1 / 100
#100. Snow Cap
Brewery: Pyramid Breweries, Inc.
ABV: 7.0%
Score: 3.51
Ratings: 874
100 best winter warmer beers for the holiday season
With winter upon us, 'tis the season for spending time indoors with family and friends—and for keeping warm with a few favorite libations. Chief among these are winter warmer beers; a distinctive class of malty, sweet brews marked by full-bodied flavor, deep and rich color (from brownish-red to black), and delightfully balanced overtones.
These robust brews celebrate the season with words in their names like "fireside," "Christmas," and "bonfire." English varietals often come unspiced, while others carry traditional "wassail" flavors like cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg. Stacker scoured the Beer Advocate to curate the 100 best winter warmer beers for this holiday season. For the purposes of this list, only winter warmer beers with 50 or more ratings were considered, and ties were broken by the number of rankings available. Check out this slideshow to see if you're favorites are among it—and to find a few new varieties to try before spring.
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2 / 100
#99. Fireside Chat
Brewery: 21st Amendment Brewery
ABV: 7.9%
Score: 3.51
Ratings: 1,327
3 / 100
#98. Blitzen Holiday Ale
Brewery: Maumee Bay Brewing Company
ABV: 7.7%
Score: 3.52
Ratings: 74
4 / 100
#97. Dundee Festive Ale
Brewery: Genesee Brewing Co. / Dundee Brewing Co.
ABV: 6.2%
Score: 3.52
Ratings: 162
5 / 100
#96. Christmas Ale
Brewery: Breckenridge Brewery
ABV: 7.1%
Score: 3.52
Ratings: 1,126
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6 / 100
#95. Young's Winter Warmer
Brewery: Wells & Young's Ltd
ABV: 5.0%
Score: 3.53
Ratings: 243
7 / 100
#94. Hoppy Holidaze
Brewery: Marin Brewing Company
ABV: 7.0%
Score: 3.55
Ratings: 108
8 / 100
#93. Wassail Ale
Brewery: Woodstock Inn Brewery
ABV: 8.0%
Score: 3.56
Ratings: 104
9 / 100
#92. Great Lakes Winter Ale
Brewery: Great Lakes Brewery
ABV: 6.2%
Score: 3.56
Ratings: 121
10 / 100
#91. Slick Nick Winter Ale
Brewery: Sebago Brewing Company
ABV: 7.2%
Score: 3.58
Ratings: 136
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11 / 100
#90. Red Nose Winter Ale
Brewery: Natty Greene's Pub & Brewing Co.
ABV: 6.8%
Score: 3.58
Ratings: 190
12 / 100
#89. Redhook Winterhook
Brewery: Redhook Ale Brewery
ABV: 6.0%
Score: 3.58
Ratings: 948
13 / 100
#88. Atwater Lebkuchen Christmas Ale
Brewery: Atwater Brewery
ABV: 6.2%
Score: 3.60
Ratings: 61
14 / 100
#87. He'Brew Hanukkah, Chanukah: Pass The Beer
Brewery: Shmaltz Brewing Company
ABV: 8.0%
Score: 3.60
Ratings: 168
15 / 100
#86. Never Summer Ale
Brewery: Boulder Beer / Wilderness Pub
ABV: 6.5%
Score: 3.60
Ratings: 573
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16 / 100
#85. The First Snow Ale
Brewery: RJ Rockers Brewing Company
ABV: 6.0%
Score: 3.61
Ratings: 199
17 / 100
#84. Winter Ale
Brewery: Rivertown Brewery & Barrel House
ABV: 7.0%
Score: 3.62
Ratings: 140
18 / 100
#83. Festivus
Brewery: Full Pint Brewing Company
ABV: 6.0%
Score: 3.62
Ratings: 155
19 / 100
#82. Powder Hound Winter Ale
Brewery: Big Sky Brewing Company
