Top Seasonal Beer Releases For Winter

Top 10 Seasonal Winter Beer Releases in the U.S. — Large, Medium & Small Breweries (Winter 2025–26)

Winter is prime time for festive brews — from warming spiced ales and rich stouts to bold holiday creations that pair perfectly with chilly evenings and holiday gatherings. Here are 10 standout seasonal beers this winter, spanning major brands and craft favorites alike.

1) Large U.S. Breweries — Widely Distributed Seasonal Styles

These beers are from breweries with national or multi-region distribution — easier for readers anywhere in the U.S. to find.

1. Samuel Adams Winter White Ale – A new winter seasonal from the iconic Boston Beer Company, featuring holiday spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, orange peel, and clove for a festive winter sip. Allrecipes+1

2. Samuel Adams Winter Lager – A classic winter seasonal lager with a bold malt backbone and winter spice notes, available in many markets. Homebrew Academy

3. Sierra Nevada Celebration Fresh Hop IPA – A piney, citrusy fresh-hop IPA that’s a beloved winter hop-forward seasonal staple. Homebrew Academy

4. Blue Moon Winter Ale – Molson Coors’ winter-edition ale with caramel and mild spice notes (regional but broadly distributed). Wikipedia

5. Harpoon Winter Warmer – A classic New England holiday ale with cinnamon and nutmeg warmth. Beverage Guide

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2) Medium-Sized Craft Breweries — Renowned Seasonal Releases

These breweries are well-known craft producers with strong regional or national appeal, often hunted down by seasonal beer fans.

1. Deschutes Jubelale – A rich, malty winter ale with caramel, roasted barley, pine, and spice character, a classic in craft seasonal lineups. GoneTrending

2. Tröegs Mad Elf Ale – A bold Belgian-style strong ale brewed with cherries and honey for festive flavor and warming strength. GoneTrending

3. Great Lakes Christmas Ale – A winter warmer with honey, cinnamon, and ginger notes that’s beloved in the Midwest and beyond. Homebrew Academy

4. Weyerbacher Winter Ale – A toasted, rich malt-forward winter seasonal with a balanced profile (often regional but highly rated). Mandatory

5. Great Divide Hibernation Ale – A deeply malty, award-winning winter ale known for rich character and warming profile. Mandatory

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3) Small & Local Brewery Seasonals — Local Gems Worth Seeking Out

These are smaller breweries or more locally focused releases that capture creativity and regional flair. Availability can be limited to taprooms or nearby retailers.

1. Kinkaider Snow Beast (Winter Ale) – A small Nebraska brewery’s winter ale with seasonal spice and robust malt notes. Wikipedia

2. Fish Brewing Winterfish Seasonal Ale – A deep orange winter beer with honey malt and Chinook hops — a local favorite when available. The Beer Connoisseur®

3. 21st Amendment Brewery Fireside Chat – A rich dark ale with cinnamon and brown sugar characteristics (seasonal released in cold months). The Beer Connoisseur®

4. Avery Brewing Sweater Party – A spiced winter warmer with orange peel and mulling spices, showcasing craft seasonal creativity. The Beer Connoisseur®

5. Victory Brewing Winter Cheers – A fruity, spice-hinted wheat ale seasonal that brings bright winter vibes. Mandatory

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🍻 Seasonal Styles to Explore

Winter seasonals run a broad range of styles: from winter warmers and spiced ales to hoppy winter IPAs and rich porters/stouts. Malt-forward and spice-accented beers are classics, but innovative winter IPAs and barrel-aged dark beers are increasingly seasonal standouts. nbwa.org

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🍻 Top Winter Seasonal Beers from North Carolina Breweries (2025–26)

1) Highland Brewing Co. — Cold Mountain Winter Ale

A beloved seasonal classic from Asheville’s oldest brewery, Cold Mountain Winter Ale returns each winter with a rich malt profile and warming spice blend. It’s so popular that fans line up for release weekend every year. All About Beer+1

2) Natty Greene’s Brewing Co. — Red Nose Winter Warmer Ale

From Greensboro’s Natty Greene’s comes Red Nose, a full-bodied winter warmer infused with festive spices like cinnamon, ginger and orange peel — perfect for holiday gatherings. craftbeer.com+1

3) Aviator Brewing Co. — FrostNipper Winter Warmer

A classic seasonal warmer from Aviator, FrostNipper brings traditional holiday spice and a solid ABV (~7.2%) to help take the edge off chilly nights. WRAL News

4) NoDa Brewing Co. — Hoppy Holidays IPA

Loaded with a wide variety of hops and complimented with citrus notes and a brisk piney aroma, it’s the perfect beer for the most wonderful time of year. https://www.nodabrewing.com/event-details/hoppy-holidays-ipa-release-1-2

5) Gizmo Brewing — Peppermint Stout

A minty nose spills into each sip, perfectly blending with the chocolate notes and full body of Gizmo's flagship stout. https://gizmobrewworks.com/portfolio-item/peppermint-stiletto/

