For example, if you want to brew a beer reflecting the flavors of a sugar cookie you might start with a robust body ale, and then add sugar or possibly even a small amount of lactic acid or maple sugar to provide warmth and sweetness. Setting an objective for your holiday ale is important.

Two overriding principles serve as a useful guide: First – have an overarching theme/goal for your beer to aid in choosing ingredients and second – moderate your adjuncts. Since the spices and adjuncts use vary widely it is difficult to identify a single magic formula for the perfect winter ale. The key is to choose a beer that complements and does not distract from your choice of adjuncts. In contrast, fruit based winter beers often use a light wheat base and low hop rates so the flavor of the fruit will come through and be properly accented. These beers are often built on an American or Belgian base style US and Belgian brewers often use spices in regular brewing. For spiced beer it is often a moderately dark, alcoholic beer (often an Old Ale) that is well hopped and provides warmth, good body and some complexity of flavor to complement the cold weather and choice of spices. Brewing a Christmas/Winter BeerĪll winter beers start with the choice of a base beer. Because the base style can vary, holiday ales encompass a wide variety of original gravities, hop levels and color, though most holiday ales tend to be slightly higher in alcohol and warmer in body to reflect a warming drink for the cold winter season. For BJCP competition a base style should be declared as well as the spices and additions used. The beer itself is often strong, dark and has a rich body that warms the drinker and complements the spices. Flavorful sugars such as molasses, tracle, invert, brown sugar, maple, pumpkin and honey are also often used. Fruits are also popular including oranges, lemons, currants, and berries. Aromatics are particularly important for this style including aromatic hops, nutmeg, ginger, allspice, cloves, cinnamon, mulling spices, sugar, caramel, pudding, evergreen trees, cookies and aromas associated with holiday desserts. The style is closely tied to the flavors and aromas of the Christmas season. The new BJCP 2015 style guide includes category 30C (old category 21B) that defines the holiday/winter beer style. Often called a Christmas, Winter or Holiday beer, these beers often include spices such as nutmeg, sugars, mulling spices, ginger or cookie flavors. Spices, fruits and hop additions can all be combined to brew the perfect holiday ale or lager. Follow the holiday season approaching, its a great opportunity to experiment with a festive beer.

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