Christmas and Beer – An Unexpected Love Affair

Forget everything you know! Well, not entirely, but at least forget for a moment the notion that beer is exclusively connected with summer, beaches, and icy Lagers. Why? Because, beer has its winter charm too—a charm so warm, so rich, and so aromatic that it is capable of transforming a frozen night into a festively decorated and cozy evening full of warmth.

As the first fairy lights turn on in the neighbourhoods and the scent of cinnamon wafts through the air, breweries around the world are preparing their secret weapon: Christmas Beers, or, as they are more widely known, Winter Ales. These commemorative releases are not just simple beers. They are liquid, festive masterpieces, crafted to remind you of Christmas with every sip. It’s time to put beer at the centre of the holiday table and discover why it is the ultimate winter drink.

Get ready for a flavourful journey that will warm your heart!

Winter Ales – The Warmth of Winter in a Glass

But what exactly are these mysterious Winter Ales? Are they just a marketing label? Not exactly. The term “Christmas Beer” or “Winter Ale” is an umbrella that covers various styles, which share common characteristics that evoke all the holiday sweets.

The History: From Yule to the Global Market

The tradition of winter brewing is not new. Its roots lie in the ancient Scandinavian tradition of Yule (winter solstice), where a strong, warm drink (jól or jul) was brewed to honour the gods and celebrate the sun’s return. With the advent of Christianity, this tradition was integrated into Christmas celebrations, with churches and later breweries crafting strong beers for the holiday period.

Their Characteristics

These beers are almost always the opposite of cool summer Lagers:

Dark Colour & Full Body: They are typically dark, ranging from deep ruby-amber (Amber) to black (Stout or Porter). This is due to the use of roasted malts, which impart notes of coffee, chocolate, caramel, or even burnt sugar. The mouthfeel is rich and full, perfect for embracing the palate.
High Alcohol (>6% ABV): Winter Ales are generally strong. The sensation of high alcohol, which often exceeds 6% ABV and easily reaches 8-10%, offers an extra warmth in the mouth and throat—a feeling that is a perfect match for the cold.
Malty Character & Sweetness: The beer’s base is intensely malty. The sweetness comes not only from special malts but is often enhanced by the addition of honey, molasses, maple syrup, or other sugars added during fermentation.
Unexpected Aromas: This is the most fun part! Their aroma intensely reminds one of Christmas sweets, such as melomakarona, gingerbread, biscuits, and English Christmas pudding. The beer transforms into a liquid dessert.

The Magic of Ingredients: It’s All About the Spices

Where summer beers rely on hops for bitterness and freshness, Winter Ales rely on spices.

The leading trio: Cinnamon, Clove, Nutmeg. These three spices are the soul of every Christmas Beer, imparting the ultimate festive feeling.
The “fruity” surprises: We often find flavours of citrus zest (orange, mandarin) and dried fruits (raisins, plums), which harmonize with the malty base and remind us of traditional Christmas cakes.
The hops as a guest star: Hop aromas usually recede, but sometimes they add a spicy note (e.g., from so-called “noble” hops) that complements the spices.
Balance is the key: The brewer must be a magician! The added ingredients must complement the base beer and not overwhelm it. Each ingredient must be distinct, but all together must blend harmoniously, creating the ideal festive result.

The Pairing Game – Matching Winter Ale with Holiday Dishes

They say the best beer is the one you drink by the fireplace. We say the best beer is the one that pairs perfectly with your holiday table. Winter Ales, due to their rich body and sweet, spicy complexity, are ideal for pairing.

With Main Courses (Turkey, Roasts, Pork):

Styles: Strong Ales, Spiced Amber Ales, Dubbel.
Why it Works: The malty sweetness of the beer and the high alcohol balance the saltiness and fat of the roasts. Spices like clove perfectly resonate with the aromatics of the stuffing and sauces.

With Chocolate Sweets & Puddings:

Styles: Imperial Stouts, Porters with coffee/chocolate notes.
Why it Works: This is the ultimate dessert pairing. The roasted notes of the Stout complement the chocolate, while the sweetness of the beer, combined with the taste of the dessert, acts as the perfect match.

With Melomakarona & Gingerbread:

Styles: Belgian Christmas Ales (rich, with cinnamon/coriander).
Why it Works: The spices in the beer (cinnamon, clove, honey) mimic the ingredients of the sweets, creating an endless chain of flavour. A beer with ginger notes next to a gingerbread cookie is a magical pairing.

With Cheeses:

Styles: Old Ales or Barleywines (for aged, pungent cheeses).
Why it Works: The strength and complexity of the strong winter styles can stand up to intense cheeses, balancing the fatty element and highlighting the spicy notes of the cheese.

