Posted in beer

Tis The Season for Holiday-Themed Beers on the BC Ale Trail

   December 7, 2020

In case you enjoy beer as well as wine, I received this press release from the BC Ale Trail with a lineup of very interesting holiday themed beer.  Pick up a 6 pack or more for the holidays and enjoy.

~~~

December 7, 2020, Victoria, BC – With the arrival of December, many craft breweries in British Columbia are beginning to release special beers for the holiday season. These ales are often a little darker and stronger, making them perfectly suited for colder, darker days, and some incorporate spices or ingredients inviting holiday nostalgia. Here are our suggestions for holiday beers and gift packs you’ll find on the BC Ale Trail. 

10 Holiday-themed Beers from BC Breweries

Winter CAMP – Camp Beer Co.

Langley, 6% ABV
 
BCAT - 2020 Holiday Beer - Camp Winter Camp
This ginger snap cookie-style ale is perfect for the holiday season. Also look for Camp’s Barrel-Aged Flannel Pyjamas (10% ABV), a Wee Heavy Scottish Ale aged in Jack Daniels bourbon barrels, and Hopsecco Brut Pale Ale, a collaboration with Old Abbey Ales will be released in conjunction with Camp’s first anniversary on December 17. It is bone dry and effervescent with notes of white wine grapes, making it perfect for toasting the arrival of 2021. Available at liquor stores and at the brewery. Found on the Fraser Valley Ale Trail.
 

Ginger Snap Brown Ale – Deep Cove Brewers & Distillers

North Vancouver (5.7% ABV) 
 
BCAT - 2020 Holiday Beer - Deep Cove Ginger Snap
Fresh ginger, molasses, cinnamon, and cloves evoke the holiday season in this smooth and creamy beer. Available at liquor stores and at the brewery. Found on Vancouver’s North Shore Ale Trail. 
 
 

Chai Hard – Dog Mountain Brewing

Port Alberni (5.1% ABV)
 
BCAT - 2020 Holiday Beer - Dog Mountain Chai Hard
No matter what anyone says, Die Hard is a Christmas movie, mmkay? Chai Hard is a chai-spiced brown ale that pays homage to the Christmas-themed action movie starring Bruce Willis. This ale includes lactose that is reminiscent of a sweet, carbonated, cold chai latté. Available at liquor stores and the brewery. Found on the Vancouver Island Ale Trail Part 2.
 

Holiday Jam Cranberry Sour – Electric Bicycle Brewing

Vancouver (5% ABV | 12 IBU*)
The festive label on this beer that was brewed with cranberry purée makes it the ideal gift to put under a beer lover’s Christmas tree. It will be sold on its own or as part of a Holiday Mix Pack that includes a code to see a special video featuring a virtual brewery tour and tasting by Santa Claus and his elves. Available at the brewery and through local delivery. Found on the Vancouver Ale Trail.
 

Cherry Me Home – New Tradition Brewing

Comox (5% ABV | 29 IBU)
A medium-bodied stout inspired by Oma’s Black forest chocolate cake featuring dark chocolate, cherries, and Mandarina Bavaria hops. Available at the brewery. Found on the Vancouver Island Ale Trail Part 2.
 

Wobbly Toboggan IPA – North Point Brewing

North Vancouver (9.5% ABV | 65 IBU)
This White IPA is abundantly hopped with Nelson Sauvin and Azacca, presenting notes of gooseberry, tropical fruit, spice and bitterness. Available at the brewery. Found on Vancouver’s North Shore Ale Trail.
 

SPECTAACULOUS ‘Spice Cookie’ Stout – Parkside Brewery

Port Moody (7.2% ABV | 25 IBU)
A robust stout inspired by the European speculaas spice cookie – also known as the Windmill Cookie – with warming flavours of brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla and cardamom. Available at liquor stores and the brewery. Found on the Port Moody Ale Trail.
 

Silent Night – Sherwood Mountain Brewhouse

Terrace (7.25% ABV | 18 IBU)
The recipe for this spiced Belgian ale was created by owner Darryl Tucker and a visiting Belgian brewer back in 2014 before the brewery even opened. Sherwood Mountain releases it every Christmas, and hopes to present it at a Winter Beer Festival in Belgium one day. Available at the brewery. Found on the Northern BC Ale Trail.
 

