One of the first beers these boys ever brewed, it’s still a favourite for the winter months. 4% ABV and a lower carbonation makes it an English Best Bitter in the truest form – if you get the opportunity, try it off a hand pump for the best flavour.

About as classic a winter beer as it gets, stout is mothers’ milk to beer drinkers who live in cold climates, and this one from 4 Pines is an absolute ripper. In true stout style it is thick and chocolatey with caramel notes, a toasty mid-palate and a rich mouthfeel. If you’re wondering why the neck label says ‘Space Beer’, it’s exactly that, the team at 4 Pines specially developed this stout to be the first beer consumed in space, having gone through rigorous testing, including a lengthy trip on the ‘Vomit Comet’, to experience zero Gs of gravity.

From the Queensland brewers who’ve made themselves know for the light, refreshing characteristics of their beers comes this; a brown ale with a difference. While it has all the telltale signs of a dark beer (toasty, chocolatey, rich), it’s also incredibly balanced and easy to drink, making it a perfect Australian winter beer for when you want to grab a few and hook in for a session.

Clocking in at a whopping 8.5% ABV, this dark scotch ale from Gippsland brewers Grand Ridge is one of the biggest flavours on this list. Perfect for a cold night in front of a fire, this ale is best enjoyed at a slightly higher temperature than you’d normally expect for a beer. Pair it with a big, hearty stew or any classic wintry fare.

Hobart’s Moorilla estate is one of the food and wine region’s best assets, and a perfect place to warm up during a freezing Tassie winter. Each year for winter, the winery / brewery combo release their famous seasonal stout, nicknamed The Velvet Sledgehammer, which makes a visit during the colder months well worthwhile. Classic stout characteristics of chocolate, toffee and toasted malt dominate, with a rich, heavy mouthfeel and super long finish. Australian winter beer from a bunch of brewers who know a thing or two about cold weather.

This delicious dram from Marrickville brewery Willie The Boatman is an old-style ale, with a flavour profile made for winter. Bacony smoke on the nose leads into rich, chocolatey flavours on the front palate and a big hit of coffee at the end. While the taste is huge, the ABV sits just below 5%, making it an easier beer to have more than one of than some of the others on this list.

Doctors Orders release their beers by the season, and generally sell out before the kegs have even been filled. This one’s called Malpractice, but it’s always good to check in on their site to see what they’ve been up to as they often won’t repeat the same beer twice, and we highly recommend you try to get your hands on them before they’re all gone. Here, an India Stout (Hoppy Stout) blends an IPA with a Dry Stout, delivering more toast than a Black IPA but with all the big hoppy notes from Hop Hash.

This black IPA from Northern Beaches boys Modus Operandi is a delightfully dark beer which gets made at wintertime to appease the thirsty masses. Completely jet black, it’s a huge smack of flavours with a creamy mouthfeel and a high ABV of 8.1% – this beer has been brewed for the sole purpose of keeping you happy during winter, though probably not sober.

Not technically a winter beer, but we figured we’d include it as the huge ABV of 10.2% is likely to have some warming capability. This is a layered golden ale which has been bolstered with the addition of Archie Rose White Rye, making it a seriously strong beer. Boozy flavours don’t dominate, however – this is a delicate and very drinkable beer.

An oldie but a goodie – each vintage of this extra strong ale from the South Australian stalwart is strong, bitter and complex, and can be matured (under correct cellaring conditions) to further develop the hoppy flavours. Perfect for a winter drink when you want to prioritise quality over quantity.

More Beer to Get Your Taste Buds Round