Christmas IPA
Goose Island Beer Co.
- From:
- Goose Island Beer Co.
- Illinois, United States
- Style:
- American IPA
Ranked #4,222 - ABV:
- 7.5%
- Score:
- 84
Ranked #31,837 - Avg:
- 3.7 | pDev: 12.97%
- Ratings:
- | reviews: 57
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Sep 24, 2025
- Added:
- Oct 27, 2019
- Wants:
- 0
- Gots:
- 9
SCORE
84
Good
84
Good
Christmas IPA is a malt forward IPA using 6 different hops throughout the process. Subtle stone fruit and wood notes balance with caramel malt on the palate dry-hopped with Meridian, Ahtanum, and Cashmere. It’s got a bit of an old school feel on the malt side with caramel malt and a lovely red hue to go wit the classic kettle hop backbone. Nicely balanced and dry, this little number dons a big fruity aroma.
IBU: 38
HOPS: NORTHERN BREWER, CASCADE, MERIDIAN, CASHMERE, ATHENEUM
MALTS:2-ROW, C-20, DEBITTERED BLACK, CANE SUGAR
IBU: 38
HOPS: NORTHERN BREWER, CASCADE, MERIDIAN, CASHMERE, ATHENEUM
MALTS:2-ROW, C-20, DEBITTERED BLACK, CANE SUGAR
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by steveh:
Reviewed by steveh from Illinois
3.49/5 rDev -5.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.49/5 rDev -5.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Guess this was out last year too, but I didn't try it. Have been feeling especially hoppy since Okto season, so.
12 ounce can, best by 3-11-21. Poured into my Nonic Imperial Pint.
L -- Clear, copper-amber with a light tan head; dense and sudsy.
S -- Piny notes, fresh DMS character, light caramel notes.
T -- Hot, bitter, herbal and earthy hops up front. The bitterness borders on astringent. Fruit esters back; peach, apricot. Sweetish biscuit malt fights for recognition. Bitter citrus & herbal hops dominate the finish and aftertaste.
F -- Mouthfeel is crisp to sticky with a medium-robust body.
O -- An IPA in the Celebration image, but just not as complex in its malt character and balance with its hops. I was sort of hoping for a Celebration clone, but why should I expect it? A very drinkable, hoppy IPA.
Nov 12, 202012 ounce can, best by 3-11-21. Poured into my Nonic Imperial Pint.
L -- Clear, copper-amber with a light tan head; dense and sudsy.
S -- Piny notes, fresh DMS character, light caramel notes.
T -- Hot, bitter, herbal and earthy hops up front. The bitterness borders on astringent. Fruit esters back; peach, apricot. Sweetish biscuit malt fights for recognition. Bitter citrus & herbal hops dominate the finish and aftertaste.
F -- Mouthfeel is crisp to sticky with a medium-robust body.
O -- An IPA in the Celebration image, but just not as complex in its malt character and balance with its hops. I was sort of hoping for a Celebration clone, but why should I expect it? A very drinkable, hoppy IPA.
More User Ratings:
Rated by ttoadee from Texas
3.99/5 rDev +7.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
3.99/5 rDev +7.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
RB transfer
Sep 24, 2025
Reviewed by mothman from Minnesota
4/5 rDev +8.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4/5 rDev +8.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
2023 can. Eggshell head with lace. Burnt orange color.
Malty for sure. Caramel, toffee, honey bread. Pine and resin. Citrus. Bitter finish. Medium bodied. Fun holiday brew.
Dec 25, 2023Malty for sure. Caramel, toffee, honey bread. Pine and resin. Citrus. Bitter finish. Medium bodied. Fun holiday brew.
Reviewed by Suds from Missouri
4.05/5 rDev +9.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4.05/5 rDev +9.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
This one is from a twelve ounce can, bought for the Holidays. It is a hazy, deep gold color. The head is soapy and off-white. Lots of hop flavor in the smell…at once it has both juicy fruit and pine. There is some malt backing up the scent. There is a lot going on here. The taste has a sweetish tilt, but a nice bitter backstop. I enjoyed this one more than I thought I would.
Dec 23, 2023
Rated by mpk2020 from Illinois
4/5 rDev +8.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4/5 rDev +8.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Can from TJs
Dec 15, 2023
Reviewed by Weisenbeer from Ohio
4.06/5 rDev +9.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4.06/5 rDev +9.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Nicely aromatic brew which I would qualify as solidly above average .... Haven't had a new Goose Island in a while and was satisfied with this variety
Dec 01, 2023
Reviewed by DavetotheB from Pennsylvania
3.78/5 rDev +2.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.78/5 rDev +2.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
From a 12oz can dated 01APR23 (best by) into a pint glass.
Pours a murky copper color with about two and a half fingers of light tan head. Great retention and pretty good lacing.
Smells of sweet pine needles, light caramel and a bit of dirt.
Taste is on the malty side-bready, light caramel sweetness and light piney bitterness.
Medium-bodied, slightly sticky mouthfeel. Light bitter aftertaste. Touch of alcohol warmth. Low carbonation.
This is a nice enough beer. Solid.
Dec 24, 2022Pours a murky copper color with about two and a half fingers of light tan head. Great retention and pretty good lacing.
Smells of sweet pine needles, light caramel and a bit of dirt.
Taste is on the malty side-bready, light caramel sweetness and light piney bitterness.
Medium-bodied, slightly sticky mouthfeel. Light bitter aftertaste. Touch of alcohol warmth. Low carbonation.
This is a nice enough beer. Solid.
Reviewed by Bitburger from Vermont
4.36/5 rDev +17.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
4.36/5 rDev +17.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Great winter IPA. For me it´s tradition during christmas time to drink this stuff... Nicely integrated cinnamon spice, really good mouth feel and enough ABV to warm you up. Cheers!
Dec 20, 2022
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