ABV: 7.2%
Score: 3.62
Ratings: 538
20 / 100
#81. Barrel Aged Brrrbon (Brothers' Reserve Series)
Brewery: Widmer Brothers Brewing Company
ABV: 9.4%
Score: 3.62
Ratings: 588
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21 / 100
#80. Winter Warmer
Brewery: Hangar 24 Brewing
ABV: 7.8%
Score: 3.63
Ratings: 64
22 / 100
#79. Jubilation Ale
Brewery: Baird Brewing Company / Fishmarket Taproom
ABV: 7.0%
Score: 3.64
Ratings: 75
23 / 100
#78. Rosey Nosey
Brewery: George Bateman & Son / Batemans Brewery
ABV: 5.0%
Score: 3.64
Ratings: 83
24 / 100
#77. Oppigårds Winter Ale
Brewery: Oppigårds Bryggeri AB
ABV: 5.3%
Score: 3.64
Ratings: 128
25 / 100
#76. Ebenezer Ale
Brewery: BridgePort Brewing Co. / Brewpub
ABV: 6.4%
Score: 3.64
Ratings: 447
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26 / 100
#75. Winter Ale
Brewery: Mt. Carmel Brewing Company
ABV: 8.0%
Score: 3.66
Ratings: 79
27 / 100
#74. Pike Auld Acquaintance Hoppy Holiday Ale
Brewery: Pike Brewing Company
ABV: 5.5%
Score: 3.66
Ratings: 133
28 / 100
#73. Winter Welcome Ale
Brewery: Samuel Smith Old Brewery (Tadcaster)
ABV: 6.0%
Score: 3.67
Ratings: 2,272
29 / 100
#72. Christmas Ale
Brewery: Sly Fox Brewing Company
ABV: 6.5%
Score: 3.68
Ratings: 425
30 / 100
#71. Frostnipper Winter Warmer
Brewery: Aviator Brewing Company
ABV: 7.3%
Score: 3.69
Ratings: 72
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31 / 100
#70. 3 Scrooges
Brewery: Griffin Claw Brewing Company
ABV: 6.5%
Score: 3.69
Ratings: 74
32 / 100
#69. Diamond Knot Ho! Ho! Winter Ale
Brewery: Diamond Knot Brewery
ABV: 8.5%
Score: 3.69
Ratings: 85
33 / 100
#68. 25 Dodici
Brewery: Birra Del Borgo
ABV: 9.5%
Score: 3.69
Ratings: 102
34 / 100
#67. Schlafly Christmas Ale
Brewery: The Schlafly Tap Room
ABV: 8.0%
Score: 3.69
Ratings: 562
35 / 100
#66. Poacher's Choice
Brewery: Badger Brewery, Hall and Woodhouse
ABV: 5.7%
Score: 3.70
Ratings: 63
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36 / 100
#65. Mogul Madness Ale
Brewery: Rogue Ales
ABV: 6.6%
Score: 3.70
Ratings: 335
37 / 100
#64. BiFrost
Brewery: Elysian Brewing Company
ABV: 8.3%
Score: 3.70
Ratings: 543
38 / 100
#63. Batch 666
Brewery: Appalachian Brewing Company
ABV: 7.7%
Score: 3.71
Ratings: 90
39 / 100
#62. Winter Warmer Ale
Brewery: No-Li Brewhouse
ABV: 7.5%
Score: 3.72
Ratings: 60
40 / 100
#61. Vertical Winter Ale
Brewery: Tree Brewing
ABV: 5.0%
Score: 3.73
Ratings: 50
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41 / 100
#60. Wasatch First One Down
Brewery: Utah Brewers Cooperative
ABV: 7.1%
Score: 3.73
Ratings: 55
42 / 100
#59. Father John's Winter Ale
Brewery: Howe Sound Inn & Brewing Company
ABV: 7.0%
Score: 3.73
Ratings: 69
43 / 100
#58. Winter Warmer
Brewery: The Brew Kettle Taproom & Smokehouse / Production Works
ABV: 8.0%
Score: 3.73
Ratings: 148
44 / 100
#57. Winterbraun
Brewery: Lost Coast Brewery and Cafe
ABV: 8.0%
Score: 3.73
Ratings: 446
45 / 100
#56. Summit Winter Ale
Brewery: Summit Brewing Company
ABV: 6.1%
Score: 3.73
Ratings: 588
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46 / 100
#55. Nutcracker Winter Warmer Ale
Brewery: Boulevard Brewing Co.
