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 some suggestions for holiday beers and gift packs you’ll find on the BC Ale Trail as suggested by their team.

Winter CAMP – Camp Beer Co.

Langley, 6% ABV

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.

Ginger Snap Brown Ale – Deep Cove Brewers & Distillers

North Vancouver (5.7% ABV)
Fresh ginger, molasses, cinnamon, and cloves evoke the holiday season in this smooth and creamy beer. Available at liquor stores and at the brewery.

Chai Hard – Dog Mountain Brewing

Port Alberni (5.1% ABV)
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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

“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.

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.

For more holiday-themed beers, please visit the BC Ale Trail blog.

BC’s Top Winter/Holiday Gift Packs

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

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 preorder through the brewery’s website for delivery or pick-up.

Gratitude Gift Pack – Hoyne Brewing, Victoria

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.

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.

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.

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.

BC Ale Trail has rounded up even more craft beer gift ideas on our BC Ale Trail blog. Click here for more inspiration.