During the winter and Christmas period, breweries offer a special, time-limited beer that differs from 'normal' beers not only in taste, but also in its wintry design.
Of course, a Christmas beer can still be drunk in February, and a winter beer can be drunk even if there is no snow. What all these beers have in common is that they are not beers available all year round with a Christmas label, but specialities brewed especially for the occasion.
The history of winter beer
Brewing speciality beers for the festive season has a long tradition dating back to the Vikings. Back then, the Vikings brewed beer in honour of the winter solstice. However, this custom was introduced here in a modified form. So it's not just in Scandinavia that you'll find numerous Christmas beers, some of which contain Christmas ingredients such as orange, cinnamon, aniseed, cloves, cardamom, cocoa or vanilla. In Belgium, too, there are a host of seasonal brewing specialities for this festive occasion.
In Denmark, the Christmas beer tradition of the Tuborg brewery, which has been releasing its "Julebryg" at the beginning of November for just seven weeks since 1981, has given rise to an unofficial public holiday on which "brewery messengers" visit some 400 inns on 50 routes to bring people Christmas beer - who are, of course, very happy!
Which winter beer will be your Christmas beer?
We've tested 55 Christmas beers and put them together for you - book now, as production is unique and limited.
There are almost no limits to brewers' winter creativity, as breweries large and small demonstrate on a regular basis. However, there are differences in the understanding of a seasonal speciality. Some winter beers, especially those from the big national breweries, are available as early as the beginning of October. Smaller regional breweries traditionally do not launch their winter specialities until November, as was the case in the past. As the beers keep well and go fast, it's worth being quick (whether in October or November) and enjoying every bottle until spring.
Want to find out which winter beer is your perfect Christmas beer?
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