As winter settles in and the holiday season approaches, craft breweries across British Columbia are unwrapping creative and festive beer offerings.
These seasonal brews are more than just beverages—they’re an invitation to gather with friends and loved ones, capturing the warmth, comfort, and jubilant spirit of the season. Winter beers have a special magic about them. Often darker and more robust, these carefully crafted ales and stouts are perfectly designed for the colder months. But it’s not just about the comforting warmth of a dark beer: among this year’s new releases and return favourites, you’ll find a balance of lighter styles, many incorporating seasonal fruits and spices in new and enticing ways.
Whether you’re looking for the perfect companion to a cozy evening by the fire, a standout beverage to bring to a holiday gathering, or a thoughtful gift for the craft beer enthusiast in your life, this year’s winter beer lineup offers something to delight every palate. We asked the breweries on the BC Ale Trail to share what they’ve been brewing up and have over 50 beers to spotlight this year, showcasing the incredible creativity and craftsmanship of our local breweries.
Jump to a region near you:
Vancouver Coast and Mountains (including Sea to Sky and Fraser Valley)
Kootenay Rockies
Neve Fresca Italian Pilsner (5.2% ABV | 20 IBU) by Backroads Brewing
Translated as Fresh Snow, this light, effervescent Italian-style pilsner is brewed each winter to celebrate the coming season and is perfect when enjoyed after a day playing in the mountains.
Backroads Brewing is located in Osoyoos, and in Nelson on the Kootenay Rockies West Ale Trail
Yuleride Nordic Pale Ale (5% ABV) by Encore Brewing Company
Fermented with Voss Kveik, a Norwegian farmhouse yeast that likes it hot. With big juniper additions, and a Citra & Hallertau Blanc dryhop, it drinks like a gin mimosa with huge notes of zesty orange and gooseberry, along with a subtle pine and gin aromatic.
Encore Brewing is located in Cranbrook on the Kootenay Rockies East Ale Trail
Powder Leopard White IPA (6.3% ABV) by Nelson Brewing Company
Love story: Untamed and unfiltered, this White IPA is a perfect ode to powder days. Brewed with Cryo, Cashmere, and Mosaic hops, it bursts with vibrant berry and citrus notes, balanced by a smooth, fluffy finish. Wild, refreshing, and always worth another round!
Brewers Notes: A white IPA is a beautiful thing. It pairs the esters and phenols from a Belgium Witbier yeast with modern North American hops. Belgian yeast flavours of bubble gum, banana, clove, and anise blend with notes of berry, citrus, and melon from the hops. Another subtle layer of citrus is present from the addition of sweet orange peel in the boil.
Nelson Brewing Company is located in Nelson, on the Kootenay Rockies West Ale Trail
Thompson Okanagan
Three seasonal offerings from Cannery Brewing
Kindling Imperial Stout (9% ABV | 60 IBU)
The 2024 batch of Kindling Imperial Stout is here! This annual limited-release seasonal beer was brewed with coffee from Backyard Beans Coffee Roasters, chocolate, oats, coconut and lactose. Kindling took home the Gold Medal in the 2022 Canadian Brewing Awards, and we are thrilled that it is back, just in time for the festive holiday season.
Whiskey Barrel Aged Kindling Imperial Stout (10% ABV | 60 IBU)
Around this time last year, the folks at Cannery pulled out some of their 2023 batch of Kindling Imperial Stout and laid it to rest in some fabulous whisky barrels. The 2024 Whisky Barrel Aged Kindling is a classically styled imperial stout aged in Laird of Fintry Whisky barrels from Okanagan Spirits. It was brewed with barley, wheat, oats, coconut, lactose, cacao and cinnamon. Flavours of roasted malt, chocolate and caramel complement the oaked whisky, all set atop perfect full-bodied sweetness.
Thornless Blackberry Porter (6% ABV | 40 IBU)
Just in time for the festive holiday season, the Thornless Blackberry Porter is back. Blackberry flavour and roasted dark malts combine to create a balanced sweetness in this robust porter. This beer took 1st place in the Fruit Beer category of the 2022 BC Beer Awards.
Cannery Brewing is located in Penticton, on the Penticton Ale Trail
Fireside Winter Ale (6% ABV) by Lakesider Brewing Co.
Embrace the cozy charm of winter with Lakesider’s Fireside Winter Ale, the perfect companion for chilly evenings by the fire. This rich, full-bodied brew features notes of dark cherry, dried fruit, and a hint of brown sugar that dances on your palate. Crafted with the finest ingredients, this limited-release winter ale delivers a smooth finish that invites you to savour each sip.
