🎄 Christmas Dinner Beer Pairing Guide
- AZ Brews
- Dec 10, 2025
- 2 min read
Celebrate the season with perfect beer pairings for every part of your holiday feast.
1. Appetizers & Holiday Snacks
Cheese boards • charcuterie • smoked meats • nuts • baked brie • festive dips
Recommended Beer Styles:
Spiced Winter Ale – Holiday spices echo seasonal flavors.
Belgian Witbier – Light citrus and spice refresh the palate.
Festbier (German-style) – Soft, bready malt pairs with rich bites.
Holiday Pale Ale – Subtle pine and citrus complement winter snacks.
2. Soup Course
Creamy potato • mushroom bisque • roasted carrot • leek and potato
Recommended Beer Styles:
Brown Ale – Nutty malt pairs with creamy potato soups.
Bock – Rich malt depth without overwhelming the dish.
Munich Dunkel – Perfect for earthy mushroom flavors.
Schwarzbier – Light roast and smooth finish enhance winter soups.
3. Salad Course
Winter greens • cranberries • pears • blue cheese • toasted walnuts
Recommended Beer Styles:
Saison / Farmhouse Ale – Peppery dryness cuts through vinaigrette.
Gose – Lightly tart and salty; excellent with fruit and cheese.
Bière de Garde – Rustic malt supports hearty winter salads.
4. Main Course: Christmas Ham or Roast Beef
If You’re Serving Glazed Ham
Honey-baked • maple • brown sugar • spiced ham
Recommended Beer Styles:
Doppelbock – Deep malt sweetness mirrors ham glaze.
Christmas Ale – Seasonal spice and warmth match holiday flavors.
Belgian Dubbel – Dark fruit and caramel enhance the richness.
If You’re Serving Roast Beef / Prime Rib
Recommended Beer Styles:
Porter – Roasted malt balances the beef’s savory richness.
Stout (Dry or Sweet) – Smooth chocolate/coffee notes pair beautifully.
English Strong Ale – Bold malt stands up to hearty cuts of meat.
5. Classic Holiday Side Dishes
Sweet Potatoes (roasted or casserole)
Dunkelweizen – Caramelized banana/clove flavors complement sweetness.
Winter Warmer – Toasty malt and spice bring holiday depth.
Roasted Root Vegetables
Vienna Lager – Toasty malt and clean finish.
Altbier – Balanced bitterness enhances roasted flavors.
Stuffing / Dressing
ESB – Earthy hops and toasty malt match herbed stuffing.
American Amber Ale – Caramel notes pair with savory bread stuffing.
6. Dessert Course
Gingerbread • chocolate cake • fruitcake • Christmas cookies
Gingerbread or Spiced Desserts
Spiced Winter Ale
Belgian Dubbel
Winter Warmer
Chocolate Desserts
Imperial Stout – Dessert-like richness for pure decadence.
Baltic Porter – Silky texture with dark chocolate notes.
Fruitcake & Dense Holiday Desserts
Barleywine (English-style) – Caramel, toffee, and dried fruit.
Belgian Quadrupel – Rich, warming, and deeply flavorful.
7. After-Dinner / Fireside Sippers
Perfect for relaxing by the fireplace, exchanging gifts, or watching the snow. Warm, complex, and contemplative—ideal for the quiet end of a festive day.
Recommended Beer Styles:
Barrel-Aged Stout
Old Ale / Stock Ale
Barleywine
Belgian Quad
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Good suggestions!