Winter beers can take many different forms. Some are spiced and warm, others dark and nutty. There’s farmhouse ales aged in oak and fruit laced concoctions too. Here’s 10 winter beers brewed in Ontario we’re sipping this season.

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Grandpa’s Ol’ White Eggnog Stout

Great Lakes Brewery, Toronto
greatlakesbeer.com

Brewed with lactose, vanilla, nutmeg, cinnamon, this beer tastes just like it’s namesake. This year, $1 from each can of GLB’s exclusive “Grandpa’s Ol’ White Eggnog Stout” will be donated to Daily Bread to support 173 food programs in the city of Toronto.[/ezcol_4fifth_end]

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New Lang Syne

Beau’s All Natural Brewing, Vankleek Hill
beaus.ca

New Lang Syne is a strong, Belgian Tripel aged in white wine barrels, then bottle-conditioned to add a little extra sparkle. It’s fruity and peppery, perfect for a celebration.[/ezcol_4fifth_end]

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Spice Factory

The Second Wedge Brewing Co, Uxbridge
thesecondwedge.ca

A warming, spicy strong ale that’s been brewed specially to complement the flavours of the season. At 7.5% ABV, this brewery only brew is a heady marriage of rich specialty malts, ginger, nutmeg and allspice.[/ezcol_4fifth_end]

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Big Dog Beaujolais Porter

Neustadt Springs Brewery, Neustadt, ON
neustadtsprings.com
Dark smooth and rich, enhanced with 3% Pelee Island red wine giving a subtle fruitiness, offsetting the deep rich bitterness of the original porter. This beer was designed to emulate the London porters of old with a slight sourness.[/ezcol_4fifth_end]

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The Chocolate Manifesto Triple Chocolate Milk Stout

Flying Monkeys Brewing, Barrie, ON
theflyingmonkeys.ca
Unfermentable milk sugars, or Lactose, gives this classic Milk Stout voluptuous body and velvety mouthfeel. Then, three strata of raw cacao nibs, cacao powder, and chocolate malt layer a triple doozie of chocolate in this unique milk stout. Earthy espresso notes and creamy chocolate dominate this ruby-lit, burnt umber bodied beer simmering with a welcoming 10% abv of bittersweet warmth.[/ezcol_4fifth_end]

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Barrel-Aged Sour with Black Currants

Flora Hall Brewing, Ottawa, ON
florahallbrewing.ca
This unique sour is aged in Cab-Merlot barrels for 10 months, it’s got a rich, warming quality people don’t often associate with sours. It’s brewery only, but we don’t mind. One more reason to visit Ottawa this season![/ezcol_4fifth_end]

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Midnight Mass Chicory Oatmeal Stout

Brimstone Brewing Co, Ridgeway, ON
brimstonebrewing.ca
Conditioned on chicory, a traditional coffee substitute, this beer undulates of rich chocolate and espresso notes with a dry finish. Oatmeal is added during the mashing process giving this beer it’s pleasing mouthfeel.[/ezcol_4fifth_end]

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Dottie, Salted Apricot Pale Ale

Leftfield Brewery, Toronto, ON
leftfieldbrewery.ca
Named for hall-of-famer Dorothy “Dottie” Ferguson Key – one of 57 Canadian women to play in the AAGPBL (All-American Girls Professional Baseball league) for the real-life Rockford Peaches. Dottie is a hazy, full-bodied ale packed with the satisfyingly quenching flavour of plump, juicy apricots and balanced by sea salt.[/ezcol_4fifth_end]

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Bock Von Krumpas

William Street Brewing Co, Cobourg, ON
williamstreetbeer.com
This nutty, brown beer is made to emulate a traditional Bavarian style bock. It’s a strong amber lager with round, malt flavours and hints of dried fruit and caramel. It’s a limited release, so get it before it’s gone![/ezcol_4fifth_end]

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Trafalgar Chai Mead

Trafalgar Ales, Mead & Distillery, Oakville
trafalgarbrewing.com

Trafalgar’s Masala Chai Mead combines Mead Braggot (Mead brewed with malted barley) and a custom blend of masala chai tea. It is made with premium Ontario grown 2 row barley and Ontario wildflower honey sourced less than an hour from the Brewery. They also suggest warming it up in a pot (not to a boil) for an extra rich and flavorful Masala Chai Mead experience![/ezcol_4fifth_end]