The Best Beers for Christmas: Dark, Spiced & Perfectly Festive

Whether you are hosting a holiday dinner, unwrapping gifts by the fire, or settling in for a quiet night, the right beer makes Christmas cozier. Winter styles lean richer, spicier, and bolder—built for cold weather and big flavors.

Use this guide to pick the best beer styles for the season, plus simple pairing tips that pull the table together.

Winter Warmers & Spiced Ales

Style: Winter Warmer / Christmas Ale / Spiced Ale
Flavor profile: Malt-forward, medium to strong, often with cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, or orange peel

Brewed for the holidays, these beers bring gentle heat and baking-spice depth. They match everything from cookies to glazed ham. We also have an in-depth blog on our favorite wheat beers for cold weather if you don't want spice.

Try: Great Lakes Christmas Ale; Anchor Christmas Ale (annual recipe); St. Bernardus Christmas Ale
Pair with: Glazed ham, gingersnaps, pecan pie
Serve at: 50–55°F in a tulip or nonic

Dark Ales, Porters & Imperial Stouts

Style: Robust Porter / Imperial Stout / Baltic Porter
Flavor profile: Chocolate, coffee, roast, dark fruit; sometimes barrel-aged or lightly spiced

Looking for dessert in a glass? Big stouts and porters shine in winter, especially with vanilla, peppermint, or bourbon notes. Learn the difference between a stout and a porter.

Try: Deschutes Black Butte Porter; North Coast Old Rasputin; Hardywood Gingerbread Stout
Pair with: Chocolate yule log, roasted chestnuts, late-night gift wrapping
Serve at: 52–58°F; share bottles so everyone can sample

Belgian Dubbels & Dark Strong Ales

Style: Belgian Dubbel / Quad / Dark Strong Ale
Flavor profile: Raisin, plum, fig, toffee; warm spice from Belgian yeast

These read like Christmas on their own. Layered dried fruit and caramel make them naturals with rich mains and classic desserts.

Try: Chimay Blue; Rochefort 8 or 10; Delirium Noël
Pair with: Roast lamb, sticky toffee pudding, soft cheese boards
Serve at: 50–55°F in a goblet

Festbier & Dunkel for the Feast

Style: German Dunkel / Festbier / Vienna Lager
Flavor profile: Toasty, bready malt; smooth, clean finish

Not every holiday beer needs high ABV or spice. These lagers bring balance and drinkability to big meals.

Try: Ayinger Celebrator Doppelbock; Hacker-Pschorr Dunkel; Samuel Adams Winter Lager
Pair with: Stuffing, roast poultry, mashed potatoes
Serve at: 45–50°F in a willi or mug

🎄 Bonus: Spiced Sours & Holiday Specials

Cranberry lambics, gingerbread sours, and barrel-aged wild ales add a bright, festive twist. Pour in Champagne flutes as a pre-dinner welcome.

Try: Lindemans Cranberry Lambic; Prairie Christmas Bomb!
Pair with: Brie and cranberry bites, glazed duck, or as an aperitif
Serve at: 45–50°F

Final Sip: Match the Beer to the Moment

The best Christmas beer is the one that fits your table and your mood. Go bold and dark, lean spiced and warming, or keep it clean and malty. And if you are a homebrewer, this is the season to open that bottle you cellared last year—holiday beers age beautifully.

Need more pairing tips or brewing ideas? Visit our Brews & Reviews blog collection for seasonal beer guides.