Ten beers to usher in the winter

"While sinking a cold glass of light, refreshing beer in the summer months at the end of a tough day is utterly glorious, as winter approaches, I love turning to slightly more complex brews.

"Just like anything else in life, a lot of the pleasure of artisan beer is in the anticipation. I recommend pouring a few inches into the glass, admiring its colour and then swirling it around and giving it a really good nose before taking that first glorious sip. I promise you, it will really heighten your drinking experience and is something I heartily recommend for the selection of sophisticated stunners below.

Freedom Dark Lager, 4.7% ABV

When you want the refreshment of a light lager but a little more depth of flavour for the colder months, this is your beer. A caramel nose, with a fresh mineral edge, this beer has a lovely light body, with a hint of toffee and a twist of orange peel at the end.

Available from Freedom Lager

Ilkley Brewery Black, 3.7% ABV

When you want something satisfying, yet on the lower side of the alcohol scale, mild is your very best friend. This particular example is lusciously espresso-like on the nose and palate, joined by a little bit of astringent redcurrant and a moreish hint of liquorice at the end.

Available from Ilkley Brewery

Thornbridge Jaipur, 5.9% ABV

A perfect match with a feisty, dry curry like a rendang to warm the cockles of your heart, this IPA is an intriguing mix of fresh tropical fruits and zippy grapefruit. It's a zesty passionfruit nose , joined by a tempering sweetness in the middle and ending on a lovely dry citrus note.

Available from Waitrose

Magic Rock Dark Arts, 6% ABV

Come over to the dark side! This is a stunning stout that slinks into your glass with wafts of chocolate and coffee, along with big hits of juicy blackberry and luscious blackcurrant, finishing off on a crackly nettle note that makes you want to slide back in for more.

Available from Magic Rock Brewing

Robinsons Old Tom, 8.5% ABV

You will smile like the Cheshire cat on the front of this bottle when you first indulge in this sumptuous beer. I love this with a cheese board, it's almost like a chutney, full of rich, Christmas pudding-like flavours and a lovely, praline smoothness, with a soft redcurrant end.

Available from Sainsbury's nationwide

Orkney Dark Island Reserve, 10% ABV

This beer feels like it should be served in a brandy balloon and drunk while sitting in a wingback chair and sporting a smoking jacket - it's that special. Aged in Orkney whisky casks, this 'extraordinary Orcadian ale' exudes rich allspice and sandalwood notes, joined in the mouth by an orange liqueur-like note with a hint of cinnamon and a rich, bitter chocolate finish.

Available from Royal Mile Whiskies

Saranac Pumpkin Ale, 5.4% ABV

If you've ever eaten pumpkin pie and loved it then this is the beer for you. Brewed in the US with whole pumpkin and flavoured with cinnamon, allspice, cloves and vanilla, it's also got a hefty belt of warming ginger notes and the lively carbonation means it's never cloying.

Available from Beers of Europe

Chimay Blue, 9% ABV

When you drink a Trappist beer you are doing some good, as the monks plough all their profits back into the upkeep of the brewery or doing good works in the local community. With a fascinating aroma of milk chocolate and a floral hint of geranium, Chimay Blue is significantly rich on the palate with rye bread, sandalwood and rich, deep caramel notes - a classic.

Available from supermarkets nationwide

Fuller's ESB, 5.9% ABV

At the grand old age of 40, Fuller's ESB was the original extra special bitter and is still the benchmark for ESBs everywhere. Full of fruit cake and fudge, and with a refreshing marmaladey end, it ticks the boxes of satisfying and warming, and is great with roast pork.

Available from major supermarkets

Saison Dupont, 6.5% ABV

Saisons aren't that familiar to many but are worth investigating for the sophisticated palate. Originally brewed to slake the thirst of farmworkers these have continued to be a traditional Belgian style. A peppery, apricot nose leads through to an earthy, citrus body with a crisp bitter orange finish; it's super with steamed marmalade pudding.

Available from Beer Boxx

Hopefully this selection is just a starting point for you and I hope you enjoy more fantastic brews over the colder months while tucked up with a warming stew and a good book, while the wind howls fruitlessly at the window.

On Ciao: Buy Melissa Cole's Let Me Tell You About Beer (published by Pavilion)

Always drink in moderation - visit the Drink Aware website for the facts

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