I appreciate fresh hop. I like a good pumpkin ale. But oh, man—winter beer season is the best. And it's finally here. Though incredible options abound, a few annual beer releases have garnered a special following. They generally involve long sojourns in bourbon barrels and small batches of 22-ounce bottles, the tops dipped in wax. Obtaining one often involves standing in line.

I was sad to hear Airways Brewing isn't doing its Final Departure imperial stout this year, but here's the rundown on some other culty releases...and how to get your hands on some.

Reuben's Brews: Bourbon Barrel Imperial Stout
It's only the second year the Ballard brewery has released its hefty stout. But the long lines for last year's release accorded it instant cult status. The 2014 version has slightly more roast character and spent a year in 30-year-old barrels.
Get it: This Saturday, November 15, only at the brewery. Doors open at noon and there will likely be a three-bottle limit per person. It will also be on draft, along with a non-barrel version and last year's bourbon barrel imperial stout. Compare and contrast.

Fremont Brewing: Bourbon Abominable Winter Ale
When it comes time to brew the roasty Abominable Ale, the crew makes a special batch with a bit more booze to stand up to a year of barrel aging. The result is packed with cocoa and vanilla notes and an alcoholic wallop.
Get it: On black Friday, November 28. The tap room (formal name: Urban Beer Garden) is a sure bet for bottles, but they're reliably available in shops around town, too. Look for a cinnamon and coffee version (made with Tony's Coffee from Bellingham) around the second week of December. 

Schooner Exact: Hoppy the Woodsman
SoDo's stalwart brewery now bottles this aged version of its Hoppy Holidays winter ale, which spends at least six months on oak. Through it all, the hops stay strong, which is why IPA lovers I know have a particular allegiance to this beer.
Get it: On Monday, November 17 on draft and in bottles in the taproom. It should show up in stores later that week.

Wingman Brewers: Bourbon Barrel Stratofortress
I confess, I haven't had this particular beer, but perhaps a trip to Tacoma is in short order. Earlier this year, brewer Ken Thoburn went to Kentucky and drove back with a truckload of barrels from Willett, a renowned bourbon distillery often mentioned in the same breath as Pappy Van Winkle. Some of those barrels have been busy holding Wingman's much-loved Stratofortress, a Belgian-style strong ale that's otherwise aged on rum-soaked cedar. This is only the second year Stratofortress has been bottled, and when you throw the extra-tiny bourbon barrel batch, things get especially exciting.
Get it: Both the regular and bourbon barrel versions get released November 22 at what sounds like one hell of a dark beer party. Thoburn says he's trying to make enough to last the winter, but I have a feeling it won't be around for long.