Lakesider Brewing Co is located in Kelowna, on the Kelowna and West Kelowna Ale Trail
A pair of seasonal beers from Noble Pig Brewhouse
Chocomint Peppermint-infused Mocha Porter (5.5% ABV | 22 IBU)
This seasonal offering is a refreshing “winterization” of the Stone House – Mocha Porter. Noticeable amounts of peppermint were infused into Noble Pig’s flagship Porter to hit your mouth with a good dose of holiday nostalgia.
Mulled Swine Belgian Pepper Ale (5% ABV | 20 IBU)
The Stick House – Belgian Pepper Ale is a crowd favourite all year round, but the folks at the Noble Pig thought they’d have some fun by infusing some holiday spirit into it. Using a similar mix of spices traditionally found in Mulled Wine, this festive bevy is ready to make your heart grow three sizes a day!
Noble Pig Brewhouse is located in Kamloops, on the Southern Interior Winter Ale Trail
Northern BC
Two new releases from CrossRoads Brewing and Distillery
Salted Caramel Amber Ale (6% ABV) – a collaboration with Rocky Mountain Chocolate
Brewed in collaboration with friends at Rocky Mountain Chocolate, whose chocolatiers cheerily supplied the caramel used to create this brew. The sweet and nutty malt base of the amber ale gives way to the decadent notes of locally created caramel, topped with hints of salt for the well-known and always delightful dessert pairing.
Sexy Beast Chocolate Raspberry Porter (5.5% ABV)
With rich chocolatey notes and a hint of raspberry sweetness, this one’s designed to be savoured—perfect for cozy nights and fall gatherings.
CrossRoads Brewing is located in Prince George, on the Northwest BC Ale Trail
Cascadian Dark Ale (6.5% ABV | 50 IBU) from Deadfall Brewing
The CDA, also known as Black IPA, is a beautiful balance of rich roasty malts and dank, piney, citrusy hops. Chocolatey. Hoppy. Smooth.
Deadfall Brewing is located in Prince George, on the Northwest BC Ale Trail
Smokehouse Porter (6/3% ABV) from Wheelhouse Brewing Company
Smokehouses have been used on the Coast for hundreds of years. Wheelhouse has been brewing their Smokehouse Porter for over 10 years now and this beer is a 2X award winner at the Canadian Brewing Awards. A robust, well-rounded porter that goes well with a hearty meal, a roaring fire and a good book during a winter storm.
Wheelhouse Brewing is located in Prince Rupert, on the Northwest BC Ale Trail
Vancouver Coast and Mountains
Three seasonal releases from Barnside Brewing Co.
Five for Fighting Hazy Pale Ale (4.5% ABV) – a collaboration with SportsNet 650
SportsNet 650 and Barnside Brewing Co. have dropped the gloves on a new pale ale that’s perfect for the hockey season! Five for Fighting is a hazy pale ale that’s soft on the palate and loaded with citrus flavour. Brewed with Canadian pale malt & Barnside’s own Cascade hops, this beer is a great alternative to the classic game day lager or pilsner.
Czech Dark Lager (5% ABV)
In Czechia it’s called Tmavé Pivo, an uncommon dark lager. Barnside’s version is decoction mashed with 50% premium malts from Czechia, 50% Barnside Munich malt, and is hopped assertively with their own Sterling hops. Beautiful in the mug, rich on the palate, and so easy to drink.
Port Guichon Oat Porter (5.6% ABV)
Barnside’s take on the classic English Porter. Brewed with traditional brown and crystal malts, this porter is sweet and caramelly, yet light and effervescent. Hopped with Barnside’s own Cascade Hops.
Barnside Brewing is located in Delta, on the South of the Fraser Ale Trail
Two new brews from Beva Brewing & Blending
Space Bar Dark Lager (4.5% ABV)
Dark, toasty, void
Full of Evil Feelings Double Chocolate Stout (9.3% ABV) – a collaboration with Beere Brewing
Chocolate, burly, rich
Beva Brewing & Blending is located in North Vancouver, on Vancouver’s North Shore Ale Trail
Tripel Sanctity Belgian Ale (9.2% ABV | 26 IBU) from Central City Brewers & Distillers
The word ‘Tripel’ was used by Belgian monks to describe their strongest beer. This beer is big and malty, has a fruity nose, and finishes dry and clean on the palate. Aged for 3 months from Central City’s pilot system.
