Hopewell Stay Frosty 4Pk

Hopewell Stay Frosty 4Pk is a bock-strength amber winter lager brewed by Hopewell Brewing Co. in Chicago, Illinois, at 6% ABV in a 4-pack of 16-ounce cans. Rated 3.78 out of 5 on BeerAdvocate, this seasonal release stands out for its robust malt backbone and clean lager fermentation, delivering more depth than a standard winter seasonal without veering into heavy territory.

Quick Facts: ABV: 6%  |  Origin: Chicago, Illinois  |  Style: Bock-Strength Amber Winter Lager  |  Brewery: Hopewell Brewing Co.

Production & Heritage

Hopewell Brewing Co. operates out of Chicago's Logan Square neighborhood, building a reputation for thoughtful, style-driven lagers and ales since its founding. Stay Frosty is classified as a bock-strength amber lager, meaning it carries more malt intensity and a higher ABV than typical amber lagers while retaining the crisp, clean character of a proper cold-fermented beer. The bock-level grain bill leans heavily on roasted and caramel malts, balanced by restrained noble hop additions that provide structure without overwhelming bitterness.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Complex roasted malt leads the nose, followed by sweet bready graininess and an earthier nuttiness underneath. A faint noble hop spiciness rounds out the bouquet.

Taste: The entry is full-bodied and malt-forward, with pronounced caramel sweetness coating the palate. Mid-palate, a toasted nuttiness develops alongside the bready malt core. Earthy hop bitterness makes its presence known toward the back, providing essential balance against the malt richness.

Finish: Medium-length with a clean lager dryness that prevents the malt sweetness from lingering too long. Residual notes of toasted bread and subtle nuttiness fade gradually.

How to Drink Stay Frosty

Pour into a tulip glass or dimpled mug at cellar temperature—around 45–50°F—to let the malt complexity open up without losing the lager's characteristic crispness. Stay Frosty also works as a hearty ingredient in beer cocktails: try it in a Black and Tan layered beneath a dry stout for textural contrast; use it in a Beergarita where the caramel malt plays off lime and salt; or build a Snakebite with dry cider, letting the amber malt sweetness temper the cider's tartness.

Best For

• Cold-weather gatherings where you want something richer than a standard lager
• Pairing alongside a holiday dinner spread of roasted meats and root vegetables
• Introducing craft lager drinkers to bock-strength styles
• Stocking a seasonal beer fridge with limited-release winter offerings

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Stay Frosty taste like? Stay Frosty is a full-bodied amber lager dominated by caramel malt sweetness, toasted nuttiness, and bready grain, balanced by earthy noble hop bitterness and a clean lager finish.

How does Stay Frosty compare to Samuel Adams Winter Lager? Both are malt-driven winter seasonals, but Stay Frosty leans into a bock-strength amber profile with more pronounced nuttiness and caramel character, while Samuel Adams Winter Lager incorporates wheat and cinnamon for a spiced approach to the style.

Is Stay Frosty good for sipping on its own? Absolutely—its robust malt complexity and clean fermentation make it rewarding to drink straight from a proper glass at cellar temperature, especially during colder months.

Where is Stay Frosty made? Stay Frosty is brewed by Hopewell Brewing Co. in the Logan Square neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois.

What foods pair well with Stay Frosty? Braised short ribs benefit from the beer's caramel malt echo; roasted root vegetables mirror its toasted nuttiness; aged Gouda complements the bready sweetness; grilled sausages match its bock-level body; and soft pretzels with mustard are a classic pairing for any malt-forward German-style lager.

What sizes does Stay Frosty come in? Stay Frosty is available in a 4-pack of 16-ounce cans, totaling 64 ounces per package.

Is Stay Frosty worth the price? Stay Frosty positions as a craft seasonal release at a mid-range price point, delivering bock-level complexity and a polished malt profile that justifies its place above mass-market winter seasonals.

Why Stay Frosty?

What separates Stay Frosty from the crowded field of winter seasonal beers is its disciplined approach to the bock-strength amber lager style—rich and malty without relying on adjunct spices or excessive sweetness. With a 3.78 rating on BeerAdvocate across a solid base of reviews, it has earned consistent respect from the craft beer community. The 6% ABV hits a satisfying middle ground: enough body to feel substantial on a cold evening, but restrained enough for a second pour. For drinkers who want a winter beer that actually tastes like beer—malt, grain, hops, and clean fermentation—Stay Frosty delivers exactly that.