Quick Answer: The Best Winter Beers in Ontario and the LCBO

Ontario winter beers are bigger, richer and built for cold weather. If you are searching for the best winter beers in Ontario or browsing the top winter beers in the LCBO, you will find that the standout options all share the same traits: depth, warmth and proper craftsmanship. Two of the most reliable winter choices remain MacLean’s Armchair Scotch Ale and MacLean’s Cherry Porter, both available at select retailers and the LCBO. This guide explores the best winter beer styles, why they suit the season, and how to choose the right one for your next cold evening in.

Why Winter Beers Matter

Winter has always been the season for beers with more presence. When the temperature drops, lighter beers tend to step aside for fuller-bodied ales with richer malt profiles and a gentle internal warmth. This tradition goes back centuries. European brewers crafted seasonal ales designed to nourish, travel well and comfort people through long, dark months. Scotch ales, porters, doppelbocks and strong stouts all developed because winter demanded beers with more character.

Today, Ontario continues that tradition. The best winter beers in Ontario are shaped by cold weather, local brewing talent and a growing appreciation for full-flavoured, malt-forward beers. Winter beer is not simply “strong beer”. It is about balance, skill and depth.

Best Winter Beers in the LCBO

If you are searching specifically for the best winter beers in the LCBO, you will find that the shelves change noticeably as the weather cools. Malt-led beers replace pale summer ales. Darker styles become more common. Seasonal releases appear alongside year-round favourites, and many breweries introduce holiday editions, barrel-aged projects or dessert-themed stouts.

The LCBO remains the easiest place in Ontario to find a wide winter selection. While availability varies by location, certain styles return year after year because customers look for them during the cold months. The most popular include Scotch ales, porters, stouts, spiced ales and stronger lagers such as doppelbocks.

What makes these styles suitable for winter is not only the alcohol content but the broader flavour experience. Winter beers tend to feel smoother, rounder and more layered. They hold their own beside rich comfort food or a quiet night by the fire.

MacLean’s Winter Favourites

Among the best winter beers in Ontario, the MacLean’s seasonal staples remain two of the most dependable and widely enjoyed options. Both styles offer depth, warmth and balance without drifting into heaviness.

MacLean’s Armchair Scotch Ale

Type: Scotch Ale
ABV: 7.5%
Tagline: One sip and you will stay awhile.
Links:
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LCBO

Armchair Scotch Ale is a slow sipper made for winter evenings. It has a warming, layered malt profile with notes of caramelised grain, toffee and subtle toasted sweetness. Unlike some strong ales that lean sharp or hot, Armchair is rounded and smooth, which makes it ideal for long conversations, board games, reading or simply sinking into the sofa after a long day.

It showcases the characteristics that make Scotch ales such reliable winter beers: richness without heaviness, strength without aggression, and flavour that becomes deeper as the beer warms in the glass.

MacLean’s Cherry Porter

Type: Porter
Links:
View on MacLean’s
LCBO

Cherry Porter is built on a chocolatey, roasty base with a refined cherry note that adds brightness rather than sweetness. It pours dark and silky, opening with cocoa and biscuit flavours before finishing smooth and lightly tart. It fits perfectly into the winter beer category thanks to its balance of comfort, richness and approachability.

Compared to heavier stouts, a porter offers a gentler roast character, making it easier to enjoy on its own or as a dessert companion. That combination makes Cherry Porter one of the best winter beers in the LCBO each season.

Best Winter Beers in Ontario: Styles to Look For

Ontario has developed one of the best winter craft beer selections in Canada. You can find everything from traditional European styles to modern seasonal experiments. The following categories represent the core of the winter season.

Scotch Ales and Winter Warmers

These malt-forward ales focus on caramel, toffee and toasted grain. Their smooth, warming finish makes them ideal for long evenings. MacLean’s Armchair Scotch Ale remains one of the strongest examples of the style in Ontario.

Porters

Porters offer chocolate, biscuit and gentle roast flavours without the intensity of darker stouts. They are ideal for people who like depth but prefer a softer, less aggressive profile. MacLean’s Cherry Porter fits this style perfectly.

Stouts

Winter stouts range from simple sessionable versions to bold imperial stouts. They can include notes of bitter chocolate, roasted coffee, toasted grain or dark fruit. Many breweries release seasonal chocolate stouts during the holidays.

Doppelbocks

A strong lager with smooth malt sweetness, bready character and a clean finish. These beers suit winter because they offer warmth without roast or spice.

Spiced Winter Ales

These beers introduce cinnamon, nutmeg or orange peel into the base ale. The best ones use spice with restraint so that the malt still leads the experience.

Barrel-Aged Seasonal Releases

Barrel-aged winter beers often include flavours of vanilla, oak and caramel. They are meant for slow sipping and often come in limited batches.

Ontario Winter Picks We Always Rate

The province produces a large variety of winter options each year. While availability changes, certain types always stand out:

• A smooth session stout for relaxed afternoons
• A chocolate-focused stout for dessert lovers
• A malt-rich doppelbock
• A winter warmer with caramel and toasted malt
• A special barrel release for slow sipping

These offer variety without overwhelming the palate and help round out the best winter beer selections in Ontario.

The Best Après-Ski Beer

Après-ski is a category of its own. After skiing, snowshoeing or winter hiking, people usually want something crisp and refreshing rather than heavy. That is why MacLean’s Light Lager remains a favourite in this setting.

Clean, smooth and easy-drinking, it is a natural fit after time on the hill. It cools the palate, feels effortless and pairs well with winter sunshine or fireside seating. For the full article on après-ski options, see:

Read: The Perfect Après-Ski Beer

How to Serve Winter Beers for Full Flavour

A winter beer shows its best qualities when served correctly.

• Temperature: Slightly warmer than lagers. Ten to thirteen degrees brings out malt aroma.
• Glassware: A tulip or snifter suits winter ales well.
• Pacing: Allow the beer to warm naturally. Flavour expands as temperature rises.
• Food: Winter beers pair well with roasts, chocolate desserts, stews and strong cheeses.
• Sharing: Stronger bottles are ideal for splitting between two glasses.

Final Thoughts

Ontario offers one of the best winter craft beer selections you will find anywhere in Canada. The LCBO plays a major role by providing a wide range of seasonal options, from dark and roasty to rich and warming. Among these, MacLean’s Armchair Scotch Ale and MacLean’s Cherry Porter remain two of the most consistent and well-loved winter beers in the province. They are built on craftsmanship, tradition and balance, making them reliable choices for cold nights and winter gatherings.

If you are stocking up, check your local LCBO or use the MacLean’s Beer Finder Map to locate our winter releases near you. Whether you prefer a malt-rich Scotch ale, a chocolate-led porter or a smooth après-ski lager, winter is the season that rewards slow enjoyment and full-flavoured beer.