25 best seasonal beers for winter

Since 2013, Samuel Adams has been serving up Cold Snap. This Belgian-style white ale has become a staple during the winter months, as its hints of orange peel and coriander give our bodies a sense of warming up. What makes this ale different from other seasonals is how light it comes across, making it highly crushable. 

Are you ready to take the edge off? Troegs’ Mad Elf, which comes in at 11.0%, will do the trick. This Pennsylvania delicacy oozes with a variety of dark cherries, with a touch of chocolate and seasonal spices on the finish. This sipper certainly lives up to claims of being “bold” and “intense.” 

Victory never disappoints when it comes to strong brews. It's Merry Monkey fits the mold of a spiced ale that packs a punch at 9.5%. This concoction takes the form of a liquid gingerbread cookie, offering cinnamon, sweet molasses, and a dash of ginger to make you feel as though Grandma just served up her latest batch for you. 

If you're in the mood to feel as though you're cozied up in a snowy log cabin, this Allagash beer accomplishes that feeling. The wheat beer has the traditional winter ale mix, while the fresh ginger is particularly prevalent. At 7.5%, this is a good one to crack a few open and pop on your favorite holiday movie. 

This one was created with skiers in mind as this Colorado-based brewery wanted to come up with something to help resortgoers beat the cold from the slopes. This one is characterized as a winter hazy IPA, offering up tropical fruit and citrus notes. I've become a fan of this one because it's very different from the stouts and white ales around the holidays. With some bright hops and none of the spices, this one is just right for someone looking to add something different to their rotation. 

One of the longest-running beers on this list, Celebration IPA has been gracing our festive mantles since the 1980s. Unlike its traditional spiced ale counterparts in the seasonal department, this beer is hip-forward, with notes of pine and citrus. If you're looking for something with a little more character and not as many spices, this is the ideal winter pour.  

Not only has this one become a tradition in itself, but it was one of the seasonal beers that put this category on the map when it was created in the early 1990s. The honey notes give this winter brew a distinct taste as the usual warming spices come through on the finish. Personally, this is one that always finds its way into my beer fridge come December. 

This limited offering shies away from the spices most often found in this beer style, instead opting for malty notes like caramel. This Scotch Ale clocks in at 7.5% and is a nice change of pace from the standard winter ales. The creamy head also gives this pour a unique quality for all your holiday gatherings. 

There are only so many times in a year when you get to crush a Dunkelweizen, and when the weather gets below freezing, Shiner’s dark wheat hits the spot. Since 2010, this Texas-bred brew has graced shelves across the country with its eye-catching seasonal label. It gives drinkers a lighter option, filled with local fruit and nuts. The subtleness of the fruit blends well with the malty notes. 

A newer one to the scene, this beer claims to bring dark fruit, blood orange, and pine aromas to the table. As someone who has tried this one out of New York, I can attest that there’s a strong citrus finish to this one that is warmed up with spice notes. What makes this one slightly different from other seasonal IPAs is that it’s brewed as a Red IPA, bringing out a stronger malt profile. 

Who doesn’t love an ale packed to the brim with flavor? Coming in at 8%, this dark ruby-colored beer has a mix of orange peel, figs, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, and ginger. All of that comes together in perfect harmony, making an ideal pairing with those holiday cookies staring at you from the kitchen counter. 

Don’t let the cartoonish elves fool you. This beer packs a punch. The strong blonde ale has all the usual spices, but some of you may taste something slightly unique in the form of white peppers. Cozy up next to a fireplace and kick back with this cold one that will warm you up with its 9.0% ABV. 

Some like to refer to this one as the smoothest beer they’ve ever had. Having had it myself, I’ll attach my name to those who claim it. Whenever you see nitro alongside any beer, you know you’re getting yourself into something with a noticeable amount of creaminess and smoothness. The roasted coffee and milk chocolate oozes through. Just remember, to pour hard to keep that nitro effect in full force! 

You’ve seen this Christmas tree-bearing label at your local store. This is one of the oldest ones on the list, dating back to the mid-1970s, which means if it’s lasted this long, it has to be good. Notes of toffee and cacao come through, as do shades of honey. This is another beer that keeps people coming back with its changing labels and slight recipe tweaks. 

When looking for a beer perfect for the cold months, look no further than one from Iceland. The Winter Ale from Einstok combines smoked Icelandic barley and whiskey-cured spruce for a smooth finish. This is one of the few on this list that caters to a smoked palette, making it that much better at bringing down the body temperature after a long day of shoveling snow. 

I’m a sucker for a festive label, so when I saw this one adorned with Santa Claus on a canoe, a la a sleigh with alligators instead of reindeer, I couldn’t not buy it. This specialty dark ale takes on different textures and flavors each season, which adds to the seasonality of it all. 

Not only is this Central Virginia brewery awesome to visit, but it also produces some must-have winter beers. The Gingerbread Stout is exactly what you’d think it would be: it’s your favorite holiday cookie in liquid form. It’s made with baby ginger and wildflower honey that parlays into a decadent finish. 

A classic for beer lovers, there aren’t many stouts that are as renowned as this one from Oregon. Brimming with notes of chocolate and espresso, this year-round delicacy is far better when you’re bundled up in blankets and settling in for the evening. There’s a ton of depth to this brew, so be sure to take your time sipping and appreciate the levels that this beer offers. 

A highly ranked beer on BeerAdvocate, this American IPA offers a complex floral and spicy profile that checks in around 7%. There’s a touch of sweetness that comes through over the heavy caramel body. For IPA lovers, this one is among the most sought-after beers during the winter months. 

We all know that iconic “seasick crocodile” line in “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch.” Just as that song is unique in its own right, so, too, is this beer. This rare sour comes out around the holidays, with flavors of cranberries, ginger, cinnamon, and nutmeg. If you’re looking for something completely different than the usual suspects in the winter beer section, take a look at this one — you can’t miss its incredible label featuring a crocodile chasing Santa, either. 

A Winter Warmer style, Festive Ale offers a cream-colored head that tends to land on the sweet side. Some like to say it comes across with a strong chocolate taste, while others lean towards a coffee finish. Either way, this beer has been a popular choice since the early 2000s. 

Those hearty dishes that pile up during the holiday season pair best with this Winter Warmer. The mix of hops in this one creates a balanced beverage that offers a clean finish, making it a perfect complement to your favorite holiday foods. Notes of brown bread, red fruit, and toffee are often found in this recipe. 

The second offering on the list from Deschutes, Jubelale, is one of the most well-respected winter ales on the market ever since it arrived in the 80s. The cool story about this one is that every year, the brewery uses a new artist to create the wintry scene on the label, making this one of the most collected cans among beer enthusiasts. 

A favorite of mine, this brew brings a lot of chocolate flavor that has enough biscuit flavor to offset any sweetness. Bonus points for having a cool can label, as a fox is wearing a ski hat that truly makes you feel as though you’re about to kick back in the snow-covered woods. 

I grabbed this beer a couple of years back solely because of the unique bottle size (11.2 oz) and the festive gnomes adorning the label. I quickly found that this beer is loaded with spices and rich flavors. It's no wonder it's a true 10% beer. This surely lives up to the mantle of Belgian Strong Dark Ale.