Christmas Beer & Winter Ales

Great choice of beers and wine. My favorite beer shop ever!!

Great local shop, very friendly staff and delicious drinks. Great selection of non-alcoholic beers as well

I had a great experience at this beer shop. My girlfriend and I came in looking for three beers as a gift for her fat...

Great selection and prices

Great bottle shop with just the nicest person at the shop! Very attentive and helpful. Definitely recommend checking ...

Best bottle shop in Edinburgh, great selection of beers and super helpful staff. My go to for sour beer.

A phenomenal selection of products that is perhaps only surpassed by how phenomenal their staff is - I went in lookin...

Great selection with friendly staff.

Absolutely superb selection and even better service. I was given great recommendations that suited my needs, and the ...

Dear owner my friend and his wife were there on holiday and found me a bottle of Blantons Gold I have been wanting a ...

Finest and greatest depth of beers for sale in Edinburgh. The owner is super knowledgeable and helpful. There was a c...

Can't believe I've failed to give a good review of this place before. I've been frequenting this place fo...

Una selección muy buena de cerveza. Nos atendió un chico muy amable detallandonos muy bien el producto a pesar de ser...

Popped in a few nights ago for some gifts. Great customer experience, they listened to what I was looking for and cam...

Spotted on my drive to my last customer, so glad I spotted it. By far one of the best bottle shops I've had the p...

The Beerhive is simply the best,very friendly knowledgeable staff,always have an extensive range of beers.🍻

Excellent selection, very kind and knowledgeable co-owner! Thank you, I walked out with 8 exceptional bottles of wine!

Great guys, amazing selection and super knowledgeable! The best.

Our local bottle shop!Absolutely top service everytime we go in! Team are always so friendly and knowledgeable.Always...

Always a pleasure to visit, a real asset to the community, we would be lost without Team Beerhive! Helpful, friendly ...

Great little beer and wine place

Huge selection of quality beers and an execllent local delivery service. I ordered on Thursday night and had the beer...

Been buying beer from Peter and Richard for nearly 8 years now. Definitely the best beer shop in town.

Excellent selection across a broad range of price points and styles and thats just the wine. The Beerhive has been ah...

excellent wee shop with great staff and wonderful selection - lots of stuff that isn't beer too, picked up a few ...

Awesome bottle shop. Totally out of my way but I will return many times

Meget godt utvalg i ØL

Great selection and service with a smile! I was really pleased with their delivery options and frequency. I am cancel...

An obviously great passion project bottle shop which I'm embarrassed it took me so long to visit. Great selection...

Great place for exciting craft beers with an excellent wine selection as well. The staff are knowledgeable and friend...

Explore More of Our Collection

TASTING NOTES

Dried Fruit, Honey, Spice and Candied Orange

De Dolle Stille Nacht Christmas

Notes: Dried Fruit, Honey, Spice and Candied Orange

Regular price £7.00

Regular price Sale price £7.00
Unit price per
TASTING NOTES

Candied Orange, Chestnut Honey, Clove and Christmas Cake

La Chouffe N'ice Chouffe 75cl

Notes: Candied Orange, Chestnut Honey, Clove and Christmas Cake

Regular price £12.50

Regular price Sale price £12.50
Unit price per
TASTING NOTES

Dark Fruit, Brown Sugar, Winter Spice and Toffee

Dubuisson Bush Noel 75cl

Notes: Dark Fruit, Brown Sugar, Winter Spice and Toffee

Regular price £16.50

Regular price Sale price £16.50
Unit price per
TASTING NOTES

Orange Marmalade, Dried Apricot, White Pepper and Honeycomb

De Ranke Winterbinkske Grand Cru 75cl

Notes: Orange Marmalade, Dried Apricot, White Pepper and Honeycomb

Regular price £24.00

Regular price Sale price £24.00
Unit price per
TASTING NOTES

Dark Fruit, Caramel, Oak and Spice

Dubuisson Bush Prestige 75cl

Notes: Dark Fruit, Caramel, Oak and Spice

Regular price £26.00

Regular price Sale price £26.00
Unit price per
TASTING NOTES

Date Syrup, Dark Fig, Cocoa and Christmas Cake

Chimay Blue Grand Reserve Magnum

Notes: Date Syrup, Dark Fig, Cocoa and Christmas Cake

Regular price £36.00

Regular price Sale price £36.00
Unit price per
TASTING NOTES

Pear Drop, Wildflowers, White Pepper and Lemon Thyme

Moinette Dupont Bons Voeux Magnum

Notes: Pear Drop, Wildflowers, White Pepper and Lemon Thyme

Regular price £36.00

Regular price Sale price £36.00
Unit price per

Christmas beer ranges from rich Belgian winter ales and spiced dark lagers to imperial stout, warming barleywine and festive mixed fermentation releases. Traditionally brewed for colder weather and holiday gatherings, these beers tend to lean fuller, darker and more expressive, often showcasing notes of dried fruit, baking spice, chocolate, caramel and warming alcohol.

Seasonal brewing has long been part of European beer culture, particularly in Belgium and Germany where stronger winter beers remain closely associated with Christmas and festive drinking. Belgian Noël ales, dark strong ales and spiced winter beers continue to be some of the defining styles of the season, balancing richness and complexity with remarkable drinkability.

Our Christmas beer selection focuses on bottles and cans suited to winter drinking, sharing and pairing with seasonal food. Alongside classic Belgian festive ales, the collection includes rich imperial stout, smoked beer, barrel-aged releases, dark lager and mixed fermentation bottles chosen for depth, texture and warmth.

Many of these beers pair particularly well with roast meats, strong cheese, chocolate desserts and Christmas food, while others are ideal for slow drinking by the fire or opening with friends over the holidays. From approachable seasonal favourites to stronger cellar-worthy bottles, Christmas beer offers some of the richest and most characterful styles in the beer world.

Whether you're looking for festive mixed packs, special bottles for Christmas dinner or darker beers suited to cold winter evenings, this collection brings together the richer and more seasonal side of modern beer.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Christmas beer?

Christmas beer is a seasonal beer brewed specifically for the festive period, often featuring richer malt character, higher alcohol and warming spice notes designed for winter drinking.

What does Christmas beer taste like?

Christmas beers are typically rich, malty and warming, often showing flavours like caramel, dried fruit, toffee, biscuit and festive spices such as cinnamon, clove and nutmeg.

Why is it called Christmas beer?

It is called Christmas beer because it is traditionally brewed for release and consumption during the Christmas season, often as a special winter or holiday edition from breweries.

Is Christmas beer the same as winter beer?

Christmas beer is a sub-style of winter beer. Winter beers cover a broader seasonal range, while Christmas beers are specifically themed and often spiced or festive in character.

Are Christmas beers stronger than regular beers?

Yes, Christmas beers are often stronger than standard beers, typically brewed with higher alcohol to suit slow, warming winter drinking.

What styles are Christmas beers usually based on?

Christmas beers can be based on a wide range of styles including stouts, porters, strong ales, Belgian strong ales, and malty amber or dark lagers.

Do Christmas beers contain spices?

Many Christmas beers include festive spices such as cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, star anise or orange peel, though not all versions are spiced.

When are Christmas beers released?

They are usually released in late autumn (October–November) ahead of the festive season and are often limited seasonal releases.

What food pairs well with Christmas beer?

Christmas beers pair well with roast meats, turkey, stuffing, mince pies, Christmas pudding, chocolate desserts and strong cheeses.

Why are Christmas beers popular?

They are popular because they feel seasonal and indulgent, often offering richer, more complex flavours that suit colder weather and festive occasions.

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