A Flavourful Journey through Global Christmas Traditions

Beer is not just a drink. It is a culture that plays a significant role in the Christmas traditions of every country, proving that the spirit of Christmas is drunk from different glasses!

Germany: Weihnachtsbier and Glühbier

In Germany, the land of beer, Christmas is no exception.

Weihnachtsbier (Christmas Beer): This is the umbrella term for seasonal, usually darker and stronger beers. They are enriched with notes of cinnamon, clove, and orange zest. Their consumption is essential at the legendary Christmas Markets (Christkindlmarkt), where the festive atmosphere culminates.
Glühbier (Hot Beer): Yes, you read that right! Similar to Glühwein (mulled wine), Glühbier is a warm, spice-infused beer, perfect for keeping you warm as you wander through the frozen market.

United Kingdom: Christmas Ales & Pub Culture

The United Kingdom has a long tradition of strong beers (Strong Ales and Porters) during Christmas.

Strong Ales & Porters: Many British breweries release limited edition “Christmas Beers.” These tend to be high in alcohol, with intense flavours of caramel, malt, and dried fruits.
Christmas Pubs: Pubs are decorated with full formality and host special events, combining festive beer with traditional roasts (such as turkey), keeping the pub atmosphere intact even in the dead of winter.

Belgium: The Art of Complexity

Belgium, the land of complex flavours, could not be absent.

Belgian Christmas Beers: They are rich, strong Strong Ales, often flavoured with coriander, cinnamon, and citrus zest. Styles like Dubbel and Tripel, which inherently have malt sweetness and high alcohol, provide the ideal base to bring the consumer into the Christmas spirit.
Saint Nicholas (Sinterklaas): The Belgian beer culture is so deeply rooted that families often offer a glass of local beer, such as a Trappist, to Saint Nicholas (Sinterklaas) when he comes to distribute gifts on December 6th.

Netherlands & Czech Republic: From Kerstbier to Christmas Pint

Netherlands (Kerstbier): The Dutch enjoy Kerstbier, usually strong ales enriched with honey, fruit, or cinnamon, at family tables or in pubs. Also, the celebration of Sinterklaas on December 6th is often an occasion for beer to take centre stage.
Czech Republic (Christmas Pint): In the Czech Republic, the “homeland” of Pilsner, residents choose a variety of traditional and stronger festive beers. In some regions, it is customary to serve a “Christmas Pint” to everyone at the holiday table, which is paired with dishes such as fish or roast pork.

Denmark & Sweden: Julebryg & Julöl

Julebryg (Denmark) & Julöl (Sweden): These “Christmas Beers” are traditionally dark, malty, and full of spicy and fruity notes (clove, cinnamon, orange zest). In Denmark, they pair ideally with the traditional open sandwich, the Smørrebrød, while in Sweden they accompany ham and meatballs. The toast “Skål!” (To your health!) brings people together around the holiday table.

United States: The Craft Explosion

In the US, craft breweries have embraced Christmas Beers with enthusiasm, creating dozens of limited-quantity beers every year, sometimes much more experimental (e.g., beers with ginger, nutmeg, or even eggnog flavour). Americans now enthusiastically pair rich Stouts and Porters with Christmas sweets, elevating beer to a serious alternative to wine.

Counterbalance to Coziness – The Refreshing Note of Pilsner

While Winter Ales wrap us in warmth, it is important to remember that the Christmas table is full of intensity: fatty roasts, rich sauces, heavy sweets. It is precisely here that the Pilsner comes in to play the role of refreshment and balance.

The most cool and light turn in the menu: after the roast pork or before the chocolate cake, you need something that will cleanse and refresh the palate. An exquisite Pilsner, with its crisp character, its subtle bitterness, and its light, cool sensation, acts as the perfect palate cleanser. It is the ideal counterbalance that allows the palate to equally enjoy the next sip of beer or the next bite of food.

The beer is not just a summer drink. Winter Ales constitute a distinct category: they are rich, aromatic, strong, and full of character, designed to offer us warmth on the coldest nights of the year. However, variety and balance are the key to the perfect holiday table.

Whether you choose the warmth of a Strong Ale, or a refreshing, high-quality Pilsner like the Lazy Mules from White Town Brewery to cleanse your palate, remember that in every corner of the world, beer plays a beloved and festive role. It pairs with rich meals, stands beside the fireplace, and takes centre stage in every welcoming gathering, and above all, it brings people together.

So, why wait until the last minute? Visit our eshop now to enrich your own Christmas table or to give the perfect gift to friends who love quality flavours.

Skål! To the health of tradition, warmth, and celebration! Merry Christmas!