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Christmas Ale

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Copper-coloured, smooth, fruity and full-bodied, with toffee and caramel aromas, Christmas fruits and spices. This seasonal ale weighs in at 7.0 % ABV and won Gold at the European Beer Challenge in 2026. It comes from a brewery that has been at work since 1996 beside a moated hall in Suffolk, and it exports to more than 20 countries.

ABV
7%
Bitterness
Noticeably bitter
Malt-forward bitterness
SRM
deep amber15
PaceSipper

AWARDS

Gold · 2026
European Beer Challenge
★Gold — European Beer Challenge
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
caramelfruityspicy
caramel
fruity
spicy
dark fruit
malty
Aroma
The nose opens with prominent caramel and toffee notes, underpinned by dark fruit character—plum and raisin—and warming spice.
not found:hoppy,roasted,clean,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Christmas Ale

◎ Appearance

A copper-hued ale with excellent clarity and a rich, persistent head that clings to the glass with fine lacing. The body is full and substantial, with steady carbonation that supports the visual warmth of the pour. The color sits firmly in the amber-copper range, suggesting a well-developed Malz bill.

copper-amberclear, good head retentionpersistent lacing

◌ Aroma

The nose opens with prominent caramel and toffee notes, underpinned by dark fruit character—plum and raisin—and warming spice. Malt depth is evident, with hints of molasses and Christmas spice (cinnamon, nutmeg, clove) woven through the sweetness. A subtle alcohol warmth rounds out the aromatic profile without overshadowing the fruit and spice complexity.

caramel, toffeedark fruit, plumChristmas spice, cinnamon

◐ Taste

Entry is smooth and full-bodied, delivering immediate caramel and sweet malt character on the palate. The mid-palate deepens with dark fruit complexity and spice notes, while the moderate bitterness (35 IBU) sits in the background, providing balance without asserting dominance. The finish is dry enough to prevent cloying, with a lingering sweetness that invites the next sip.

smooth, full-bodiedcaramel sweetness, dark fruitbalanced, moderate bitterness

◑ Finish

A warming, moderately long finish with residual caramel and spice that fades gracefully. The alcohol presence (7% ABV) is felt as a gentle warmth rather than sharpness, leaving a semi-dry aftertaste with lingering dark fruit notes.

warming finishcaramel aftertaste
82
hopIQ score
Aroma
84
Taste
83
Appearance
80
Finish
79
Serve at 12–16°C

Serve at 12–16°C for the best flavour balance and aroma expression.

Pint glass

The classic — versatile, comfortable to hold and keeps the beer cool. No frills, no distractions: just the beer.

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Food Pairing

What to eat with Christmas Ale

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About Strong Ale

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Strong Ale?

Strong Ale is a distinctive beer style with its own characteristic flavour, aroma and colour. Discover what makes it unique and find similar beers on hopIQ.

Finding a similar Strong Ale

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same caramel, fruity, full-bodied character as Christmas Ale will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

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