Christmas is just around the corner – we can almost smell it! And with Christmas it means the chance to enjoy a few very special beers that you wouldn’t otherwise get to taste in the normal turn of the year. We always get such a thrill working out what beers we’re going to sample over the break – our eyes light up and we’re just like kids in a candy store!

And while it is a chance to try something different, there are brewers who also take it as a chance to create something different. Take for instance Mikkeller, the "phantom” microbrewery, originally based in Copenhagen, Denmark who now brew throughout the world including Norway, Belgium, the United Kingdom, and the United States. In 2011 they created not just one but four Christmas beers:

Mikkeller Fra Til (meaning From To) – a Spiced Imperial Porter

Mikkeller Santas Little Helper – a Spiced Strong Dark Belgian Ale

Mikkeller Hoppy Lovin’ Christmas – an Indian Pale Ale (IPA) new for Christmas 2011 brewed with ginger and pine needles

Ris a la M’ale – inspired by the dessert Risalamande, brewed with cherries, almond and vanilla

Thankfully we have the first three in stock – hopefully there might just be a couple left over for us!

Looking deeper on the subject of Christmas beer we found that in Denmark there is a special style of beer that is marketed specifically around Christmas; Julebryg and Juleøl (Christmas beer). The beers vary in strength and style, though tend to be malty and around 6% abv. Examples include Tuborg Julebryg (a 5.6% pale lager), Svaneke Julebryg (a 5.6% dark lager), Fur Julebryg (a 6.5% brown ale), Fjordens Juleøl (a 6% dark lager), and Raasted Juleøl (a 8.5% dark ale).