Christmas beer ideas

[MrJay83]

Hi,

This will be the first Christmas that I've been brewing and would appreciate anyone sharing what beer they like to brew for the holidays. Ideally something with a bit of kick to it but not too strong.

Cheers

 

[Cwrw666]

Frankly I'm appalled by the idea of a 'festive ale'.

 

[Little Rock Brewing]

I've got the Wreck The Halls AG kit and Biscotti Breakfast Stout to do for Christmas.
Not just for me but as gifts too.

 

[Pennine]

Gonna brew a Baltic Porter with some chocolate and oaked bourbon. Maybe add some vanilla too.

 

[Hazelwood Brewery]

Christmas is a time for big beers like Imperial Stouts, and for whisky and brandy.

Your taste of course may be different but in my view Christmas spice belongs in a Christmas pudding, mulled wine, and maybe a scented candle if you must.

 

[Agentgonzo]

I tend to do darker maltier beers for Winter. I'm doing Hazelwood's award winning beer for this Christmas (about to brew it in a week or two).
https://www.thehomebrewforum.co.uk/media/full-english.957/
I also tend to have a nice rich Belgian beer for the cold winter months as well. This is a fantastic recipe I got from another site. It's a clone of Leffe Radieuse which is one of our favourite Belgian ales.

https://cdn2.imagearchive.com/thehomebrewforum/data/attach/70/70740-Leffe-Radieuse-Clone.pdf
https://community.grainfather.com/recipes/710262

 

[MrJay83]

Christmas is a time for big beers like Imperial Stouts, and for whisky and brandy.

Your taste of course may be different but in my view Christmas spice belongs in a Christmas pudding, mulled wine, and maybe a scented candle if you must.

I was thinking about a stout. I'd love to try a one but the family turn their noses up at anything other than a pint of Guinness from a pub. I do like that Guinness West Indies Porter.

 

[MrJay83]

I tend to do darker maltier beers for Winter. I'm doing Hazelwood's award winning beer for this Christmas (about to brew it in a week or two).
https://www.thehomebrewforum.co.uk/media/full-english.957/
I also tend to have a nice rich Belgian beer for the cold winter months as well. This is a fantastic recipe I got from another site. It's a clone of Leffe Radieuse which is one of our favourite Belgian ales.

https://cdn2.imagearchive.com/thehomebrewforum/data/attach/70/70740-Leffe-Radieuse-Clone.pdf

I'll get a bottle to try out.

 

[Agentgonzo]

I'll get a bottle to try out.

I'm not certain that they still sell Radieuse anymore (). I think that Rituel is the closest of their range to the Radieuse. If rich Belgian beers are your thing, take a look at Chimay Bleu, or N'Ice Chouffe

 

[Cheshire Cat]

I made some Kwak about a month back should be ready to drink by Christmas.

 

[Agentgonzo]

I made some Kwak about a month back should be ready to drink by Christmas.

do you have the goblets to go with it? I remember trying to nick them from the bars when I was growing up (Belgium) but they were too well guarded by the bar staff!

 

[YeastFace]

I was going to do a Belgian Dark Strong/Quad but not sure it will be ready by Christmas now as won't be able to brew for a couple of weeks. I may do an Extra Stout instead.

 

[Hazelwood Brewery]

I was thinking about a stout. I'd love to try a one but the family turn their noses up at anything other than a pint of Guinness from a pub. I do like that Guinness West Indies Porter.

Maybe they haven’t tried an Imperial Stout? You could always buy one or two from a bottle shop or online.

If you’ve not had one my advice would be maybe avoid the ones with flavouring. Oak-aged and those with bourbon are fine but many of the flavours are artificial and taste artificial.

 

[Agentgonzo]

I was going to do a Belgian Dark Strong/Quad but not sure it will be ready by Christmas now as won't be able to brew for a couple of weeks.

It's getting a bit tight, but it could still be done in time. I brewed the Radieuse (above) last year on the 19th of September. It was 'ready' by Christmas, but I would say only just. Conditioning time varies for them, but I was recommended (and independently verified) that particular beer took 5 months to get to its best. I would say it was probably at about 90-95% of its potential at Christmas (2 months conditioning).

 

[MrJay83]

I'm not certain that they still sell Radieuse anymore (). I think that Rituel is the closest of their range to the Radieuse. If rich Belgian beers are your thing, take a look at Chimay Bleu, or N'Ice Chouffe

I made a "rich" Saison a while back and I think it was a bit too much for my 75 year old dad I did really like it though.

 

[MrJay83]

Maybe they haven’t tried an Imperial Stout? You could always buy one or two from a bottle shop or online.

If you’ve not had one my advice would be maybe avoid the ones with flavouring. Oak-aged and those with bourbon are fine but many of the flavours are artificial and taste artificial.

Probably a stupid question but can imperial stouts be bottle conditioned? Any time I've heard of them it's something along the lines of in a cask and for a year.

 

[Agentgonzo]

Probably a stupid question but can imperial stouts be bottle conditioned? Any time I've heard of them it's something along the lines of in a cask and for a year.

Definitely. They'll often go into wood, or have wood chips added to give you some rich flavours, but they don't have to

 

[Hazelwood Brewery]

Probably a stupid question but can imperial stouts be bottle conditioned? Any time I've heard of them it's something along the lines of in a cask and for a year.

Yes, they are actually better when bottle conditioned. Some are “aged” in oak for a few weeks/months first and then bottled but it’s not necessary.

 

[MrJay83]

Grand. Think I'll toss a coin for imperial or dark Belgian. Cheers

 

[Hazelwood Brewery]

I made a "rich" Saison a while back and I think it was a bit too much for my 75 year old dad I did really like it though.

A Double IPA is another option, up to about 8%. I find IPAs over 8% cloyingly sweet, even from the big boys like Verdant.