Whatever you think about Christmas, you’ve got to agree that it’s among mankind’s greatest, most enduring tradition. Yes, it’s over-commercialized, and most of the world doesn’t even celebrate it, but, you’ve gotta give props to any institution that’s been around for 2,000 years—especially one that comes with so much good craft beer.
Now, some will protest: “Ah, Christmas beer—a blatant commercialization of a sacred, family tradition just to sell more suds.” Indeed, for years after Prohibition, breweries were generally prohibited from using Christmas, especially jolly, old St. Nicholas, to advertise their brands. In 2006, the state of Maine grumbled “Bah, humbug!” to a brand whose label depicted Santa Claus, and declared it “undignified and improper.” But in fact, beer has always been a part of Christmas.
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Before Prohibition, German immigrants brewed special, dark lagers for the holiday. Before that, the English served homemade wassail (spiced ale) to Dickensian carolers singing “O Little Town of Bethlehem.” In the Middle Ages, observant monks brewed their finest, strongest beer to mark the birth of Christ. Around 900 AD, as Norwegians converted to Christianity, they brought along their smoky Viking Jul (Yule) ale. At the risk of finding coal in my stocking, I’d argue that Christmas beer is older than Christmas itself.
Whether the date is divine or not, the traditions surrounding the holidays—gift giving, feasting and, yes, beer drinking—has evolved into the celebrations of Christmas. Which is why I say Christmas beer is not a style, it’s a tradition. It needn’t be spicy or strong, sweet or dark; it need only be special, a gift to be shared in the spirit of the holiday with family and friends.
Everyone has a favorite craft beer of the season. Here are the 12 beers of Christmas that are jingling my bells this year.
1. Christmas Ale | Bell’s Brewery | Kalamazoo, MI
The 2017 version of Bell’s Christmas Ale is a scotch ale, which brings your senses rich, warm, malty notes along with smooth caramel. The brewery says Christmas Ale has a shelf life of six months, so if you see a sixer even after you’re taken down the tree, grab yourself one — you’ll be able to carry the holiday spirit right into spring.
2. Mad Elf | Tröegs Brewing Co. | Hershey, PA
Mad Elf is an East Coast cult favorite, that annually sells out, and at 11 percent alcohol content, gives everyone a nice, shiny red nose. But it’s not all about strength. This flavorful Belgian-style ale is flavored with cherries and honey, and its distinctive yeast strain provides a tingly snap to the palate.
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3. Christmas Beer | Great Lakes Brewing Co. | Cleveland, OH
The Midwest version of Mad Elf, this honey ale draws raves from similarly impassioned fans who count down the days till its annual release. Though it’s considerably lighter (7.5 percent ABV) than the Elf, it has a nice, spicy kick thanks to the addition of fresh ginger and cinnamon.
4. Celebration | Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. | Chico, CA
This beer continues to dazzle the hophead in me, even in an age of double and triple IPAs. The aroma of its Cascade and Centennial hops just explodes from a billowing head above its copper-colored body. It’s as bright and fresh as a decorated tree on Christmas Eve.
5. Jewbelation | He’Brew The Chosen Beer | Clifton Park, NY
Jewbelation is brewed yearly to celebrate the brewery’s anniversary. The 2017 iteration, Jewbelation 21, is a 12.1% ABV Dark American Strong Ale brewed with 10 malts and 11 hop varieties.
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6. St. Nikolaus Bock Bier | Penn Brewery | Pittsburgh, PA
A 2011 GABF medalist, this doppelbock has a full, luscious body. Though named after the fourth-century patron saint of Christmas, that’s actually American illustrator Thomas Nast’s 19th-century portrait of Santa Claus on the label.
7. 2XMAS | Southern Tier Brewing Co. | Lakewood, NY
Southern Tier’s new holiday ale for 2012 was made in the tradition of Sweden glögg. Though it’s brewed with figs, orange peel and spices, it’s not one of those over-bearing Red Zinger-like tea mixes. Its body is rich and creamy, not unlike the brewery’s highly-regarded autumn seasonal, Pumking. 
8. Santa’s Little Helper | Port Brewing Co. | San Marcos, CA
At 10 percent alcohol, this rich, chocolate-like Russian imperial stout seems like it oughta be dessert–on draft, however, it’s easy-drinking. Sometimes it’s fun being a little bit naughty.
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9. Feest Noel | 3 Taverns Craft Beers | Atlanta
3 Taverns’ Feest Noel is a Belgian-style quadrupel with Belgian dark candy sugar and spices. This spiced Christmas ale comes in at a solid 10 percent ABV, helping ease the stress of holiday shopping or awkward holiday parties.
10. 8 Maids-a-Milking | The Bruery | Orange County, CA
The Bruery would “be udderly crazy to release anything but a milk stout. So we made an imperial milk stout to stand up to whatever Old Man Winter throws our way from now through 2019.
11. Santa’s Private Reserve | Rogue Ales | Newport, OR
This always strikes me as an unusual ale for the holidays, and not just because it’s so distinctively hoppy. It’s the label’s raised clenched fist that throws me – a very un-Santa-like pose.
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12. Winter Solstice | Anderson Valley Brewing Co. | Boonville, CA
A nod to the true roots of the holiday season, though I highly doubt the Druids of 200 B.C. were enjoying ales flavored with vanilla. This is an exceptionally creamy winter warmer.
Editor’s Note: This article was updated in Dec. 2017.
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