Yea, me neither. I did have some good German beer the other night, and it was pretty cold out. What qualifies a beer as "cold-weather?"

Bass Ale in the new pub draft can FTW!!!

A number of companies put out a winter seasonal beer, some spiced like Pete's Winterbrew, others just heftier versions of their usual offerings. A few American examples are: Pyramid Snowcap, Boulevard Nutcracker (a local favorite where I live), Goose Island Christmas Ale, Anchor Our Special Ale, Saxer Three Finger Jack Frost, Bell's Winter White Ale, Otter Creek Alpine Ale, and Saint Arnold Christmas Ale. The Brits also have a long tradition of making winter seasonals, like Young's Winter Warmer and Sam Smith's Winter Welcome. Unibroue (from Canada) even puts out Quelque Chose, a strong cherry ale meant to be heated before drinking.

I made up a new recipe beer this year, Cherry Dubbel, which I intend to put on tap next week.

You might even check out what's being offered by the big breweries--it's not that they're incapable of making decent beer, it's that they don't because it's not as profitable. In past years, Coors has put out a pretty fair Winter Beer, which is nothing like their usual water-in-a-can. They used to change the recipe every year, and it was hit-or-miss as to how good it was. I haven't tried it in several years, though.

I didn't know there was such a thing as a "Winter Beer". I like to keep some Guiness Stout at the Hotel fridge. Though lately since I get free Bud Lite at the new hotel, I kind of quit buying beer. Unless I can expense it when I go out to eat.

I'm not a big fan of most seasonals - it seems like brewer-talk for "I'm going to try something really weird, see if it catches on!"

But what I do like in the winter is standard porters, as well as darker Belgians (I'm looking at you, Duchesse du Bourgogne!).

And let's not forget mead, mulled wine, and honey liquors (e.g. Krupnik). Nothing quite like a strong, sweet shot to warm you right up!

Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale is pretty tasty. Corsendonk Christmas Ale is yummy but a bit harder to find. Delirium Noel is good but a bit sweet and will knock you on your ass.

So we're comparing Dejanzie to beer?

I'll get me coat...

I've not had the Leffe dark, but DrunkenSleipnir will attest to the fact that I'm very fond of Abbaye de Leffe blonde.

You're right about the beer in Belgium, too. Hands-down, no doubt about it, the absolute best beers in the world are Belgian. Oh, to live in a place where something like Leffe is considered mainstream!

Have you had Guldenberg, by De Renke brewery? That's one of my very favorites. That and Delirium Tremens. Man, I need a drink!

Reading this thread reminds me of how I'd like to like beer. Sadly I don't really like the taste of any alcholol. COuple that with the price and side-effects and you end up with a teetotal gamer.

This thread is making me . I've said it before, but I'll say it again: all of the world's problems could be solved by giving me Belgian beer.

Since Spynavy's only looking for a good cold weather beer, rather than specifically seasonal beers, I recommend stouts and porters; I know you said you don't want really heavy beers, but there's just something about a dark, "chewy" (for lack of a better word) stout when it's ten below outside, a blizzard is raging, and you're bundled inside with a blanket. For cold weather, my favorite are the chocolate stouts, Rogue and Young's being the best I can think of, but Sam Smith's Oatmeal Stout is a good all-purpose brew that will always make your winter a little happier.

I also second the suggestions for Anchor and Otter Creek beers. I've never had a bad beer from these breweries.

I seem to only be able to stand the taste of cheap beer. I have tried sam adams and all those other fancy beers, but I just don't really find them tasty. It's not that I find cheap beer all that much better tasting, it just gets the job done easier. If they could come up with a Coca Cola product that would get me drunk with no alcoholic taste I would stop drinking beer altogether. I can stand the price and the side-effects the morning after.

Here ya go -Zima!. Alcholized Fresca (and best of all teenage girls love this stuff!)

I hate the fruity flavored beers. Yucky poo! I love a good IPA and darker beers. I need a beer to have some flavor. I can barely stand to drink domestic beer. When I was in England, there was a local brewer that made a great bitter. There is nothing like fresh beer. Well, I take that back, I went to the Coors brewery in Golden, Colorado and had their fresh beer. Still tastes like water.

Oh, and Ultra beer, that low-carb crap. Who ever thought of that should be killed. Nasty stuff.

Flat Tire is the best beer I've ever had. If it was only sold in the east/midwest, I'd be a happy camper.

I love the Christmas beer's. Something I didn't know exsisted till I lived in Denmark for a few years (too bad they don't export them to the US).

As for American Winter Beers (too PC to call them Christmas beers) Brooklyn Brewery has just come out with one that is very tastee. I didn't really like the Sierra Nevada one, and the Sam Adam's is better than there normal beers but not great. Lots of the other local breweries seem to be making them these days but haven't had the time to really try them out.

As for Belgium Beers try to get ahold of a Westvleteren, doesn't matter if its the Abt 12 or the Extra 8, both are very very good. Nice heavy rich full taste.