The holiday season is fast approaching, and everyone is making their lists of the top beers to drink this year. Many people are curious about what types of beer will be on shelves in 2021, so we put together a list to help you out! If you’re looking for new options, these could be your subsequent favorite holiday brews.
Holiday beers are typically a little bit heavier and higher in alcohol content than your average beer. It’s because they are meant to be enjoyed during the colder months when you want something that will warm you up from the inside out. There are all sorts of different types of holiday beers, so you’re sure to find one that suits your taste.
Samuel Adams Winter Lager
The Samuel Adams Winter Lager is a rich and full-bodied lager that tastes incredible with holiday foods. It has caramel, vanilla, and spices hints to give it a more festive flavor. The beer is brewed with five different types of malt for a full-bodied taste that will keep you coming back for more.
It’s one beer you don’t want to miss this year! It pairs well with holiday foods like roasted turkey, ham, and roast beef! It’s also great to drink by itself as an appetizer or after-dinner beverage. Many people love it on Christmas morning because there are hints of vanilla in the flavor profile that go perfectly with family-time traditions like opening presents and eating cinnamon rolls.
Yuengling Traditional Lager
The Yuengling Traditional Lager is a classic holiday beer that has been around for over 150 years. It has the traditional flavors you’d expect to see in this type of brew, including hints of caramel and roasted malt. The taste will remind you of drinking by an open fire or inside at your family cabin on Christmas Eve.
It pairs well with all sorts of food! Some people love it with their favorite gingerbread cookies, while others like pairing it with ham during dinner time. You could even drink it instead of eggnog if you want something different than the typical pumpkin spice drinks everyone else enjoys this time of year! It also goes great when paired up against some warm apple cider donuts, and just they’ve come out hot from the oven.
Blue Moon Belgian White Ale
The Blue Moon Belgian White Ale is a light and refreshing wheat beer perfect for the holidays. It has a sweet orange flavor that gives it a unique taste that you can’t find anywhere else. The beer is brewed with orange peel and coriander, which are two spices typically used during the winter months to give food a little extra flavor.
This beer is great for everyone! It’s perfect for people who don’t like darker beers because it has very light coloration so that anyone can enjoy it. This gem also pairs well with all types of holiday foods, including fruit cake, gingerbread cookies, and pumpkin pie. You name it!
There isn’t anything this brew doesn’t go well with or complement when paired together on your holiday table at home. If you’re not sure what type of beer to get someone as part of their gift set this year, look no further than this classic holiday beer.
Harpoon Brewery UFO Gingerbread Stout
The Harpoon Brewery UFO Gingerbread Stout is delicious milk brewed with ginger and molasses. The taste will remind you of drinking a cold glass of chocolate milk on Christmas morning as a kid, but this version has an adult twist to it! This beer is full-bodied, so there’s no way you can drink just one serving.
This holiday brew goes great with the more traditional holiday foods like dinner rolls or turkey at Thanksgiving and cookies during Christmas. You get the idea. It also pairs well with things that aren’t necessarily typical for this type of beer, such as grilled cheese sandwiches and macaroni and cheese dishes from your favorite local diner around town.
There are endless possibilities for food pairings because it’s such a unique and versatile flavor profile. If you’re looking for something different to drink this year, the Harpoon Brewery UFO Gingerbread Stout is your go-to!
Nutcracker Ale by the Sierra Nevada
This winter warmer is perfect for the holidays. Brewed in Chico, California, Nutcracker Ale is a winter warmer first released in 1995. This beer is made with Christmas spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger, and it has a malty flavor that will remind you of all your favorite holiday treats. If you’re looking for something to warm you up this winter, look no further than Nutcracker Ale.
If you’re looking for something with a little more kick, try out their Celebration ale! This beer is an IPA that has won multiple awards at the Great American Beer Festival and World Beer Cup. It’s sure to be one of your new favorite holiday beers in 2021.
Christmas Ale by Bell’s Brewery
Christmas ale is a holiday favorite in Kalamazoo, Michigan. This beer has received many awards for its unique taste. If you’re looking for something festive but different than your usual holiday beers, check out Christmas Ales from Bell’s Brewery! Christmas ale pours a deep amber color, and it has spices such as orange peel and ginger that add to the uniqueness of its flavor profile.
I love these specific beers because of their labels around the holidays. They bring back memories when they decorate them with ornaments and trees, so be sure to keep an eye out on what kind of design yours comes with if you want to try one!
Old Fezziwig by Harpoon Brewery
If you’re looking for something different than all those other light beers this year, be sure to pick up some Old Fezziwig from Harpoon Brewery! This darker ale is a winter warmer that’s perfect for the holidays. Old Fezziwig has dark fruit and toffee flavors, which give it a delicious twist on your typical holiday brews. Many people who have tried these say they are their favorite new type of beer, so definitely check them out if you haven’t yet!
Winter ales tend to focus more heavily on spices rather than hops or malt profiles, making them unique compared to other types of craft beers. If you’ve never had one, we highly recommend you try one out this holiday season to get in the spirit of things!
YuleSmith by Stone Brewing
If you’re looking for something new this year, be sure to check out YuleSmith from Stone Brewing! Brewed in Escondido, California, YuleSmith is a winter warmer that’s perfect for the holidays. This beer has a malt profile that gives it notes of toffee and caramel, while the hops give it a slightly bitter flavor. It’s also brewed with spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, making it the perfect holiday brew.
Final Words
As you can see, there are plenty of different types of winter ales with their unique flavors and characteristics, so it’s just a matter of what your personal preferences are when deciding which one is right for you. We hope you enjoy trying some of these out this year and that they help get you into the holiday spirit!