Nothing says “Merry Christmas” quite like cracking open a frosty American craft beer brewed just for the holidays! From coast to coast, U.S. brewers unleash seasonal magic with spiced winter warmers bursting with cinnamon, ginger, and honey—like the legendary Great Lakes Christmas Ale from Ohio—or hoppy rebels such as Sierra Nevada’s Celebration IPA, delivering piney freshness without a single nutmeg in sight. Whether you’re toasting with Tröegs Mad Elf’s cherry-honey buzz in Pennsylvania, sipping Deschutes Jubelale’s malty coziness in Oregon, or diving into bold barrel-aged gems, these festive brews turn any holiday gathering into a jolly celebration. Grab ’em fresh while they last—cheers to the most wonderful (and boozy) time of the year! Top 12 Christmas Beers of 2025.
The 12 Beers of Christmas
1. Great Lakes Brewing Co. Christmas Ale (Cleveland, OH)
From the pioneering craft brewery Great Lakes Brewing Co. in Cleveland, Ohio—Ohio’s first brewpub established in 1988—this iconic winter warmer is a full-bodied ale at 7.5% ABV, bursting with fresh honey, cinnamon, and ginger for a festive, spiced profile that’s become the gold standard for American Christmas beers, perfect for wassailing through the holidays.
Address: 2516 Market Ave, Cleveland, OH 44113
Website: https://www.greatlakesbrewing.com
2. Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale (Chico, CA)
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., founded in Chico, California, in 1980 and a cornerstone of the American craft beer revolution, crafts this fresh-hop IPA at 6.8% ABV using freshly picked hops rushed from the fields, delivering bold citrus, pine, and grapefruit notes balanced by rich caramel malt—a crisp, hop-forward holiday classic that defies spiced traditions.
Address: 1075 E 20th St, Chico, CA 95928
Website: https://sierranevada.com
3. Tröegs Mad Elf (Hershey, PA)
Tröegs Independent Brewing, based in Hershey, Pennsylvania, and known for innovative craft beers since 1997, brews this legendary Belgian-style strong ale at 11% ABV with a ruby glow from five varieties of tree-ripened cherries, Pennsylvania honey, chocolate malt, and spicy yeast notes of cinnamon, clove, and allspice—a mischievous, dangerously drinkable holiday treat.
Address: 200 Hersheypark Dr, Hershey, PA 17033
Website: https://troegs.com
4. Deschutes Jubelale (Bend, OR)
Deschutes Brewery in Bend, Oregon, a Pacific Northwest powerhouse since 1988, releases this festive English-style winter warmer at 6.7% ABV with a deep garnet hue, robust malt character, hints of toffee, dusted cocoa, and subtle spices, featuring annual artist-designed labels that make each year’s Jubelale a collectible cozy companion for the season.
Address: 901 SW Simpson Ave, Bend, OR 97702
Website: https://www.deschutesbrewery.com
5. Bell’s Christmas Ale (Comstock, MI)
Bell’s Brewery, an independent Michigan favorite from Comstock (with roots in Kalamazoo), specializes in malt-forward beers and offers this traditional Scotch Ale at 7.5% ABV, rich with caramel and toffee notes, a warm finish, and no added spices—focusing purely on hearty malt for a smooth, approachable holiday sipper ideal for gatherings.
Address: 8938 Krum Ave, Comstock, MI 49053
Website: https://www.bellsbeer.com
6. Samuel Adams Old Fezziwig (Boston, MA)
From the Boston Beer Company, makers of Samuel Adams in Boston, Massachusetts, this spiced winter warmer at around 5.9% ABV draws inspiration from the jolly Dickens character, blending cinnamon, ginger, and orange peel with caramel and toffee malts for a bold, nostalgic “Christmas cookie” of a beer that’s festive and full-bodied.
Address: 30 Germania St, Boston, MA 02130
Website: https://www.samueladams.com
7. Revolution Fistmas (Chicago, IL)
Revolution Brewing, Chicago’s largest independent craft brewery, steeps this holiday red ale at 6.5% ABV with ginger root and orange peel, using specialty malts for a deep red hue and aromas of fresh-baked bread, caramel, and stone fruits—a fun, approachable Midwest favorite brimming with seasonal cheer.
Address: 3340 N Kedzie Ave, Chicago, IL 60618
Website: https://revbrew.com
Fat Head’s Holly Jolly (Middleburg Heights, OH)
Fat Head’s Brewery & Saloon, a bold Ohio craft staple headquartered in Middleburg Heights, brews this spiced amber ale at 7.5% ABV with sweet malt, local honey, ginger, and cinnamon for a smooth, medium-bodied taste of the season—inspired by a jolly tale, it’s perfect for fireside sipping and holiday inspiration.
Address: 17450 Engle Lake Dr, Middleburg Heights, OH 44130
Website: https://fatheads.com
8. 12 Dogs of Christmas Ale – Thirsty Dog Brewing (Akron, OH)
Thirsty Dog Brewing Company in Akron, Ohio, crafts this beloved holiday ale at 8.3% ABV, spiced with honey, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and a touch of Santa’s secret recipe for a malty, warmly festive profile that’s become an Ohio tradition for celebrating the 12 days with canine-inspired cheer.
Address: 529 Grant St, Akron, OH 44311
Website: https://thirstydog.com
9. Victory Merry Monkey Ale (Downingtown, PA)
Victory Brewing Company in Downingtown, Pennsylvania, twists their Golden Monkey tripel into this Belgian-style holiday ale at 10% ABV, infused with cranberry, orange peel, cinnamon, nutmeg, and sometimes gingerbread notes for a spicy, fruity, high-ABV sipper that’s merry, smooth, and perfect for gathering ’round the fire.
Address: 3127 Lower Valley Rd, Parkesburg, PA 19365 (main production/taproom; original Downingtown location also active)
Website: https://www.victorybeer.com
10. Anderson Valley Winter Solstice Seasonal Ale (Boonville, CA)
Anderson Valley Brewing Company, nestled in Boonville, California, and famous for unique boontling-inspired beers, brews this classic winter warmer at 6.9% ABV with a deep amber hue, creamy mouthfeel, caramel sweetness, hints of toffee, spice, and a silky finish—lifting spirits like a cozy solstice celebration.
Address: 17700 CA-253, Boonville, CA 95415
Website: https://avbc.com
11. Shiner Holiday Cheer (Shiner, TX)
Spoetzl Brewery, the historic “Little Brewery” in Shiner, Texas—founded in 1909 as the Shiner Brewing Association and Texas’s oldest independent brewery—crafts this unique Old World Dunkelweizen at 5.4% ABV, infused with ripe Texas peaches and roasted pecans atop a base of malted barley and wheat, delivering sweet peach-forward notes balanced by caramel malts, subtle nuttiness, and a smooth kräusened finish for a distinctly Southern holiday twist.
Address: 603 E Brewery St, Shiner, TX 77984
Website: https://shiner.com
12. Breckenridge Christmas Ale (Breckenridge, CO)
Breckenridge Brewery, founded in the Colorado mountain town of Breckenridge in 1990 and now part of the Tilray family while keeping its craft spirit alive, brews this classic American winter warmer at 7.4% ABV with a rich amber-copper pour, layers of caramel and chocolate malts, subtle roasted notes, and a balanced hop finish—delivering straightforward holiday coziness without heavy spices, ideal for snowy nights by the fire.
Address: 600 S Main St, Breckenridge, CO 80424
Website: https://www.breckbrew.com
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