1) Einstök Icelandic Doppelbock
Akureyri, Iceland | 6.7% ABV
Einstök’s winter seasonal is only available through the holiday season. Malted barley and chocolate tones define the traditional style, while the robust aroma and long, mellow finish make this the perfect companion for holiday adventures!
2) DESTIHL Privyet
Russian-Style Imperial Stout | 11.4% ABV
Normal, Illinois
Privyet, which is Russian for ‘hi’ or ‘hey’, is the base beer for DESTIHL’s award-winning, bourbon barrel-aged Dosvidanya®. Even though this beer isn’t aged in oak barrels, it greets you with a color as dark as night, a thick, tan head & characters of dark chocolate and roasted malts with abundant fruity esters. Generous hop additions balance the maltiness of this beer, along with a mouthfeel that is rich, creamy, full and smooth.
3) The Lost Abbey Gnoel de Abbey
Holiday Brown Ale | 8.5% ABV
San Marcos, California
The Lost Abbey’s holiday seasonal, Gnoel de Abbey is a winter warmer brewed to be lighter in body while maintaining nuanced notes of oak. Beginning with aromas of freshly brewed espresso, Gnoel has hints of cocoa, vanilla and holiday spice, finishing with a crisp coffee bitterness.
4) Delirium Noel
Belgian Dark Strong Ale | 10% ABV
Melle, Belgium
A Belgian Christmas classic, Delirium Noel is chestnut amber in color with a fine, white, creamy and lacing foam head. Complex aromas of caramel malt, fruit, spices and sweetness. A strong presence of alcohol, very spicy, slightly bitter. The aftertaste is sweet, spicy and slightly bitter.
5) Epic Big Bad Baptist
Imperial Stout | 11-12% ABV
Denver, Colorado
It’s BIG, it’s bad, it’s one of the best barrel-aged stouts in the World! This rich and roasty Imperial Stout is aged in flavorful Whiskey Barrels before copious amounts of artisanal coffee and real cacao nibs are added. When the weather turns cold, this big bad imperial stout is the obvious choice!
6) St. Bernardus Christmas Ale
Watou, Belgium
Similar to Abt 12, St. Bernardus Christmas Ale has the signature aroma of St. Bernardus’ house yeast strain and a beautiful brown hue. Rivaling the complexity of Abt 12, St. Bernardus Christmas Ale offers a spicy, mint-like flavor profile exuding the tastes of warming alcohol, fermented molasses, apricots, licorice, and marzipan that are highlighted by the perfect balance of brewing sugars.
7) Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout
Brooklyn, New York
This is the famous Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout. Brewed since 1994, Black Chocolate Stout has become a modern classic, heralded the world over. It achieves its dark chocolate aroma and flavor through the artful blending of six malts and three distinct mashes. This stout is the toast of the winter season in many countries, and there is nothing better to enjoy with chocolate desserts, cheesecake, ice cream, fine cheeses and roaring fireplaces.
8) Samichlaus Classic
Dopplebock | 14% ABV
Vorchdorf, Austria
Iconic Samichlaus is brewed only once a year on December 6th and aged for a full 10 months before bottling. Aroma and palate match step-for-step with light malty notes of vanilla, toffee, chocolate, oak – suggesting matured brandy in its character. At 14% ABV, this gem can be cellared for years to come, allowing its forceful flavor to grow in nuance and subtlety.
9) Port Brewing Santa’s Little Helper
Imperial Stout | 10% ABV
San Marcos, California
Santa’s Little Helper starts with an emphasis on dark cocoa and roasted coffee aromatics. The finish lends hints of sweet crystal malt, warming tones of alcohol and a touch of hops, making a perfect accompaniment to leftover fruit cake and sugar cookies.
10) Surly Darkness
Russian Imperial Stout | 12% ABV
Minneapolis, Minnesota
This massive Russian Imperial Stout contains waves of chocolate, coffee, cherry, raisin, and toffee, plus a non-traditional dose of aromatic hops. While maybe not a traditional holiday beer, this is one you’ll want to wrap up with on a cold winter’s night.
11) Gouden Carolus Christmas Ale
Strong Dark Ale | 10.5% ABV
Mechelen, Belgium
This strong, dark ruby red beer has notes of black licorice and an ABV of 10.5% ABV – making it among the strongest the brewery produces. Brewed in August, the beer rests a few months to reach an optimal balance. Three kinds of hops and six different kinds of spices define the rich taste of this Christmas beer that beer fans around the world enjoy.
12) Dupont Avec les Bons Voeux
Saison | 9.5% ABV
Tourpes, Belgium
Avec Les Bons Vœux is coppery blond and has very fine hop aromas combining bitter, fruity and mild tastes. A real re-fermentation in the bottle, which will continue for a long time in your cellar, result in a harmonious and well-balanced beer, full of unexpected and complex aromas. Since 1970, Brasserie Dupont has brewed this special beer to give as a new years gift to their clients. The name of this beer, “Avec les bons Vœux de la brasserie Dupont”, means “with the best wishes of the brewery Dupont”.