The Best Beers I Had in December 2025
The holidays are my absolute favorite time to enjoy beer, especially Belgians and dark lagers. The flavors of dried fruit, spices, caramel, roasted nuts and shortbread tend to dominate the beers I drink this time of year. That said, I will always enjoy a high quality IPA, and I think the piney flavors present in many American IPAs are a perfect match for the season, too.
IPA
Odell Brewing Co.
American IPA, 7% ABV
This IPA is so good that it’s used as a benchmark for judges at the Great American Beer Festival. I absolutely love it, and it’s my favorite widely available IPA. If I see it on a menu and I can’t make a decision, I’ll go for it every time. Bitter, sweet, citrusy, delicious.
Première
Chimay
Belgian Dubbel, 7% ABV
This is Chimay’s oldest beer, and it’s my favorite of theirs. I drink it around Christmas every year because I think the flavors encapsulate the feelings of the holidays. Warming, spicy, a little citrusy, dried fruits, sweet. It’s got it all.
Celebration
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
Fresh Hop IPA, 6.8% ABV
The fact that you can snag a 24-pack of this at Costco is pretty awesome. It’s a great beer that I love drinking this time of year. Cascade, Centennial and Chinook hops brighten this strong beer and balance the caramel backbone.
Louie Saison
Bruz Beers
Saison, 6.1% ABV
Bruz specializes in Belgian beers, and I love their Saison. It has a spicy, fruity aroma and a crisp finish. A nice, zesty beer that is refreshing and flavorful.
Fairytale of Denver
Ratio Beerworks
Christmas Ale, 7.5% ABV
I love Winter Warmers and Christmas Ales, even though I didn’t include them in my Best Beers to Enjoy at Christmas post. I was so pleased to see this beer when I went to Ratio because you don’t see this style often. This beer was a great combo of complex flavors—leather, cardamom, cinnamon, clove, allspice, cranberry, all against a sweet, caramel malt base. Really solid. Honorable mention to Dear You, Ratio’s award-winning Citra Saison, that I also enjoyed while I was there.
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