Greene King brings back festive favourites
Greene King has brought back its Rocking Rudolph ale again this Christmas.
The 4.2% ABV beer has been brewed using the same recipe but is making its annual comeback with a refreshed festive badge.
As part of Greene King’s ongoing partnership with Macmillan Cancer Support, 5p (plus VAT) from every pint of Rocking Rudolph sold will be donated to the charity.
The brew will be available to pubs throughout November and December. Joining Rocking Rudolph, Greene King has also brought back its Fireside premium ale (4.5% ABV) and Abbot Reserve (6.5% ABV). Read more here.
Brain’s gives premium bitter a festive twist
Brain’s Brewery has launched Santa’s Ale, a festive twist on its premium bitter.
The Welsh beermaker described the ale as having a “warm copper glow and nutty richness”, crafted from pale and crystal malts balances with a hop trio of Challenger, Goldings and Fuggles with a smooth, full-bodied finish.
Brain’s Santa’s Ale will be available across the festive season direct from the brewery and wholesale, priced between £85 and £95.
Vocation reveals festive line-up
West-Yorkshire brewer Vocation has unveiled its festive line-up for the on-trade, featuring eight new brews available on keg and cask.
Keg:
- Naughty & Nice Chocolate Orange Stout (4.5% ABV): The smooth stout is inspired by the classic festive chocolate orange. Roasted malts bring depth and richness, while oats and lactose give a soft, creamy texture. Finished with real orange peel and natural cocoa.
- Party Animal Hazy IPA (5% ABV): Vibrant and hazy, with Simcoe, Ekuanot and Superdelic hops delivering layers of stone fruit, lime, papaya and tropical candy sweetness. Its smooth and pillowy body is balanced by a gentle, refreshing bitterness.
- The Nutcracker Chestnut & Vanilla Winter Ale (5.5% ABV): A rich, full-bodied winter ale with smooth notes of roasted chestnut and soft vanilla for a seasonal finish. It offers layers of biscuit, caramel and gentle spice, with a touch of earthy bitterness for balance.
- Snow Pines Cold IPA (6.4% ABV): Crisp and pine-forward, combining bright citrus, resinous pine and a hint of tropical fruit. It’s light-bodied, clean, dry and ultra-refreshing.
- Bread & Butter Pudding White Stout (7% ABV): A golden dessert stout inspired by the flavours of bread-and-butter pudding. Vanilla custard, dried fruit and gentle spice unfold over a soft and bready malt base, finished with sultanas, nutmeg and Ceylon cinnamon.
Cask:
- Winter Bloom Session Pale Ale (3.8% ABV): A bright, refreshing winter pale. Rakau, Mosaic and Citra hops deliver juicy tropical fruit, citrus and stone fruit balanced by a gentle bitterness, supported by a smooth, light malt base that finishes clean and crisp.
- Deck the Palms Blonde Ale (4.2% ABV): A vibrant blonde ale offering soft citrus and stone fruit notes with Motueka, Galaxy Spectrum, Vic Secret and Rakau hops bringing lime, tropical fruit, passionfruit, peach, and delicate floral notes.
- Chop & Change Barbe Rouge Pale Ale (4.5% ABV): The latest in Vocation’s single-hop cask series, showcasing Barbe Rouge hops for festive red berry and subtle stone fruit flavours – perfectly balanced with a touch of caramel sweetness.
The seasonal specials will be available to pubs and bars nationwide from November in 30L kegs and 9G casks.
Head brewer Rob Beck said: “Brewing festive beers is always something we look forward to.
“We’ve captured flavors like cocoa, orange peel, roasted chestnut and seasonal spices to create distinctive brews that people naturally associate with Christmas, while keeping the balance and drinkability pubs need for broad appeal.”
Black Sheep Brewery relaunches two festive brews
Black Sheep Brewery has relaunched its festive brews Blitzen and Snowflake.
Blitzen (4% ABV) is a ruby ale first launched in 2014, described as “Christmas cake in a glass”, delivering notes of burnt orange, dark fruits and subtle chocolate.
Brewed with Cascade and Goldings hops and finished with orange peel and muscovado sugar, it offers a rounded citrus–caramel profile.
Meanwhile, Snowflake (3.7% ABV), a winter pale ale originally from the York Brewery portfolio, provides a lighter, refreshing option for guests seeking an easy-drinking festive pint.
With citrus-forward character from bold American hops, balanced by floral and spice notes, it offers broad appeal across varying customer tastes.
Nirvana brings back Chocolate Milk Stout
Alcohol-free brewery Nirvana has brought back its Chocolate Milk Stout (0.5% ABV) for Christmas following it success in 2024.
Brewed with dark roasted malt and flavoured with dark chocolate and vanilla, head brewer James Rabagliati said the brew is a “decadent” stout with an “indulgent” richness.
Nirvana Chocolate Milk Stout is available now direct from the brewery’s webshop in 12x330ml can format priced at £27 as well as in keg format.
Joseph Holt releases yuletide brew
Independent brewery Joseph Holt has announced the release of a special yuletide brew.
Rudolph Rosy Red is said to be a warming ale, named for its glowing ruby-red hue, made using crystal rye and cranberries as well as festive spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves.
Head brewer Phil Parkinson said: “This is the first time we’ve used cranberries in our seasonal beer. They provide a wonderful colour, of course, but they also bring a bold rounded, fruity flavour that perfectly complements the other seasonal ingredients.”
Parkinson added: “It’s a long-standing tradition for us to create a festive brew. And this year we hope with the innovative use of cranberries and crystal rye, Rudolph Rosy Red will bring plenty of joy to Christmas celebrations.”
Otter introduces Elf beer
Devonshire’s Otter Brewery has introduced Otter Elf, a festive Chestnut dry-hopped beer that blends Pacific Gem hops with traditional English, resulting in a deep blackberry flavour. The brew is available at a wholesale price of £122.19 this Christmas.
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