9 IPAs to Drink in Winter—Bitter Beers for Bitter Cold

When blizzards blanket the country, beer becomes a bone-warming necessity. During icicle season, drinkers typically look to a strapping stout or a beefy barley wine—potent beers with alcohol percentages that often trump the thermometer reading (well, Celsius anyway).

While these styles remain popular defrosters, they’re not the only worthy winter warmers. In recent years, craft brewers have used December, January, and February as a launching pad for releasing their dankest, bitterest brews. From the honey-fueled Bell’s Hopslam to Tröegs’ floral Nugget Nectar and Green Flash Palate Wrecker, these strong and warming imperial IPAs are a cold comfort to craft fans.

Why do such bitter beers work in winter? The answer lies in a happy, hoppy coincidence. The majority of the world’s hops are harvested in late summer, starting at the tail end of August and stretching into September. After harvesting, most hops are kilned and pelletized, a process that can last until the cold-weather months.

“Brewing a beer when the hops are at their freshest, for the brightest possible hop character, happens to land at the beginning of winter,” explains Green Flash brewmaster Chuck Silva.

Beyond simple agricultural availability—and the warming alcoholic hit—there’s another explanation for the growing numbers of strong and hoppy winter beers. One of the pleasures of drinking a barley wine or an imperial stout is their layered flavors, which unfurl with each successive sip. Bitter beers can be multifaceted, too.

“You can sink into and explore big, diverse hop flavor like you would the malt complexity of a winter warmer,” says Ryan Arnold, communications director for Sierra Nevada, which distributes the hop-forward Celebration and Ruthless Rye during the winter. “Both are capable of helping shake off winter’s chill.”

And while Silva believes that a bitter beer is a brilliant choice in Arctic conditions, it’s just the proverbial tip of the iceberg when it comes to winter-friendly brews. “Any bold-flavored beer, whether it be hoppy, malty, or even spicy, is a great choice when it’s cold out,” says the Green Flash brewmaster. “Your senses need an awakening jolt.”