It’s the most wonderful time for a beer, and as the festivities approach, many brewers are producing special bottles and cans to celebrate the season
Christmas beers tend to go in one of two directions: brews that take their inspiration from Christmassy flavours and merry names such as Mince Pie Porter and Rudolph’s Red Ale, or those that go bold and special for the celebrations, like strong ales, barley wine or imperial stout, sometimes aged in wooden barrels.
Our modern Christmas beers likely originated in Belgium around 100 years ago, where there remains a strong custom for seasonal brews. Likewise, there’s a Scandinavian tradition for ‘Jul’ beers (that’s the origin of the word ‘Yule’) which are often spiced. In the UK, making ‘winter warmers’ for December evolved into the themed beers we see today, where some brewers seek to evoke the festive flavours that so many of us love, while others showcase the wonderful complexities of strong ales.
Beers released once a year are worth waiting for, and best shared with loved ones. Whether a jolly (and a little kitsch) Christmas-style ale, or a rich beer with wonderful depths, these are gifts to enjoy on colder nights, perhaps alongside a mince pie or a few chocolates from the selection box. markdredge.com
SOLSTICE SKOL!
The history of special beers for the end of the year actually pre-dates Christmas and goes all the way back to a Viking tradition of making strong brews for the winter solstice.
3 TO TRY
FULLER’S VINTAGE ALE 2022, ENGLAND, 8.5%
Flavours of dried fruit (berries, plums,
