It’s officially “the most wonderful time of the year”. And we don’t just mean that it’s finally December. The start of the last month of the year means it’s time for the rich, malty, sometimes spiced Christmas beer. So, you might say that it’s actually the most wonderful time for a beer.
Over the years, I’ve had my fair share of Christmas beers, and I’ve learned a few things about the style. The most important thing is that you can only enjoy this beer style from right after Thanksgiving through January. After that, your best bet is to move on to the spring beers. I mean, who wants to drink a beer that tastes like Christmas in a bottle or can in February or March?
What is a Christmas beer?
Now that you’ve learned that there’s a limited time to imbibe this epic beer style, it’s time to attempt to define it. Unlike some beer styles, there’s no official definition. It’s up to the brewer’s interpretation. In general, Christmas beers are higher in alcohol (between 8%-10% ABV).
They’re also stronger in malt presence and richer than warm-weather beers. Some learn on the sweeter side, others learn on the caramel malts, and others are warming and boozy. There are also a variety of flavors often associated with the style. This includes seasonal spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and allspice. It might also have Christmas flavors like fruitcake, candy-cane mint, chocolate, and other wintry desserts.
So, while you’ll have a general idea about what you’re about to sip when you crack open a Christmas beer, it’s important to take a close look at the ingredients or label.
The best Christmas beers
Now that you know a little about the appeal of Christmas beers this time of year, it’s time to find some to add to your refrigerator. Below, you’ll find our favorite seasonal beers that taste like Christmas in a can.
Revolution Fistmas
If you only try one beer on this list, make it the in-your-face seasonal brew Revolution Fistmas. Adorned cheekily with an image of Santa Claus hoisting a beer while he wears nothing but a beer barrel for clothing, Fistmas is a holiday red ale that’s flavored with orange peel and ginger. The result is a memorable 6.5% ABV seasonal beer featuring notes of candied orange peels, caramelized sugar, dried fruits, and bready malts.
Great Lakes Christmas Ale
There are very few Christmas beers more well-known than Great Lakes Christmas Ale. This 7.5% ABV seasonal favorite is flavored with honey, cinnamon, and ginger. The result is a balanced winter beer that features rich malts, honey, and gently warming spices. Sip it by the fireplace, and you’ll be transported to a winter wonderland wherever you live.
Deschutes Jubelale
With a name like Deschutes Jubelale, you should have a pretty good idea about what’s in store for you when you crack open this brew. This 6.7% ABV winter warmer is brewed with a variety of malts as well as Nugget, Cascade, Delta, East Kent Goldings, and Tettnang hops. The result is a memorable beer with flavors of roasted malts, wintry spices, chocolate, and sticky toffee pudding.
