Top 10 Winter Beers

Eggnog and corn liquor aren't the only things you can drink this holiday season. Nearly every brewery in the world makes winter seasonal beers that are designed to keep you warm during those long nights. Richer, maltier and higher-gravity (read: more alcoholic) beers typically characterize the winter selections, and most have the delicious flavors of yuletide (spice, sweet fruit cake, candied sugar, etc.) to bring in the season.

Other beer styles, like stouts and barley wines, get consumed more during the holidays because they're easier to drink when it's blistering cold. But how do you avoid drinking a winter seasonal made for the naughty-listers?

Here are 10 to try:

Scaldis Noel — Tastes like sweet, candied sugar with a nutty finish. It's 13% alcohol-by-volume, but it's still very drinkable after dinner. This is what Santa drinks when he's checking his list for the second time.

Anderson Valley Winter Solstice — A lighter, more drinkable beer that everyone can enjoy. Tastes like caramel, spice and fruit. This beer is sweet, but not overpoweringly so, and is smooth enough to have a few in a row.

Schafly Christmas Ale — An amber ale brewed with orange peel and cloves. Has a full-bodied, festive taste and smell that left me wanting more. It's like a winter scarf for your stomach.

Troegs Mad Elf Ale — Very sweet ale brewed with honey and cherries. This is almost like a barley wine at 11% alcohol-by-volume, so it might be too strong for some people. You should sip on this beer, so it would go well with a Holiday cigar.

Bell's Christmas Ale — This ale doesn't have that all-spice, nutmeg flavor that characterizes most winter beers, and that's exactly why I like it. Citrusy and drinkable enough to have a few while fiddling with the dang Christmas tree lights. A good choice if you're hosting a holiday party as well.

Samuel Smith's Winter Welcome Ale — A fantastic golden-spiced ale that's deliciously malty and rich, while still remaining crisp. This tastes like honey and apple, and it's light enough that anyone could enjoy it. A winter classic!

Delirium Noel — This strong ale is fantastic for a holiday dessert. In fact, the Delirium Noel is a dessert in itself. At 10% alcohol-by-volume it's very rich, almost syrupy, and it tastes of cloves, cherries, and dark fruits. A perfect beer to drink while watching "A Christmas Story" for the 437th time.

Williamsburg Alewerks Cafe Royale — I raved about their Pumpkin Ale in autumn, and their imperial stout is even better for the winter! This beer was aged in Virginia Gentlemen Reserve Bourbon barrels so it matches the roasted coffee bean flavor with flavors of vanilla and bourbon oak. A local masterpiece.

Avery Brewing Old Jubilation Ale — This is a winter strong ale that tastes like a gingerbread cookie or Yule log. Rich mocha flavors are balanced with some bitterness, which is a nice change of pace for winter seasonals. This one gets better the more you drink it.

Samuel Adams Winter Classics Variety Pack — I include this pack because it's perfect for family gatherings. I usually see this winter variety pack at every holiday party I attend, and I think that's because it allows people to try a few different beers while conveniently only having to buy one product.

My advice is to save the Chocolate Bock, Holiday Porter and Old Fezziwig Ale for yourself and leave the others for your cousins who will drink anything anyway.

There are a few Winter beers that I haven't tried yet that I still want to mention for your Winter beer stocking: St. Bernadus Christmas Ale, The Bruery Three French Hens (the third in their series of beers for the 12 days of Christmas) and Schmaltz Brewing Company's Jewbilation Ales for those of you left out by all of these Christmas themed beers. There are a bazillion more winter ales that are festive and fantastic, but these are my favorite so far. What are yours? Cheers!

Corbin Craft is a freelance writer and newcomer to Richmond. He loves holiday cheer and holiday beer in equal measure. Happy holidays, everyone!