If you’re in Delhi right now, you’re probably wrapped up like a human momo. If you’re in Mumbai, you’re pretending it’s cold because winter outfits deserve their moment. Either way, the weather shifts, the vibe shifts, and so should your beer!
Most of us grew up believing beer is only for sweaty afternoons and beachy brunches. But winter? That’s apparently the whisky season. Well, not anymore.
Craft beer in India has changed the scene. It’s grown up. It’s fuller, braver, and way more interesting than the same old wheat beers and basic lagers we used to settle for. And when the air gets colder, these bolder brews really start showing off.
Think of them as “sipping beers”; the brews you don’t pound, but savour after a long day. You let them sit on your tongue for a moment. They’ve got body, and they warm your chest in a comforting way… kinda like a hug from someone who smells faintly of malt.
Winter beer styles are actually built for this season. They shine when the temps dip. They make cold evenings a little softer and a lot tastier. So if you’ve been wondering which ones count as the best craft beers for winter season, you’re in a good place.
Cuz Effingut’s winter lineup is coming in hot!
Beer Belongs in Your Winter Wardrobe. Here’s Why!
You know those beers that taste light and bubbly, almost like someone carbonated a glass of water? Great in the summer. But when the temps drop, they lose their spark.
Winter wants something like a bit of weight, and that’s where mouthfeel matters. Thick. Creamy. Silky. Velvety. Each winter has its own personality.
And once you start exploring winter beer styles, you notice how roasted malts and heavier grains do the heavy lifting. They bring out flavours that feel instantly right for cold evenings.
It’s somewhat like switching from cotton sheets to a quilt: same purpose, very different vibe.
The cool part is local brewers are already leaning into this. Craft beer in India is getting bolder and a lot more playful with darker malts and warmer styles made for slow sipping. You aren’t meant to rush these, but settle in and let the flavour grow on you.
Also, science is actually on your side! Higher ABV does warm your chest as you drink like a tiny campfire. Dramatic, sure, but also very real. And really, much more helpful than pretending your flimsy denim jacket is thicker than it is.
Love Good Beer? Effingut Has Plenty. Join the True Craft Club!
The Heavy Hitters: Effingut’s Winter Lineup
Effingut has never been the “mild” type. So when winter shows up, we don’t tiptoe. We bring out the big guns. Beers that take over your evening and maybe your plans afterwards. Here’s the full winter squad, ready to keep your oesophagus warm:
Hefty Braggot
If you’ve ever thought, “I want a beer but also something classy,” this is the one. Half beer, half mead, and somehow completely balanced.
Hefty Braggot blends malt and honey, yielding a floral, sweet sip. It’s warm, aromatic, and perfect if you want something intense without stepping into full dessert territory.
Cyser
Our Christmas special. And to be honest, it does taste as if the holidays invited themselves over. Apple and honey come together in a way that feels to us like sipping chilled apple pie that’s been given a grown-up upgrade.
Cyser easily counts among the best craft beers for winter season celebrations because it brings a cosy, festive warmth in every sip. A couple gulps in, and you’ll swear you hear bells jingling in the distance!
Barley Wine
Ignore the name. It’s not wine, but beer with the confidence of a top-shelf spirit.
You get caramel, toffee, dried fruit, and a high ABV that taps your shoulder and says, “Slow down.”
Barley Wine is meant to be savoured. You treat it with respect, perhaps even raise a toast. It’s the quiet winter royalty sitting at the back of the bar.
Imperial Stout
Pitch black. Roasty. A little dangerous in a fun way.
Imperial Stout brings flavours of coffee, dark chocolate, and deeply roasted malt that create this dessert-meets-midnight mood only winter can handle. It’s thick and warm and a total flex in the craft beer in India scene right now.
If you want a beer that’s like you’ve got a hug from the Caped Crusader himself, you’ve found it.
NEIPA(High ABV)
People think winter can’t be fruity. This beer disagrees.
A high-ABV New England IPA delivers haze, tropical aromas, and a cushy mouthfeel. It’s creamy and lush. The vibe is Goa on the surface, Gulmarg underneath. A fun little identity crisis.
Cookie Porter
Imagine cookies. Now imagine drinking them. That’s Cookie Porter.
You get roasted biscuit vibes, chocolatey sweetness, and a warm finish as if your mom just pulled a tray of cookies out of the oven.
Skip dessert. This is enough!
Oatmeal Stout (Breakfast of Champions?)
Smooth, silky, and almost creamy.
The oats give it a velvety texture that wraps around your palate. It’s comforting and decadent, and easily one of the winter beer styles worth slowing down for.
And no, it’s not actually breakfast. But if you choose to pretend, who are we to stop you?
Pairing Winter Brews with Comfort Food
Winter beers are already great, but they hit a whole new level when you pair them with the right food. And by “right”, we mean warm, slightly indulgent dishes.
Not salads. Please not salads. Save those for April.
Stouts and Porters are absolute chaos in the best way when paired with chocolate desserts or smoked meats. The roasted notes meet each other halfway and create this rich, velvet moment you’ll think about later.
Barley Wine is a mood altogether different. It loves strong cheese. It also loves quiet evenings and whatever playlist makes you the main character in your living room. NEIPA, with its all fruity sweetness, pairs beautifully with spicy curries. It’s a surprisingly good tag team.
Every pairing makes enjoying craft beer in India even better when the air gets cooler.
Ending on a Warm Note
Summer might pull the bigger crowd, but winter gets the people who actually pay attention. This is the season for slow slips, deep flavours, and those small moments when a good beer feels almost philosophical.
If you’re looking to try the best craft beers for winter season, swing by your nearest Effingut, Colaba, Gurugram, Koregaon Park, Saket, Balewadi, Camp and the newest Goregaon brewpub. Your next favourite winter drink is probably waiting there already.
Stay warm, stay slightly tipsy, and keep it Effingut!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Are winter beers stronger than regular beers?
Usually yes! Many winter beer styles use more malt, which naturally bumps up the ABV. That doesn’t mean they’ll knock you off your chair. It just means you sip them slowly, like a calm, collected adult that you (probably) are.
2. Do winter beers have to be dark?
Not at all. Dark beers get most of the attention, but high-ABV juicy beers like NEIPAs hold their own really well in winter. The real game is warmth and body, not colour.
3. Can I enjoy these beers even if I’m not a strong beer guy/gal?
Of course. Start with something gentle, like Oatmeal Stout or Cookie Porter. These beers lean on flavour, not just strength, so they’re easy to ease into.
4. Do winter beers age well?
Some of them, yes. Barley Wine, Imperial Stout, and a few strong ales (you can find them here on effingut.com/shop can mellow beautifully with time. But don’t age anything heavily hopped with NEIPAs. They’re hoppiest when they’re fresh and loud.
5. Are all Effingut beers preservative-free?
Yes. Every single one. No preservatives, no chemicals, no weird add-ons. Just beer the way it’s supposed to be.
6. Where can I try these winter beers?
At the Effingut brewpubs in Pune, Mumbai & NCR. And very soon, Goregaon. Effingut 2 Go outlets also carry seasonal brews in growlers and cans so that you can enjoy your winter favourites from the comfort of your Fort Blanket!