Try these hearty seasonal beers for cold winter nights

"Every winter, breweries put out their finest special releases to celebrate the season with winter beers and holiday ales. It's a chance for them to make unique beers that take advantage of the cooler weather, crafting beers that are often stronger, darker or more complex than their usual fare. In part, that's to entice new customers who maybe haven't tried their beer yet."

"Now that Anchor Christmas Ale is in hibernation (though hopefully it will return next year fingers crossed), probably the oldest modern American winter beer still being brewed is Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale, which made its debut in 1981. It's one of the first IPAs in the craft era and is now considered a fresh hop ale. Using Cascade and Centennial hop varieties, it packs a hop punch of pine and citrus aromas and flavors."

Breweries release special winter and holiday ales that are often stronger, darker, and more complex to suit colder weather and entice new customers. Winter beers aim to warm from the inside and offer sipping experiences for reflection during the holidays. Bay Area breweries and international brewers supply a wide array of seasonal options each year. Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale, debuted in 1981, is a longstanding modern American winter beer and a fresh hop ale featuring Cascade and Centennial hops with pine and citrus notes. Limited winter releases include spiced ales with cacao and stronger Belgian-style holiday beers with fruit and caramel complexity.

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