6) Carolina Brewery — Santa’s Secret Winter Warmer

This festive seasonal from Carolina Brewery features six different malts working together for a rich, creamy, holiday-ready beer. WRAL News

7) Olde Mecklenburg Brewery — Yule Bock

This holiday delight is an authentic “Weihnachtsbock” (Christmas Bock), which is not only a real German word, but is also a really fantastic traditional German holiday beer style. Premium European barley malts and noble hops give this bock lager its rich amber color and smooth malty character. A perfect beer for when the weather turns cold and spirits turn warm. https://new.oldemeckbrew.com/beer/yulebock

8) Fullsteam Brewery — First Frost (Winter Persimmon Ale)

A standout seasonal featuring local persimmon with sweet and savory notes — one of North Carolina’s uniquely local winter brews. WRAL News

9) LoneRider Brewing Co. — Belle Starr Belgian Dubbel

A Belgian-style ale brewed with holiday spices and caramelized beet sugar — a flavorful and festive winter choice. WRAL News

10) Hi-Wire Brewing Co. - Elated Winter IPA

A balanced and hoppy ale perfect for snuggling up in front of the fire or getting outside on a snowy day. https://bestbeerblog.net/2024/12/05/hi-wire-brewing-company-elated-winter-ipa/

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🍻 Top Seasonal Winter Beers from Arizona Breweries (2025–26)

1. SanTan Brewing Co. – Winter Warmer

A beloved Arizona seasonal classic, this Winter Warmer is brewed with a rich malt profile plus ginger and mesquite honey for warmth and holiday spice. It’s traditionally served with gingersnap cookies at the brewery and is available in 32-oz to-go cans in some years. Phoenix New Times+1

Why it’s worth trying: Local favorite with warming spice notes — perfect for chilly desert nights.

2. 8-Bit Aleworks – Witcher Warmer

This winter warmer from 8-Bit Aleworks features dark chocolate, roasted hazelnut, and vanilla notes, delivering a sweet and rich profile that’s ideal for the winter season. Phoenix New Times

Why it’s worth trying: A creative seasonal beer with dessert-like complexity.

3. Goldwater Brewing Co. × Dark Sky Brewing – Flannel Buddies Imperial Stout

A big, bold imperial stout collaboration full of intense flavors — including cacao, coffee, cinnamon, and maple syrup — that pairs beautifully with winter weather. Phoenix New Times

Why it’s worth trying: Deep, barrel-like richness and high ABV make it great for slow sipping.

4. PHX Beer Co. (Sonoran Brewing) – Candy Cane White Chocolate Ale

This seasonal twist on a wheat beer brings peppermint and white chocolate notes for holiday cheer. Phoenix New Times

Why it’s worth trying: Light-hearted and festive — great for fans of sweeter, themed beers.

5. Walter Station Brewery – Cranberry Smash Winter West Coast IPA

A tart and refreshing seasonal West Coast IPA brewed with cranberries for color and bright acidity — a lighter, fruity contrast to richer winter beers. Phoenix New Times

Why it’s worth trying: A crisp and festive IPA option amid heavier winter ales.

6. Roses by the Stairs Brewing – A Dry Heat Holiday (Holiday Brown Ale)

Inspired by cozy winter drinks, this seasonal holiday brown ale is crafted with chocolate, vanilla, and marshmallow, evoking warm desserts in a glass. Phoenix New Times

Why it’s worth trying: Fun, dessert-inspired seasonal brew with a local twist.

7. Oro Brewing Co. – Pom-a-cran-it! (Seasonal Fruited Sour)

Oro’s holiday take on its rotating sour series incorporates pomegranate and cranberry for a tart, festive pour that’s both eye-catching and refreshing. Phoenix New Times

Why it’s worth trying: A fruit-forward sour that breaks from the typical winter beer styles.

8. Phoenix Brewing Co. – Snowglobe Spiced Blond Ale

Seasonal spiced blond ale that typically releases around the holidays with honey, citrus, apple, and spices for a bright but cozy winter flavor profile. The Phoenix Brewing Co.

Why it’s worth trying: A lighter, spiced beer for those who prefer something less heavy.

9. Huss Brewing Co. – Imperial Chocolate Cherry Porter

Rich, decadent and unapologetically bold. Aged to perfection in Bulleit bourbon barrels, This classic porter melds layers of dark chocoalte, ripe cherries and a roasted malt with warm undertones of vanilla and a hint of toasted oak.

Why it’s worth trying: Tastes like a rich and sweet chocolate covered cherry soaked in booze.

10. AZ Wilderness Brewing Co. – Peanut Brittle Red Ale

Inspired by Momma Ware's famous holiday peanut brittle, this seasonal ale is made with milk sugar, vanilla, and 100 pounds of roasted peanuts.

Why it’s worth trying: Unique take on peanut brittle and a red ale working together in a surprisingly tasty way.