Central City Brewers & Distillers is located in Surrey, on the South of the Fraser Ale Trail
Two seasonal releases from Dead Frog Brewery
Nutty Uncle Peanut Butter Stout (6.1% ABV | 24 IBU)
A creamy milk stout with flavours of dark chocolate, smooth hints of peanut butter, and a slightly sweet finish. Brewed with 8 choice malts, roasted cocoa beans, and real peanut butter.
Chocolate Mint Winter Beeracle (7.5% ABV | 24 IBU)
Every winter brings with it a new beeracle. A celebration of all the good things winter brings. Complex beers, warm fires, close family, and good friends. This year’s beeracle is a warm winter ale with rich chocolate malts, cocoa nibs, and a burst of mint.
Dead Frog Brewery is located in Langley, on the Langley Ale Trail
Three new stouts from Field House Brewing
Cookie Dough Imperial Dessert Stout (10.5% ABV)
This nostalgic stout carries rich notes of dark chocolate, complemented by the familiar sweetness of vanilla and brown sugar. A decadent sipper and perfect for hitting your next sweet-tooth craving.
Nanaimo Bar Imperial Dessert Stout (10.5% ABV)
This imperial dessert stout is a take on a British Columbian classic: the Nanaimo bar. Similar to the delicious squares, this beer has big notes of coconut, custard, and a sweet chocolate finish.
Toasted Coconut Imperial Stout (11% ABV) – a collaboration with The Barley Merchant
This imperial stout is the ultimate treat for coconut lovers. To bring out a natural sweetness and depth of flavour in the beer, the brewers added a mountain of toasted coconut, creating a luscious, dessert-like experience in every sip. The thick, velvety mouthfeel and chocolate undertones make this the perfect nightcap beer.
Field House Brewing is located in Abbotsford and Chilliwack, both on the Fraser Valley Ale Trail
Two seasonal releases from Four Winds Brewing Co.
Christmas Lights Light Lager (4% ABV)
This is the same Four Winds Light you know and love, with a festive-themed can that will only be available for a limited time! Crisp, clean, and easy drinking. Four Winds Light is brewed with Canadian Pilsner malt and plenty of rice for an ultra-light body and a super refreshing finish. Made simply, because, sometimes it’s best to keep things light.
Boreas 2024 Bourbon Barrel-Aged Imperial Stout (11% ABV)
Boreas (2024) was aged in an eclectic variety of fresh Kentucky bourbon barrels. This 11% indulgence is a blend of 18-month and 6-month-old imperial stouts. Intoxicating aromas of coffee and dark chocolate guide you into the glass, giving way to a sweet, luscious mouthfeel, with just enough bourbon character to round it all out. The days may be getting colder, and the nights are surely getting longer, but you can always turn to Boreas to keep you warm.
Four Winds Brewing Co. is located in Delta, on the South of the Fraser Ale Trail
Puffy Jacket Hazy Pale Ale (5.5% ABV) from Howe Sound Brewing
It’s the time of year again when you reach for your favourite puffy and a soft, hazy pale ale packed with hops.
Howe Sound Brewing is located in Squamish, on the Sea to Sky Ale Trail
You can also find their taphouses in New Westminster and East Vancouver.
Three seasonal releases from Locality Brewing
Cousin Eddie’s Festive IPA (7% ABV) – a collaboration with Barn Owl Brewing
Embrace the festive season with this limited-edition Cranberry Orange Spice IPA — a holiday beer that combines the refreshing citrus of Mandarina hops with warming festive spices. This brew pours a bright orange colour with a frothy, off-white head, releasing a tantalizing aroma of orange and clove, with a hint of cranberry. On the palate, bright citrus notes from the hops mingle seamlessly with juicy cranberry and a juicy orange sweetness, while the spices add a gentle warmth and complexity. The balanced bitterness provides a refreshing contrast to the fruit and spice, with a smooth finish that invites another sip. Perfect for holiday gatherings or cozy nights by the fire, this IPA brings festive cheer with every pour.
Cran-Chantment Brut Ale (8% ABV)
This year, Locality decided to highlight local cranberries and cherries in their winter celebration brut beer. It’s a beautiful pink, bubbly, bright and refreshing holiday celebration beverage to elevate your dinner table. With cranberry juice from the BOG and cherry juice from Farming Karma, Locality is highlighting local farms in this effervescent drink. Perfect to enjoy with friends!
Happy Place Figgy Pudding Belgian Quad (8% ABV)
Figgy Pudding is a rich and spicy beer, perfect for warming the soul on a cold winter day. With notes of allspice, cinnamon and nutmeg, carried on a rich malty backbone of toffee, caramel and brown sugar, this beer captures the holiday spirit in a glass.