ABV: 7.8%
Score: 3.73
Ratings: 920
47 / 100
#54. Elevator Winter Warmer Ale
Brewery: Elevator Brewery & Draught Haus
ABV: 8.6%
Score: 3.74
Ratings: 59
48 / 100
#53. Fish Tale Winterfish
Brewery: Fish Brewing Company / Fishbowl Brewpub
ABV: 7.5%
Score: 3.74
Ratings: 182
49 / 100
#52. Frosted Frog Christmas Ale
Brewery: Hoppin' Frog Brewery
ABV: 8.6%
Score: 3.74
Ratings: 416
50 / 100
#51. Casco Bay Winter Ale (Old Port Ale)
Brewery: Casco Bay Brewing Co.
ABV: 7.3%
Score: 3.75
Ratings: 84
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51 / 100
#50. Old Bat Rastard
Brewery: Freetail Brewing Company
ABV: 9.1%
Score: 3.75
Ratings: 97
52 / 100
#49. Winter Warmer
Brewery: Rahr & Sons Brewing Company
ABV: 8.5%
Score: 3.75
Ratings: 233
53 / 100
#48. Lions Winter Ale
Brewery: Granville Island Brewery
ABV: 5.5%
Score: 3.75
Ratings: 260
54 / 100
#47. Festivus Holiday Ale
Brewery: Black Raven Brewing Co.
ABV: 7.6%
Score: 3.76
Ratings: 50
55 / 100
#46. Bonfire Ale
Brewery: Fremont Brewing Company
ABV: 6.0%
Score: 3.76
Ratings: 158
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56 / 100
#45. Prelude
Brewery: Shipyard Brewing Company
ABV: 6.7%
Score: 3.76
Ratings: 581
57 / 100
#44. Winter Ale
Brewery: Telegraph Brewing Company
ABV: 7.1%
Score: 3.77
Ratings: 81
58 / 100
#43. Brrr
Brewery: Widmer Brothers Brewing Company
ABV: 7.2%
Score: 3.77
Ratings: 968
59 / 100
#42. Samuel Adams Old Fezziwig Ale
Brewery: Boston Beer Company (Samuel Adams)
ABV: 5.9%
Score: 3.77
Ratings: 3,715
60 / 100
#41. Christian Moerlein Christkindl Winter Warmer
Brewery: Christian Moerlein Brewing Company
ABV: 7.0%
Score: 3.78
Ratings: 123
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61 / 100
#40. Ill-Tempered Gnome
Brewery: Oakshire Brewing
ABV: 6.8%
Score: 3.78
Ratings: 127
62 / 100
#39. Christmas Ale
Brewery: West Sixth Brewing Company
ABV: 9.0%
Score: 3.79
Ratings: 100
63 / 100
#38. Winter Warmer
Brewery: Columbus Brewing Company
ABV: 7.5%
Score: 3.79
Ratings: 112
64 / 100
#37. Fa La La La La
Brewery: Double Mountain Brewery & Taproom
ABV: 7.6%
Score: 3.80
Ratings: 90
65 / 100
#36. Dark Horse 4 Elf
Brewery: Dark Horse Brewing Company
ABV: 8.8%
Score: 3.80
Ratings: 845
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66 / 100
#35. Avalanche
Brewery: Snoqualmie Falls Brewing Company & Taproom
ABV: 6.8%
Score: 3.81
Ratings: 51
67 / 100
#34. Sweetwater Festive Ale
Brewery: SweetWater Brewing Company
ABV: 7.7%
Score: 3.82
Ratings: 816
68 / 100
#33. Full Sail Wassail
Brewery: Full Sail Brewing Company
ABV: 7.2%
Score: 3.82
Ratings: 876
69 / 100
#32. Winter Warmer
Brewery: Garrison Brewing Company
ABV: 6.8%
Score: 3.83
Ratings: 63
70 / 100
#31. Winter Ale
Brewery: Fremont Brewing Company
ABV: 8.0%
Score: 3.84
Ratings: 204
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71 / 100
#30. Cabin Fever Ale
Brewery: Berkshire Brewing Company Inc.
