The Christmas beer | Style overview

History

This article was previously published on the Főzőház site in Hungarian language.

The predecessors of todays Christmas beers have a long history. Before the Christian times in Europe, pagan tribes brew holiday beers for the celebration of solstice. These beers were usually darker in color and higher in alcohol.

In Scandinavia they brewed these beers for the celebration of Jolner. At this holiday the people celebrated the gods and their lost brethere’s, also it was expected that everybody brings drinks and food for the occasion. Later in the Christian Norway the brewing of Christmas beer was deemed a duty and was enshrined in law (Gulathing Laws). Violating this law would result in fines, which had to be paid to the Bishop. This tradition of brewing holiday beers has survived over the centuries on farms where even in the 1800s they made their own festive drinks. Nowadays the brewing companies took over this role and every year they release their holiday brews. These beers are called Julöl in Sweden, JuleØl in Norway and Julebrygg in Denmark.

In the British Isles, the Vikings introduced this custom and it became known as Yule Ale and later Christmas Ale. Over the years this beer become the today still popular Winter Warmer style, which is still enjoyed by many during the holidays.

We distinguish two main categories for these beers: the spicy and the non-spicy types. Unflavored types are closer to their traditional counterparts and are prevalent mainly in Scandinavia, the UK and Germany. Characteristic of the unflavored ones are: brown or semi-brown color, high alcohol content, full body. (More recently, NE-IPAs with pine resin marks have been listed as Christmas beers.)

Spicy beers are more common in the United States and Belgium. One of the best known examples of this style is Anchor Brewery Our Special Ale. This beer was originally brewed for fans in 1975, but has been brewed every year ever since, though the recipe changes every year.

Style

A stronger brown beer with added spices and adjuncts. Holiday spices predominate, such as ginger, nutmeg, cinnamon, and cloves, but this can vary from country to country. Typical ingredients are honey, brown sugar, molasses, orange and lemon peel. With regard to hops, traditional European types are typical, including English varieties. Generally, top fermented beers fall into this category, but there are also some bottom fermented examples too. It is recommended to use English or Belgian yeast or if you want to brew a lager, choose a neutral strain (like: many german strains). Do not use yeast that has the STA-1 gene because it will result in dry body. Most of the malt profile is typically made up of English base malts (pale ale, maris otter or golden promise), which are supplemented by 10% to 20% aroma malts. Roasted flavors are not desired, however dark chocolate flavors are accepted. It is important that spices and hops are in balance.

Recipe

Name Temperature (Metric) Temperature (US) Time (minute)
Mash In 68℃ 154.4℉ 60
Mash Out 75.6℃ 168.08℉ 10
Boil 100℃ 212℉ 30
Whirlpool 64℃ 147.2℉ 30
Name Weight (Metric) Weight (US) Percentage
Simpsons Maris Otter 4.5 kg 9.92 lb 76.9%
Simpsons Wheat Malt 0.4 kg 0.88 lb 6.8%
Dingenmans Biscuit Malt 0.4 kg 0.88 lb 6.8%
Cheteau Special B 0.2 kg 0.44 lb 3.4%
Simpsons Aromatic Malt 0.2 kg 0.44 lb 3.4%
Simpsons Chocholate Malt 0.15 kg 0.33 lb 2.6%
Name Weight (Metric) Weight (US) IBU Alpha Acid Time (minute)
Northern Brewer 34g 1.2 oz 24.2 8.5% 30
Fuggels 20g 0.71 oz 0.5 4.5% 30m Whirlpool at 64℃
Name Producer Type Style Dry Alternatives Liquid Alternatives
S-04 Fermentis Dry English Ale Any dried english yeast strain Any liquid english yeast strain
Strike Water (Metric) Strike Water (US) Sparge Water (Metric) Sparge Water (US) Ca Mg Na SO4 Cl HCO3
23.4L 6.18 gal 5.6L 1.48 gal 120 ppm 25 ppm 55 ppm 140 ppm 20 ppm 225 ppm
Name Weight (Metric) Weight (US) Time (minute)
Yeast Nutrient 1g 0.04 oz 15
L-Ascorbic Acid 3g 0.11 oz Strike Water before mash
Ground Cinnamon 15g 0.53 oz 10
Ground Ginger 15g 0.53 oz 10
Bitter Orange Peel 20g 0.71 oz 10
Honey 0.4kg 0.88 lb 1