The holiday season is here, and with that there are tons of hoppy, dark and festive beers to try. Order one of these local winter brews at a bar, drink one by the fireplace, or give them as holiday gifts to one of your best pals.  

Evil Genius Santa!! I Know Him
This beer is brewed with rose hips, black currants, and chamomile, which are by no coincidence considered aphrodisiacs. The beer is meant to be a combination of Belgian saison flavor with the powerful punch of spice to keep things warm during the winter. (Saison, 7.2% ABV)

Flying Fish Grand Cru Winter Reserve
Don’t let the non-descript Flying Fish packaging fool you—this is a winter beer. The beer is golden in color with a hoppy taste and a dry finish. It is not brewed with any spices, but has spicy undertones due to its special fermentation process. (Belgian Abbey, 6.9% ABV)

Manayunk Festivus Ale
This spicy beer is brewed with cardamom, brown sugar, chocolate malt and other winter spices. Enjoy plum and raisin flavors while sipping on this great festive brew. (Winter Spiced Ale, 7% ABV)

Neshaminy Creek Mudbank Milk Stout
Winter is undoubtedly stout season, and this milk stout doesn’t disappoint. Neshaminy’s brewers make the beer with lactose sugar and flaked oats to provide the perfect amount of sweetness and it’s full bodied taste. (Milk Stout, 6.5% ABV)

Philadelphia Brewing Co Winter Wüder
Cloves, plums, dates, cinnamon, allspice, and ginger spice this warmer to make a delightfully festive blend. Philadelphia Brewing Company says on their website that “Winter Wünder is best enjoyed with the warmth of a good tavern, in the clutch of good friends new or old,” and we must agree. (Winter Warmer, 6.2%)

River Horse Belgian Freeze
Try this hearty, amber colored ale with a heavy winter meal or a cheese plate. It’s brewed with caramel malt, which provides great flavor as well as warmth. (Winter Ale, 8% ABV)

Sly Fox Christmas Ale
This red ale is made with the perfect blend of seasonal spices like ginger, clove, cinnamon, allspice and nutmeg. You also will want to keep the ornately decorated Christmas tree can once you’re finished. (Spiced Ale, 6.5% ABV)

Troegs Blizzard of Hops
This beer is truly an onslaught of hops, though it is light in color and easy to drink compared to other winter brews. The beer is bursting with notes of pine and citrus and is great to pair with a holiday meal. (IPA, 6.4% ABV)

Yards Chocolate Love Stout
Show your friends you love them by bringing this stout to the holiday party this year. Brewed with 100% cacao Belgian dark chocolate, this brew is incredibly smooth and filled with rich, chocolatey perfection. (Stout, 6.9% ABV)

Photo via Sly Fox Brewery