Locality Brewing is located in Langley, on the Langley Ale Trail
Two seasonal releases from Mariner Brewing
Winter Ale (6.8% ABV | 21 IBU)
A robust ale with a deep chestnut colour and a hint of vanilla and spice. A perfect winter warmer to complement crisp fall air, damp and dark evenings and the occasional bright and sunny snow day.
Lights at Lafarge Dark Lager (5.6% ABV | 15 IBU)
Lights at Lafarge Dark Lager captures the magic of a winter stroll through Coquitlam’s Lafarge Lake shimmering lights. With notes of dark caramel and hints of rich chocolate, balanced by spicy noble hops and a flinty, dry finish, this lager is a tribute to the season’s warmth and wonder.
Mariner Brewing is located in Coquitlam, on the North of the Fraser Ale Trail
Holiday Mix Pack (all 6% ABV) from Moody Ales & Co
A jolly holiday pack with 4 seasonal sips:
Eggnog Cream Ale: Decadent holiday ale with lactose, vanilla & nutmeg
Gingerbread Ale: Festive amber ale with warm, sweet spice
Christmas Tree IPA: West Coast IPA with spruce tips and juniper berries
Holiday Party Punch Sour: Garnet fruit sour with cranberry, plum, and citrus
Moody Ales & Co is located in Port Moody, on the Port Moody Ale Trail
The Birds Barrel-Aged Maple & Coffee Stout (8.2% ABV | 10 IBU) from The Parkside Brewery
A silky smooth imperial stout aged in single malt whiskey barrels, showcasing notes of dark maple syrup with a kick of freshly-roasted espresso beans from our friends a Caffe Artigiano.
The Parkside Brewery is located in Port Moody, on the Port Moody Ale Trail
Little Red Truck Spruce Tip Ale (5.3% | 30 IBU) from Red Truck Beer Co
Made with hand-picked spruce tips, this pale ale features zesty, peppery flavours with hints of conifer, lemon and a bready aroma.
Red Truck Beer Co. is located in Vancouver, on the Brewery Creek Vancouver Ale Trail
Grayskull Barrel Aged Strong Ale (7.8% ABV) from Rewind Beer Co.
Master your universe with a sword in one hand and the power of rich bourbon-aged Grayskull Strong Ale in the other!
Rewind Beer Co. is located in Port Moody, on the Port Moody Ale Trail
Two new releases from Sidekick Brewing
Adreas – Copenhagen Spiced Lager (5.6% ABV)
Embrace the warmth of comfort with this golden-dark Copenhagen Spiced Lager. Smooth caramel sweetness blends with notes of liquorice, cinnamon, and vanilla, balanced by subtle bitterness. The result is a dry, satisfying brew that invites you to slow down and savour life’s simple pleasures.
Naveen – Dark Cherry and Fig Strong Sour (9% ABV)
Sidekick’s dark cherry and fig sour is as bold as it is celestial. With layers of tart cherries and sweet figs, this 9% ABV brew pulls you in like the gravity of a distant star. Perfect for those seeking something as vast as the night sky.
Sidekick Brewing is located in Chilliwack, on the Fraser Valley Ale Trail
Megalith Barley Wine (11.4% ABV) from Steel & Oak Brewing
This beer won 1st place at last year’s BC Beer Awards in the category of Strong Ale & Lager. Flavours open with fruitcake and cherry candy aromas; each taste brings rich notes of caramel and molasses cookie, with a smooth, full body. A touch of Noble hops provides balance, making it complex but approachable.
Steel & Oak Brewing is located in New Westminster, on the North of the Fraser Ale Trail
Holiday Gift Pack from Storm Brewing
Gift packs include a Storm pint glass, as well as 473ml cans of:
Apple Pie Ale (5% ABV) – A malty amber ale infused with apples and cinnamon.
Eggnog Latte Stout (8% ABV) – An imperial oatmeal stout infused with coffee, vanilla and nutmeg.
Storm Brewing is located in Vancouver, on the Yeast Vancouver Ale Trail
A bevy of seasonal releases from Strange Fellows Brewing
Evermore West Coast IPA (6% ABV)
Bridging the gap between classic West Coast and modern New England styles, this unique IPA features Yakima hop varieties, offering a bright burst of tropical and stone fruit flavours, while subtle hints of West Coast pine and citrus linger in the background.
Krampus Abbey Double (8.5% ABV)
An annual favourite beer for sharing by the fire – a Belgian-style Abbey Double brewed with Belgian candy sugar and dark malts, it’s rich with the flavour of dried stone fruits, subtle toffee and spice, and has a long and warming effect on the constitution.