ABV: 6.3%
Score: 3.84
Ratings: 337
72 / 100
#29. Ale Mary
Brewery: RCH Brewery
ABV: 6.0%
Score: 3.86
Ratings: 78
73 / 100
#28. Frosted Frog Christmas Ale - Barrel-Aged
Brewery: Hoppin' Frog Brewery
ABV: 8.6%
Score: 3.86
Ratings: 159
74 / 100
#27. Stir Crazy
Brewery: Indeed Brewing Company
ABV: 6.5%
Score: 3.86
Ratings: 225
75 / 100
#26. Winter Solstice Seasonal Ale
Brewery: Anderson Valley Brewing Company
ABV: 6.9%
Score: 3.87
Ratings: 1,847
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76 / 100
#25. Bestefar
Brewery: HaandBryggeriet
ABV: 9.0%
Score: 3.88
Ratings: 145
77 / 100
#24. Vinter Varmer
Brewery: Laurelwood Public House & Brewery
ABV: 6.4%
Score: 3.89
Ratings: 85
78 / 100
#23. Fuller's Old Winter Ale
Brewery: Fuller Smith & Turner PLC
ABV: 5.3%
Score: 3.89
Ratings: 106
79 / 100
#22. Winter Ale
Brewery: pFriem Family Brewers
ABV: 7.5%
Score: 3.90
Ratings: 51
80 / 100
#21. First Frost
Brewery: Fullsteam Brewery
ABV: 8.8%
Score: 3.90
Ratings: 83
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81 / 100
#20. St. Peter's Winter Ale
Brewery: St. Peter's Brewery Co Ltd
ABV: 6.5%
Score: 3.90
Ratings: 264
82 / 100
#19. Double Diamond Winter Ale
Brewery: Dick's Brewing Company
ABV: 7.5%
Score: 3.91
Ratings: 77
83 / 100
#18. Odell Isolation Ale
Brewery: Odell Brewing Company
ABV: 6.0%
Score: 3.92
Ratings: 816
84 / 100
#17. Special Holiday Ale - Nøgne Ø / Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales / Stone Brewing Co.
Brewery: Nøgne Ø - Det Kompromissløse Bryggeri A/S
ABV: 8.5%
Score: 3.93
Ratings: 260
85 / 100
#16. Jubelale
Brewery: Deschutes Brewery
ABV: 6.7%
Score: 3.93
Ratings: 2,843
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86 / 100
#15. Iron Duke
Brewery: Wellington County Brewery
ABV: 6.5%
Score: 3.94
Ratings: 89
87 / 100
#14. Brewer's Art St. Festivus Holiday Ale
Brewery: The Brewer's Art
ABV: 8.0%
Score: 3.95
Ratings: 74
88 / 100
#13. Rum Barrel Aged 4 Elf
Brewery: Dark Horse Brewing Company
ABV: 8.8%
Score: 3.95
Ratings: 100
89 / 100
#12. Christmas Ale
Brewery: Great Lakes Brewing Co.
ABV: 7.5%
Score: 3.95
Ratings: 3,163
90 / 100
#11. 12 Dogs Of Christmas Ale
Brewery: Thirsty Dog Brewing Company
ABV: 8.3%
Score: 3.96
Ratings: 768
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91 / 100
#10. Cabin Fever Winter Ale
Brewery: Boundary Bay Brewery & Bistro
ABV: 8.5%
Score: 3.97
Ratings: 82
92 / 100
#9. Snow Melt Winter Ale
Brewery: East End Brewing Company
ABV: 7.0%
Score: 3.99
Ratings: 147
93 / 100
#8. Highland Cold Mountain Winter Ale
Brewery: Highland Brewing
ABV: 5.8%
Score: 4.01
Ratings: 806
94 / 100
#7. Lead Dog Olde English Ale
Brewery: Yukon Brewing Company
ABV: 7.0%
Score: 4.02
Ratings: 69
95 / 100
#6. Decoy
Brewery: Carton Brewing Company
ABV: 12.0%
Score: 4.02
Ratings: 115
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96 / 100
#5. God Jul
Brewery: Nøgne Ø - Det Kompromissløse Bryggeri A/S
ABV: 8.5%
Score: 4.08
Ratings: 334
97 / 100
#4. Bourbon Barrel Aged Winter Warmer
Brewery: Rahr & Sons Brewing Company
ABV: 8.5%
Score: 4.08
Ratings: 423
98 / 100
#3. Barrel Aged 12 Dogs Of Christmas
Brewery: Thirsty Dog Brewing Company
ABV: 10.0%
Score: 4.12
Ratings: 111
99 / 100
#2. Wintervention
Brewery: Peticolas Brewing Company
ABV: 10.0%
Score: 4.20
Ratings: 61
100 / 100
#1. Coffee Cinnamon B-Bomb
Brewery: Fremont Brewing Company
ABV: 13.0%
Score: 4.57
Ratings: 943
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