“A Great Big Sled” Gingerbread Scottish Ale – Silver Valley Brewing

Maple Ridge (5.5% ABV | 20 IBU)
This festive take on a Scottish Ale features caramel, toffee and toasty biscuit flavours, along with a healthy dose of gingerbread spices. Available at the brewery. Found on the Maple Ridge Ale Trail.
 

Elf Juice – Mandarin Hazy IPA – Yellow Dog Brewing

Port Moody (7% ABV | 30 IBU)
The fifth annual holiday beer released in conjunction with CFOX Radio to support charity, this juicy IPA was brewed with a plethora of hops and a hint of mandarin orange to create a festive holiday hop potion. Available at liquor stores and the brewery. Found on the Port Moody Ale Trail.
 
For more holiday-themed beers, please visit the BC Ale Trail blog.
Another popular option is one of a variety of gift packs combining special beers with other items that will please any beer lover who finds them under their Christmas tree.
 
 

12 Days of XMas Beer Box – East Van Brewing, Vancouver
 
BCAT - 2020 Holiday Beer - East Van Pack
Each box includes a dozen different 650ml bottles from East Van classics to one-off exclusives, carefully curated to take you on a beer journey leading up to the big day. Available for pre-order through the brewery’s website for delivery or pick-up. Found on the Vancouver Ale Trail.
 
 

Gratitude Gift Pack – Hoyne Brewing, Victoria
 
BCAT - 2020 Holiday Beer - Hoyne Gratitude
Hoyne Brewing releases this special winter ale each December to say thanks to, well, everyone —read the poem written by Sean Hoyne that graces the beer’s label to see what we mean. The gift pack includes two branded snifter glasses and one 650-ml bottle of Gratitude (9% ABV) in a stylish gift box. Available at the brewery or through the brewery’s website for home delivery. Found on the Victoria Ale Trail.
 

12 Beers of Christmas – LoveShack Libations, Qualicum Beach

This features 12 different LoveShack brews including two specially brewed for the holiday season: Vanilla Bourbon Stout (7.2% ABV) and Winter Wonder Ale (6.2% ABV). Available at the brewery on Saturdays only. Check ahead for availability. Found on the Vancouver Island Ale Trail Part 2.
 
Krampus Bundle – Strange Fellows Brewing, Vancouver
This gift pack includes one 750-ml bottle of Krampus Abbey Dubbel (8.5% ABV), a gold Krampus glass, and a bonus gift card that can be redeemed for one glass of beer at the brewery. Available at the brewery or through the brewery’s website for home delivery. Found on the Vancouver Ale Trail.
 
Gift Box – Whistle Buoy Brewing, Victoria
The box includes three 946ml crowlers of Whistle Buoy beer, a limited edition, branded Belgian-style stemmed glass, and a 473ml can of Espresso Stout that will match perfectly with a chocolate dessert following a holiday meal. Available for pre-order through the brewery’s website. Found on the Victoria Ale Trail.
 
We’ve rounded up even more craft beer gift ideas on our BC Ale Trail blog. Click here for more inspiration.
 
So this winter, stay close to home and support local businesses on your BC Ale Trail by sampling these can’t-miss winter brews. Be sure to share your experiences with us using the hashtags #BCAleTrail and #ExploreBC.
 
For more information about the BC Ale Trail, please visit https://bcaletrail.ca.
Share: TwitterFacebookPinterestLinkedin
Author: mywinepal
Drink Good Wine. That is my motto and I really want to help you drink good wine. What is good wine? That can be a different thing for each people. Food also loves wine so I also cover food and wine pairings, restaurant reviews, and world travel. Enjoy life with me. MyWinePal was started by Karl Kliparchuk, WSET. I spent many years with the South World Wine Society as the President and then cellar master. I love to travel around the world, visiting wine regions and sharing my passion for food & wine with you. Come live vicariously through me, and enjoy all my recommended wines.