Based in Maine, Atlantic Brewing Company ages Brother Adam's Honey Bragget for six months. The brewery also mentions that further aging can enhance the beer's complexity. With an ABV of 10.5%, it is notably stronger than the Sam Adams Honey Queen, aligning more closely with the typical profile of other braggots.

Captain Fatty's Carry The Fire

Not all winter brews are stouts, and even fans of IPAs can discover a variant that will keep them warm during the chilly months. Carry The Fire from Captain Fatty's is a highly acclaimed Black IPA that merges hoppy notes with flavors of chocolate, pine, and cherries. You'll also notice undertones of rich dark chocolate, along with a touch of smokiness from this robust beer.

"These darker, hoppier brews blend roasted malt characteristics with pine and citrus hop flavors to produce a well-rounded and bold beer," explains Damien Zouaoui regarding Black IPAs. Also referred to as Cascadian dark ales, Black IPAs are significantly darker than traditional IPAs, which is how they earned their name. They also boast a more pronounced hop flavor, enhancing their complexity and making them perfect for those seeking a substantial, hearty beer.

With an ABV of 8.3%, Carry The Fire falls in line with the typical alcohol content of IPAs, which generally have a higher alcohol level compared to some other styles. While it’s not as intense as a brandywine, it serves as a solid middle-ground choice in terms of potency.

Devils Backbone Brewing Company's Dark Abby

Brown sugar, plum, and spices combine to make Devils Backbone Brewing Company's Dark Abby an ideal selection for winter. This Belgian-style dubbel beer pours a rich dark burgundy, adding a lovely visual element to your winter gatherings. While Belgium is renowned for its tripels, which share similarities with dubbels in their brewing process, dubbels typically have a slightly lower alcohol content while maintaining the same level of sweetness and smoothness. Dark Abby boasts an ABV of 7.5%, aligning perfectly with the characteristics of a classic dubbel. Although this style of beer can be robust, it also features fruity notes that contribute to its unique flavor profile. Dubbels are classified as brown ales and are characterized by their dark brown appearance.

"Belgian dubbels or quadrupels are also fantastic options because of their intricate, warming flavors, which encompass dried fruit, molasses, and a touch of spice," notes Damien Zouaoui when discussing the best winter beers. Located in Virginia, Devil's Backbone Brewing Company specializes in a diverse range of beers, with a strong emphasis on outdoor experiences. The brewery takes pride in uniting people over a drink in every season, whether at a mountain peak during a summer hike or after a day on the ski slopes.

Spiced stouts

Our collection of winter beers wouldn’t be complete without stouts. These rich brews are a staple during the colder months, celebrated for their robust and velvety mouthfeel along with their warming flavors. The deep hues of these beers make them ideal for winter, offering a creamy, indulgent texture that stands in stark contrast to the bright, refreshing ales you might enjoy in the summer.

Both small and large breweries often add their unique twist to stouts, resulting in a diverse selection. "Local breweries frequently put their own spin on classic stouts, and you might even stumble upon seasonal special editions infused with festive spices like cinnamon or nutmeg," notes Damien Zouaoui. Visiting local tasting rooms can be a delightful way to pass the time in winter, especially when outdoor activities are limited. Don’t overlook the smaller craft breweries, as many offer limited releases and are constantly experimenting with various brewing techniques and flavor profiles. You might just discover a stout that’s truly one-of-a-kind!

For even more stout choices, be sure to explore our list of delightful holiday stouts to get you into the festive mood. Many feature seasonal flavors like peppermint or gingerbread, but they can be enjoyed throughout the winter or any time of year if you’re a stout lover. Keep in mind that many of these holiday-specific brews are produced in small batches, making them harder to find in other seasons. If you come across one you adore, be sure to stock up while you can!