8 Festive Christmas Beers To Try This Holiday Season

The holiday season is upon us, and with it comes the opportunity to indulge in some of the world's most delicious and festive Christmas beers. From sweet and spicy to malty and hoppy, there's a Christmas beer out there for every palate. In this article, we'll explore eight festive Christmas beers to try this holiday season, so grab a glass and let's get started!

What Makes a Christmas Beer?

Before we dive into our list of festive Christmas beers, let's explore what makes a Christmas beer, well, a Christmas beer. Generally speaking, Christmas beers are seasonal brews that are released during the winter months and are often characterized by their use of spices, sweet flavors, and warming ingredients like cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger. They can range in style from sweet and malty to hoppy and bitter, but they're often united by their festive and warming qualities.

Traditional Christmas Beer Styles

There are several traditional Christmas beer styles that are popular around the world. Some of the most well-known include:

• Belgian Quadrupels: These strong, dark ales are brewed with a variety of spices and are often aged in oak barrels to give them a rich, complex flavor.
• German Weihnachtsbiers: These Christmas beers are typically brewed with a combination of malts and hops and are often flavored with spices like cinnamon and nutmeg.
• English Winter Warmers: These beers are brewed to warm the cockles of your heart during the cold winter months and are often flavored with spices like ginger and cloves.

8 Festive Christmas Beers to Try This Holiday Season

Now that we've explored what makes a Christmas beer, let's dive into our list of eight festive Christmas beers to try this holiday season.

1. Avery Brewing Company - Old Jubilation Ale

Avery Brewing Company's Old Jubilation Ale is a classic Christmas beer that's brewed with a combination of malts and hops and is flavored with spices like cinnamon and nutmeg. This beer is perfect for sipping on a cold winter's night and is sure to put you in the holiday spirit.

2. Sierra Nevada Brewing Company - Celebration Ale

Sierra Nevada Brewing Company's Celebration Ale is a hoppy Christmas beer that's brewed with a combination of malts and hops and is flavored with spices like citrus and pine. This beer is perfect for hopheads who want to get into the holiday spirit.

3. New Belgium Brewing Company - Frambozen

New Belgium Brewing Company's Frambozen is a sweet and fruity Christmas beer that's brewed with raspberries and is flavored with spices like vanilla and cinnamon. This beer is perfect for those who prefer a sweeter, more fruit-forward Christmas beer.

4. Boulevard Brewing Company - Snow & Tell

Boulevard Brewing Company's Snow & Tell is a sweet and malty Christmas beer that's brewed with a combination of malts and hops and is flavored with spices like cinnamon and nutmeg. This beer is perfect for those who prefer a more traditional, malty Christmas beer.

5. Firestone Walker Brewing Company - Velvet Merkin

Firestone Walker Brewing Company's Velvet Merkin is a rich and complex Christmas beer that's brewed with a combination of malts and hops and is flavored with spices like oak and vanilla. This beer is perfect for those who prefer a more complex, nuanced Christmas beer.

6. Great Lakes Brewing Company - Christmas Ale

Great Lakes Brewing Company's Christmas Ale is a sweet and spicy Christmas beer that's brewed with a combination of malts and hops and is flavored with spices like cinnamon and ginger. This beer is perfect for those who prefer a more traditional, sweet Christmas beer.

7. Breckenridge Brewery - Christmas Ale

Breckenridge Brewery's Christmas Ale is a malty and hoppy Christmas beer that's brewed with a combination of malts and hops and is flavored with spices like cinnamon and nutmeg. This beer is perfect for those who prefer a more balanced, easy-drinking Christmas beer.

8. Deschutes Brewery - Jubelale

Deschutes Brewery's Jubelale is a sweet and spicy Christmas beer that's brewed with a combination of malts and hops and is flavored with spices like cinnamon and ginger. This beer is perfect for those who prefer a more traditional, sweet Christmas beer.

Conclusion: Get Festive with These Christmas Beers!

There you have it - eight festive Christmas beers to try this holiday season. Whether you prefer a sweet and spicy beer or a hoppy and bitter one, there's something on this list for everyone. So grab a glass, gather your friends and family, and get festive with these delicious Christmas beers!