Beer is such an insanely broad topic. I think a better original post would have been focusing on one or two beers that the OP thinks is awesome. I guess this is what the OP did but I guess I just wish he picked it a different title.
Anyway, I have two similar and awesome beers in my fridge right now.
1.
"Rogue's annual holiday offering, Santa's Private Reserve, is a variation of the classic Saint Rogue Red, but with double the hops--including Chinook, and Centennial, and a mystery hop called Rudolph by head brewer John "more hops" Maier!This holiday elixir is brewed with two-row Harrington, Klages and Munich malts, along with Hugh Baird 30-37, Carastan 13-17, and Crystal 70-80 malts, plus free range coastal water and John's proprietary top-fermenting Pacman yeast. Available in both 22-ounce bottles, 12oz Loose packs for Winter 2005, and 12oz six packs for 2006.
Measurements: 13 degrees Plato, IBU 44, Apparent attenuation 73, Lovibond 26"
2.
"We like to think we beat winter at its own game with 2°Below Winter Ale- a bright, warming blast of Sterling and Liberty hops along with tawny-roasted malts. By pushing our 2°Below into a final, nearly freezing state, its ample structure develops a brilliant clarity.
Dry-hopping during fermentation creates a rosy, floral nose with a hint of pepper spice and subtle, estery undertones. Weighing in at 6.6% alcohol by volume with 30 IBU's, 2°Below provides a bright, hoppy palate and a cheery warm afterglow.
We hope it helps take your winter from bearable to downright delightful."
I'm loving both of them at this point. They're winter ales on on hand but both amber (not black/brown) on the other. It's nice, they so super awesome with 'winter' but you can drink more then one :-p.