The colder temperatures may be brutal as the sun shows its face less and less, but winter does bring with it its fair share of perks. There's nothing quite like curling up next to a fireplace, drinking homemade hot chocolate, or engaging in snowball warfare. As nasty as winter gets, I never would have wanted to be a kid who grew up without it. And now that I'm an adult, all sorts of new wintry treats are available to me: namely, my favorite kinds of beer.

 

Summer beers--those pale ales and lagers that go best with a sunny afternoon--are nice and all, but they're nothing in comparison to those rich, dark brews that are best drunk while watching the snow fall from inside. I'll take a deep, heavy, malty ale over a blond bottle any day, and lucky for me, it's currently the season when they taste the best. Here are a few of my favorite winter beers. Be sure to try them out before the chilly season leaves us.

 

 

Brewed with real milk sugar and chocolate malt, this rich and creamy stout is sort of like hot cocoa for beer drinkers. It's not especially alcoholic, but it will fill you right up like a big glass of whole milk. Try it alongside your favorite seasonal desserts.

 

 

There's a reason this brew is named for the master of macabre--it's dark, mysterious, and surprisingly satisfying. Just like Poe's raven, the Poet will pleasantly haunt you long after you've finished it.

 

 

The Russians used stouts like these to keep themselves from freezing to death every winter. As you might guess, it's powerful stuff--quite the wallop at 10.5% ABV. But it's not just a blunt instrument; brewed with ten varieties of malted barley, it holds a complex and subtle flavor within.

 

 

If the dark and heavy stuff isn't quite your thing, Bell's has got you covered with a colder weather beer that's a bit lighter in taste. A neat, airy tingler, this white ale skips the spices and draws its elegant flavor from locally grown hops and barley.

 

 

Landing right in the middle of the winter beer spectrum, this English ale goes down just right with a sweet, nutty base that's not too heavy or too light. Subtle spices play off its sweet malt base as it gently houses you from the bitter cold outside.