Lord Barleycorn Bourbon Barrel Lager (6.5% ABV)
A wonderfully warming pre-prohibition-style lager brewed with corn & barley then aged in Bourbon barrels (post-Boris) – it’s round and malty with a balanced bitterness and underlying notes of peat and bourbon.
Boris Russian Imperial Stout (10.3% ABV)
Aged one year in Basil Hayden Bourbon barrels and brewed with roast dark malts and peat-smoked barley, which yields an assertive backbone with suggestions of dark dried fruits and an aromatic scotch-like nose.
Nocturnum Dark IPA (6.5% ABV)
A.K.A. a Cascadian Dark Ale, this unique and intriguing style combines the rich roasted flavours of a stout with the bold hop character of an IPA. Roasted malt sweetness balances a pronounced hop bitterness that results in a beer that is both complex and quaffable.
Beest Triple EYE.P.A. (9% ABV)
Big, bold and packing a punch, this West Coast-style triple IPA has been heavily dry-hopped using Simcoe, Amarillo and Centennial, creating a dank, resinous and fruity aroma. Up front flavours of ripe stone fruit and a bitter finish are rounded out with a sweetness to balance its high alcohol and big hop character. Don’t let the drinkability fool you, this Beest is dangerous!
Coolship Barrel-aged Spontaneous Fermentation (6.2% ABV)
Strange Fellows is rightly proud of this very special beer which recently won “Best in Show” at the 2024 BC Brewing Awards. Brewed using the orthodox methods of traditional Belgian lambic breweries, this beer began with labour-intensive turbid mashing, followed by air cooling and inoculation in their open Koelschip vessel. Whatever wild yeasts and organisms that happened to be around the brewery that night inoculated a spontaneous fermentation in the cooling wort which was then racked into oak barrels to ferment and age. All of this, along with the addition of aged hops (2016 Tardif de Bourgogne, France) result in a beer with a uniquely delicious and complex character.
Vancouver Island
S-92 Imperial Stout (10.5% ABV | 48 IBU) from Hornby Island Brewing
This 2024 Canada Beer Cup Gold medal winner is the second release in Hornby Island’s Sikorsky series. Deliciously dark and complex with notes of espresso. It might have you feeling like you are moving at 280 km/h without leaving the ground.
Hornby Island Brewing is located on Hornby Island, on the Vancouver Island Ale Trail Part II
Depth Charge 2024 – Race Rocks Grand Cru with Cognac (10.1% ABV) from Lighthouse Brewing
As it was with ancient warships, conventional methods would only skim the surface. A bolder, more deliberate approach is necessary to confront the colossal creatures lurking beneath. Enter Depth Charge 2024. This year, the folks at Lighthouse decided to take inspiration from their beloved Race Rocks Amber Ale and make a beer that captures its bold malt flavours. By upsizing key malts like Munich and Crystal as well as adding other grains to double the ABV they created a rich and vibrant brew that was perfect for aging on Sugar Maple wood with a bold touch of Cognac.
Lighthouse Brewing is located in Victoria, on the Greater Victoria Ale Trail
Reinbeer Holiday Mystery Pack from Phillips Brewing & Malting
This holiday season, Phillips Brewing is celebrating creativity with the Reinbeer Mystery Pack. Featuring eight unique beers inspired by Santa’s mischievous B-Team of reindeer, the pack showcases the ingenuity of the brewing and creative teams. Each beer style was carefully crafted to reflect the personality and “crimes” of these holiday misfits, offering a fun and flavorful way to embrace the festive season. A true collaboration of brewing expertise and imaginative storytelling, this limited release is a must-try for craft beer enthusiasts.
SPOILER ALERT: Want to know what’s in the pack ahead of time? Find a full list of brews in this recent Beer Column by Josh Duncan at Now Media.
Phillips Brewing & Malting is located in Victoria, on the Greater Victoria Ale Trail
Holly Day Festive Ale (6% ABV | 10 IBU) from Rusted Rake Brewing
This full-bodied beer blends roasted malt and caramel with seasonal spices and orange peel, while oats and wheat create a silky-smooth finish and rich mahogany colour. This brew is perfect for celebrating holiday moments.
Rusted Rake Brewing is located in Nanoose Bay, on the Vancouver Island Ale Trail Part II
No matter how you celebrate the winter holidays, these craft beers (and so many more) offer a delightful way to mark the season’s special moments. Choose to always celebrate responsibly: have a designated driver, use ride-sharing services, or enjoy a non-alcoholic beverage option. Cheers to a joyous and deliciously crafted holiday season from all of us on the BC Ale Trail!
