🎄 Deck the Halls with Beer! The holidays are officially here, and that means it’s time for our holiday cheer off!

This month we sampled 9 different holiday and winter warmer beers, searching for the brew that truly embodied the season.

Our mission was clear: we were hunting for rich, warming characteristics. We focused our search on beers featuring darker malts, a higher alcohol content (ABV) for that cozy, warming feeling, and a complex profile of spices (cinnamon, clove, nutmeg) or adjuncts like dried fruits and chocolate.

After a fiercely contested tasting session—and a few rounds of spirited debate—we crowned a winner. Taking the top spot – Shiner Holiday Cheer!

Tasting Notes

This beer stood out precisely because it wasn’t the typical heavily, spiced holiday route. It’s a classic Bavarian-style dark wheat ale (Dunkelweizen) brewed not with clove and ginger, but with Texas peaches and roasted pecans. This combination delivers a unique profile of fruity, nutty, and smooth malty notes. With a 5.4% ABV, it’s incredibly drinkable and refreshing.

Style: Dunkelweizen

ABV: 5.4%

A satisfying, smooth, and flavorful beer that is a popular choice for the holidays. Best enjoyed by those who appreciate a more fruit-forward or less spicy holiday beer.

The Perfect Pairing: Leesl’s Christmas Eve Tradition

Every month, our tastings lead us to a perfect food match, and this month is no exception!

Leesl: As a very proud Texan can attest, Shiner Holiday Cheer is the ultimate match for holiday tamales. For many Texans, including my family, enjoying tamales on Christmas Eve is a treasured tradition. Sharing tamales is a way to express warmth, generosity, and hospitality, and it is considered a gift from the heart. And the rich, savory, and often spicy nature of the filling demands a beer that can cut through the heat and refresh the palate. The Holiday Cheer’s light, slightly sweet, and fruity-nutty profile provides the perfect counterpoint to the hearty tamales. It’s a pairing that celebrates local brewing and time-honored tradition!

🥈 Two Loved Runners-Up

These two beers hit all of our richness and spice criteria and were neck-and-neck for the top honor.

1. Abita Office Party Holiday Stout

Brewery: Abita Brewing Co. (Covington, LA)

Style: Holiday Spiced Stout

ABV: 6.8%

This is the “best dressed” brew for any holiday mix and mingle. Office Party is a classic stout built on oats, pale, caramel, and chocolate malts, giving it a rich body. However, what sealed the deal were the generous additions of cocoa nibs, cinnamon, vanilla, and nutmeg. At 6.8% ABV, this beer provides the cozy, spiced warmth we were looking for, making it a perfect dessert beer to sip by the fire.

2. TUPPS Ugly Sweater

Brewery: Tupps Brewery (McKinney, TX)

Style: Holiday Spiced Amber Ale

ABV: 5.2%

TUPPS took their classic Amber Ale and infused it with serious holiday spirit! This lower-ABV option (5.2%) is sessionable but still packed with holiday spices, giving you a strong, festive flavor without the heavy body. It’s a great choice for those looking for a flavorful holiday beer that you can enjoy while wearing your ugliest, coziest sweater!

🥉 Honorable Mention

Community Snickerdoodle Ale

Brewery: Community Beer Co. (Dallas, TX)

Style: Cinnamon & Spice Ale

ABV: 5.2%

Rounding out our top picks is this cookie-inspired brew. The Snickerdoodle Ale impressed with its spot-on flavor profile. At 5.2% ABV, it perfectly mimics the sweet, warm, cinnamon-dusted goodness of a freshly baked snickerdoodle cookie. It’s a fun, flavorful ale that truly captures the joy of holiday treats.

Final Call: Cheers With a Shiner!

So, this December, grab a six-pack of the Holiday Cheer and a plate of tamales. Raise a proper pint to local tradition, festive flavor, and a truly cheerful holiday season. 🍻

The Question for Our Readers: What’s your favorite holiday brew? Let us know in the comments!