Whether you're sweating it out on a hot patio in August, throwing down on a spicy batch of crawfish in February or just looking for a beer with a little punch, Peticolas' Velvet Hammer is a solid choice. A 9 percent ABV imperial red ale with no shortage of hops, it's got it all: a malty, caramel base with just enough hoppy bite. It's hard to find a beer that goes down smooth in both winter weather and surface-of-the-sun heat, but Peticolas nailed it with Velvet Hammer.
Readers' Pick:
Revolver's Blood and Honey