With half of the US still buried under mountains of snow and plummeting temperatures across much of the country, you’ll need to fortify yourself with a high velocity beer just to face the elements.

And here are 15 cold-weather beers, not suprisingly all of them stouts, that are guaranteed to keep you warm when the winter winds howl…

Toppling Goliath – Kentucky Brunch Brand Stout Decorah, Iowa
ABV: 12%

Still the white whale of American stouts, KBBS remains absurdly rich without tipping into chaos. Maple syrup, espresso, and chocolate fudge glide over a massive barrel-aged base that somehow stays composed. In 2025, it continued to set the benchmark for pastry-leaning imperial stouts done right.

Revolution Brewing – Deth’s Tar (Barrel-Aged) Chicago, Illinois
ABV: 14%

A modern classic that never chases trends. Deth’s Tar is dense, roasty, and unapologetically old-school, with bourbon barrels adding structure rather than sweetness. In a year full of dessert stouts, this one stood out for its restraint.

Fremont Brewing – Brew 1000 Seattle, Washington
ABV: ~13.5%

Released to celebrate Fremont’s 1,000th brew, this imperial stout showcased the brewery’s barrel-aging finesse. Layers of dark chocolate, toasted coconut, and oak came together with elegance, proving Fremont still belongs in the stout conversation’s top tier.

(Courtesy Goose Island Beer Company)

Goose Island – Bourbon County Brand Stout (2025) Chicago, Illinois
ABV: ~14.7%

Love it or critique it, Bourbon County remains unavoidable. The 2025 release leaned slightly drier than recent years, with pronounced cocoa nibs and vanilla framing the bourbon heat. It felt like a subtle recalibration—and a welcome one.

Bottle Logic – Darkstar November Anaheim, California
ABV: ~14%

Bottle Logic continued its science-meets-dessert approach with a stout that balanced sweetness and depth remarkably well. Notes of brownie batter, toasted marshmallow, and barrel char kept Darkstar November indulgent without becoming cloying.

Tree House Brewing – Moment of Clarity Charlton, Massachusetts
ABV: ~7.8%

Known primarily for hazy IPAs, Tree House quietly produced one of the cleanest non-barrel stouts of the year. Chocolate malt, fresh-brewed coffee, and a silky mouthfeel made this proof that finesse doesn’t require a bourbon barrel—or double-digit alcohol.

Side Project Brewing – Derivation Blend #X Maplewood, Missouri
ABV: ~14.2%

Side Project continued its near-mythical run with another meticulous Derivation blend. Each sip revealed layers—vanilla bean, dark fruit, and oak—assembled with the precision of a winemaker. This was contemplative stout drinking at its best.

(Courtesy Prairie Artisan Ales)

Prairie Artisan Ales – Pirate Bomb! Krebs, Oklahoma
ABV: 13.5%

A return to form for Prairie, Pirate Bomb! delivered intensity without excess. Coffee, chocolate, and spice notes rode atop a muscular base that stayed surprisingly drinkable. It reminded drinkers why Prairie helped define modern American stout culture.

Anchorage Brewing – Blessed (Barrel-Aged) Anchorage, Alaska
ABV: ~14%

Anchorage’s farmhouse sensibility carried over into this elegant stout. Less sweet, more layered, and lightly oxidative in the best way, Blessed felt more like a dark ale meant to be savored slowly than a dessert replacement.

Perennial Artisan Ales – Abraxas (2025 Release) St. Louis, Missouri
ABV: ~11%

Chilies, cacao, cinnamon, and vanilla returned in balance for the 2025 release of Abraxas. It remained bold but refined, proving that even heavily spiced stouts can age gracefully when built on a solid foundation.

3 Floyds Brewing – Dark Lord (2025 Release) Munster, Indiana
ABV: 15%

Still one of the biggest, loudest stouts in America, Dark Lord brought waves of vanilla, molasses, and dark fruit. It’s not subtle, but in 2025 it felt more polished than ever.

Courtesy Founders Brewing)

Founders Brewing – KBS Grand Rapids, Michigan
ABV: 12%

KBS may not be as rare as it once was, but it still delivers (as does its many limited release variations). Coffee, chocolate, and bourbon melded into a smooth, dessert-like stout that stayed balanced despite its intensity.

Cigar City Brewing – Hunahpu’s Imperial Stout Tampa, Florida
ABV: 11.5%

Chocolate, cinnamon, and chili returned in force for Hunahpu’s 2025 release. Rich and warming, it struck a beautiful balance between sweetness and spice, earning its spot among the country’s most iconic stouts.

Burial Beer Co. – Sky Burial (Barrel-Aged) Asheville, North Carolina
ABV: ~13%

Burial’s brooding, artistic approach to beer shone through here. Dark chocolate, toasted oak, and subtle smoke created a stout that felt layered, moody, and perfectly suited for long nights and slow pours.

Deschutes Brewery – The Abyss (2025 Release) Bend, Oregon
ABV: 12%

The Abyss remains one of America’s great aging stouts, and the 2025 release leaned more toward chocolate, molasses, and gentle barrel spice. It was complex without being overbuilt, perfect for slow winter sipping.