10 festive beer cocktails for the holiday season

Dirty Snowman

• Description: A decadent, dessert-inspired cocktail made with dark lager, cognac, and coconut milk, finished off with gingerbread cookie crumbles.
• Ingredients: 1–3 oz dark lager, 1 1/4 oz cognac, 1/2 oz simple syrup, 1 tsp crushed chocolate chips and gingerbread cookies (for garnish), a splash of coconut milk or whipped cream.
• Beer Suggestions: Schlafly Beer’s – Black Lager (5.0%) | Modern Brewing’s – After Dark (5.5% ABV)

Apple Cider Shandy

• Description: A refreshing combination of tangy apple cider and crisp beer, spiced for the festive season.
• Ingredients: 6 oz. wheat beer, 6 oz apple cider, a dash of cinnamon or nutmeg.
• Directions: Mix wheat beer and apple cider with a sprinkle of cinnamon or nutmeg in a glass and serve.
• Beer Suggestions: Urban Chestnut’s Schnickelfritz (4.8% ABV) | Rockwell Beer’s Passing Clouds (4.6% ABV)

Beer Eggnog

• Description: Classic eggnog blended with a creamy winter ale or milk stout, topped with freshly grated nutmeg and cinnamon.
• Ingredients: 6 oz. milk stout, 4 oz. eggnog, a sprinkle of nutmeg and cinnamon.
• Directions: Mix milk stout and eggnog in a glass. Garnish with grated nutmeg and cinnamon.
• Beer Suggestions: 4 Hands’ Absence of Light (7.1% ABV)  | Good News Brewings’ Hazelnut Coffee Milk Stout (5.3% ABV)

Bourbon Stout Cocktail

• Description: A deep and flavorful drink that fuses the smoothness of bourbon with the richness of stout beer. Ideal for snuggly mornings.
• Ingredients: 1/2 cup stout, 1/4 cup bourbon, 1 teaspoon vanilla, 1-2 TBSP chocolate syrup, ice cubes, half-and-half cream or heavy whipping cream based on preference.
• Directions: Combine chocolate stout, bourbon, vanilla, and chocolate syrup in a glass. Serve over ice and top with half-and-half.
• Beer Suggestion: Civil Life’s Big American Stout (6.5%) | Excel Brewing’s Southside Stout (6.5% ABV)

Citrus Belgian Spritz

• Description: A bright and sparkling cocktail featuring citrus juices and a refreshing Belgian ale.
• Ingredients: 8 oz. Belgian pale ale, 4 oz. orange juice, 1 oz lemon juice, lemon twist for garnish.
• Directions: Mix Belgian ale with orange and lemon juices and garnish with a lemon twist.
• Beer Suggestion: Perennial Artisan Ales’ Hommel Bier (5.0%)  or Aria (7.2%) 

Cranberry Beer Mimosa

• Description: A tart yet refreshing blend of cranberry juice, orange juice, and a light wheat beer, topped with sugared cranberries.
• Ingredients: 8 oz. wheat beer, 4 oz. cranberry juice, 2 oz. orange juice, sugared cranberries for garnish.
• Directions: Mix wheat beer with cranberry and orange juices in a glass. Garnish with sugared cranberries.
• Beer Suggestion: Heavy Riff’s Squeez Box Lemon Wheat (4.8%), Old Baker Beer’s Citrus Wheat (4.7% ABV)

Holiday Coffee Porter Nog

• Description: A smooth, coffee-infused cocktail that combines the richness of eggnog with the roasted flavors of a porter.
• Ingredients: 6 oz. coffee porter, 4 oz. eggnog, 1 oz. coffee liqueur (like Kahlúa), whipped cream and a dusting of cinnamon for garnish.
• Beer Suggestions: Third Wheel’s Saint Peters’ Porter with Coffee (6.8% ABV)

Maple Citrus Pale Ale Mary

• Description: A zesty and savory spin on a classic Bloody Mary, featuring maple syrup and a crisp pale ale for a balanced flavor.
• Ingredients: Pale ale, 4 oz. Bloody Mary mix, 1 tsp. maple syrup, 1 lemon wedge (squeezed), celery stick and lemon slice for garnish.
• Directions: Mix Bloody Mary mix, maple syrup, and lemon juice, then add pale ale and garnish.
• Beer Suggestions: Narrow Gauge’s DDH Sparkle Motion (6.0% ABV) | Logboat Brewing’s Lookout Ale (5.5% ABV)

Mint Chocolate Stout Martini

• Description: A rich and creamy cocktail based on stout, with a refreshing peppermint twist.
• Ingredients: 8 oz. milk stout, 1 oz. crème de menthe, 1 oz. vodka, crushed candy canes for garnish.
• Directions: Combine milk stout, crème de menthe, and vodka in a glass. Garnish with crushed candy canes.
• Beer Suggestion: Main & Mill’s Ice Cream Daze: Mint Chocolate Chip (7.5% ABV). | Big Muddy Brewing’s Vanilla Stout (6.0% ABV)

Festive Berry Wheat Punch

• Description: A light and fruity punch that combines tart berry flavors with a crisp wheat beer, ideal for holiday celebrations.
• Ingredients: 8 oz. wheat beer, 4 oz. cranberry juice, 2 oz. orange juice, 1 oz vodka (optional), orange slice and sugared cranberries for garnish.
• Directions: Mix wheat beer, cranberry juice, and orange juice in a glass or pitcher.
• Beer Suggestions: Friendship Brewing’s Strawberry Wheat (5.2%ABV) | Stubborn German’s Dark Waterloo Wheat (5.4%ABV)