{"title":"Christmas \u0026 winter beer","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChristmas beer is not a fixed style but a season. Many brewers make a winter beer that is darker, fuller or stronger than their regular beers, sometimes with spices. On this page you will find Christmas and winter beer, and read what sets Belgian Christmas beer, English winter warmer and the heavy winter styles apart.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWhat is Christmas beer?\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe BJCP style guidelines file Christmas beer under 30C Winter Seasonal Beer: stronger, darker and spiced, often with a rich body and a warming finish. Think cinnamon, nutmeg, clove or orange peel, with caramel and dried fruit. There is no fixed base style. Most are ales, although strong dark lagers exist too, and the alcohol is usually above 6%.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAccording to the BJCP, spices are a Belgian and American tradition. According to beer historian Roel Mulder, most Belgian Christmas beers are dark and strong, following the example of Scotch ale: in December 1896 two cafés in Charleroi were already advertising 'Christmas', probably imported Scotch ale. English and German brewers traditionally do not spice. The BJCP lists the English winter warmer as an example under 17A British Strong Ale. German Weihnachtsbiere are usually darker and maltier, and may be somewhat stronger.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWhich winter beer are you after?\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMalty and round:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003ca href=\"\/en\/collections\/bock\"\u003ebock\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/en\/collections\/doppelbock\"\u003edoppelbock\u003c\/a\u003e, with toasty malt; doppelbock with dark fruit too. Around 1980, Dutch bock only came onto the market on 6 December.\u003c\/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBelgian and fruity:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003ca href=\"\/en\/collections\/dubbel\"\u003edubbel\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"\/en\/collections\/quadrupel\"\u003equadrupel\u003c\/a\u003e, with caramel, raisin, plum and fig. Spices are not usual here; if you want cinnamon, choose a spiced Christmas beer.\u003c\/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBlack and heavy:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003ca href=\"\/en\/collections\/imperial-stout\"\u003eimperial stout\u003c\/a\u003e, with coffee, dark chocolate and dried fruit, usually 8–12%.\u003c\/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFor sipping:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003ca href=\"\/en\/collections\/barleywine\"\u003ebarleywine\u003c\/a\u003e. The BJCP calls the English version a 'wintertime sipper'; American barleywines are often linked to winter and often carry a vintage year.\u003c\/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWith wood:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003ca href=\"\/en\/collections\/barrel-aged\"\u003ebarrel aged\u003c\/a\u003e, often a strong stout or barleywine aged in a bourbon, whisky or rum barrel.\u003c\/li\u003e\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eServing, glass and keeping\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eGo by the underlying beer. Bock and doppelbock: 7–10 °C in a tulip glass. Dubbel and quad: 10–13 °C, also in a tulip glass. Imperial stout and barleywine: 10–13 °C in a snifter.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSome strong winter beers can be kept. According to the BJCP, imperial stout ages well, a quad often benefits from it and \u003ca href=\"\/en\/pages\/bierschool\/barleywine\"\u003ebarleywine\u003c\/a\u003e gets smoother over the years, sometimes sherry- or port-like. As a rule of thumb, CraftBeer.com considers beer from 8% suitable for keeping: cool and steady, dark, crown-capped bottles upright and corked bottles lying down. Hop aroma fades with age, so drink a hoppy winter beer fresh.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eChristmas beer as a gift\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eChoose a \u003ca href=\"\/en\/collections\/bierpakketten\"\u003ebeer box\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/en\/pages\/bierpakket-samenstellen\"\u003ebuild your own box\u003c\/a\u003e of 6, 12 or 24 beers. Not sure about their taste? Use the \u003ca href=\"\/en\/pages\/smaakwijzer\"\u003eTaste Finder\u003c\/a\u003e or give a \u003ca href=\"\/en\/products\/hoptimaal-cadeaubon\"\u003egift card\u003c\/a\u003e. More ideas are in the \u003ca href=\"\/en\/pages\/bier-cadeau\"\u003egift guide\u003c\/a\u003e. Sending it straight to the recipient? Enter their address as the delivery address. Order before 3 pm on a weekday and we ship the same day; free shipping in the Netherlands from €75. We only sell to people aged 18 and over.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2 class=\"hop-faq\"\u003eFrequently asked questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ch3\u003eIs Christmas beer always spiced?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eNo. The BJCP category calls for spices, but English and German winter beers are traditionally unspiced.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eWhich beer goes with Christmas dinner?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eCraftBeer.com pairs a quadrupel with roast duck and aged gouda, a doppelbock with pork or ham, and an English barleywine with Stilton and dark chocolate.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eWhen do the Christmas beers arrive?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eEach brewery decides that for itself. What we have now is on this page, with the current Untappd score next to every beer.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"hoevelaker-graangeluk-winter-wit","title":"Hoevelaker Graangeluk Winter Wit","description":"\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHoevelaker Graangeluk Winter Wit is a craft seasonal beer from the Hoevelaker brewery, brewed especially for the cold months. This winter witbier combines wheat malts with a subtle spiciness that gives a pleasant warmth without losing sight of the refreshing freshness. The beer has a soft mouthfeel and a light, manageable finish, which makes it well suited to relaxed moments at home. Ideal if you are looking for a clear witbier with character that sets seasonal variations apart from everyday versions. Perfect alongside cosy winter meals or an evening with friends.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Stadsbrouwerij Wageningen","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57033560981849,"sku":null,"price":10.95,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":false}]},{"product_id":"ter-dolen-ter-dolen-winter","title":"Ter Dolen Winter","description":"\u003cdiv\u003e\u003ch2\u003eOverview\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAt 9.1% ABV, this Winter Warmer ranks among the stronger beers in the Ter Dolen lineup, brewed specifically for the colder months.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eTasting Notes\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe elevated alcohol content brings a noticeably warming finish, characteristic of the Winter Warmer style. Specific aroma and flavor details haven't been provided by the brewery, so the glass itself holds the surprise.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eBrewery\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eTer Dolen operates from a small-scale castle brewery in De Dool, where the owner tastes every batch daily to safeguard quality.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eServing\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eServe at 10-12°C in a tulip glass, ideal for a cold winter evening or hearty winter fare.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Ter Dolen","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":59437692780889,"sku":null,"price":2.95,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0728\/0076\/4249\/files\/IMG_0589_processed.png?v=1789643333"},{"product_id":"whiplash-noel","title":"Whiplash Noël","description":"\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cp\u003eNoël from Whiplash is a quadrupel at 11% ABV, bottled in 440 ml. A strong beer made for slow sipping, with a name that points to the darker months of the year.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eQuadrupels are known for dark fruit, caramel and spicy yeast esters, with a full body and a warming finish. At 11%, expect that warmth here too. No specific tasting notes from the brewer were supplied, so the best way to find out what Noël does with the style is to pour one yourself.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eBrewery\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhiplash is a brewery from Ireland.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Whiplash","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":59770595246425,"sku":null,"price":6.5,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0728\/0076\/4249\/files\/IMG_0837_processed.png?v=1791470089"},{"product_id":"winterpakket-zware-stouts","title":"Winter Box: heavy stouts","description":"\u003cp\u003eSix heavy hitters for long winter evenings. Imperial stouts with coffee, coconut and chocolate, a stout from Estonia aged in cognac, whisky and Islay barrels, and a Christmas quad to finish. All beers for sipping slowly.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e6 beers. Bought separately, the beers cost €53.20 together; in the box you pay €46.95.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePõhjala Marble (Cellar Series)\u003c\/strong\u003e — full-bodied, roasted, slightly sweet, warming alcohol\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePühaste Moros - Cognac\/ Whisky\/ Islay BA (Silver Series)\u003c\/strong\u003e — full-bodied, smoky, sweet, plums, vanilla\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNeon Raptor Randomness\u003c\/strong\u003e — sweet, full-bodied, roasted, low bitterness\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMicrobrasserie Jackalhop Épisode 5\u003c\/strong\u003e — very sweet, roasted, full-bodied, warming\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePõhjala Cocobänger\u003c\/strong\u003e — coffee, coconut, slightly sweet, full-bodied\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWhiplash Noël\u003c\/strong\u003e — sweet, dark fruit, caramel, warm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003eTip: take them out of the fridge a quarter of an hour before pouring and use a tulip glass. These beers get better as they warm up.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Hoptimaal","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":59884976472409,"sku":null,"price":46.95,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0728\/0076\/4249\/files\/winterpakket-zware-stouts.png?v=1791914026"}],"url":"https:\/\/hoptimal.de\/en\/collections\/christmas-beer.oembed","provider":"Hoptimaal","version":"1.0","type":"link"}