German Beer & Christmas

Bummer.

The deals are usually good on these though, so I'll still open them up and check dates. The Weihenstephan hasn't had terribly old stock from what I remember. And as @dgmirelli they contain many styles that are good for all seasons.

Although I have enough Weihenstephan hefeweizen glasses at this point, I wish they'd put another glass style in there one year...

 

I think some are getting off of the question posed by the O.P.: "What style(s) of beer are popular in Germany at Christmas time?"

No offense, but I don't think what someone is drinking in NY or Colorado counts... even if it is a German beer.

 

It's not produced in Germany, but if you have a Kuhnhenn Raspberry Eisbock, its a wonderful wintertime and celebratory beer.

 

Hate to be pedantic, but Samichlaus was originally a Swiss beer which is now brewed in Austria.

 

Warsteiner Winter is really good. Rich and malty without being sweet.

http://www.warsteiner.us/our-beer/winter-special-edition/

 

You're right, there is no way someone outside of a country could know what happens in another country. It's impossible!

 

My favorite is Vitus

 

Just look at it!

 

German(ic)

 

Just a small correction: doppelbocks are actually a Spring release which normally appear on German shelves before Lent.

 

Not at all what I was referencing, but good one anyway!

 

Except when they're released as Weihnactsbier or Winter Spezial.

 

@steveh indeed... it's all about what you call it, yes?

In answer to the OP, I remember seeing a lot of single bocks and Märzens designated as "Festbier" or such around Christmas too.

 

From the web site of the above-mentioned Krug-Bräu:
"Bernsteinfarbenes Bockbier
unser dunkles Starkbier, das nur zur Weihnachtszeit und im Mai angeboten wird."
"Our dark, strong beer which is offered only at Christmas... and May." Talk about seasonal release confusion.

Well, now you're really getting into semantics.

As I mentioned above, the Winter Spezial that HB released a few years ago was more Festbier than Doppelbock.

 

This is a good point, my reply about Samichlaus being Swiss/Austrian was somewhat off topic. But nonetheless, I don't think Samichlaus is a good example of what Germans actually drink in the Christmas season, it's really a cult beer.

 

Indeed, but the OP asked what styles of beer are popular in Germany, not Germanic countries.

 

You don't think any Germans drink Samichlaus? I mean, with all of the different, local breweries in Germany, I can understand how it can get passed by, but to it being a good example -- it is right in the same range as most Weihnachtsbier -- albeit, a little on the stronger range. Factor in its Germanic name (in Swiss dialect) and the fact that it's brewed on St. Nicholas Day every year, I think it can fall into the realm of beer types we're discussing. Not like we're trying to pass off Anchor Our Special Ale or Sam Smith Winter Welcome as the go-to beers for German holiday revelers.

However, I am interested in hearing this "cult beer" theory concerning Samichlaus. It certainly was just that for the longest time here in the U.S., but I'd never heard of it as such in Europe.

 

Do you have the official .00125 (yes, I exaggerate, but it's tiny) liter Sammy Krug? If no, maybe we need to discuss a trade-off?

 

Vitus is freakin' awesome. That beer is the bomb! So cheap and easy to find as well.

Since they went to 6 pack format vs. the pint sized bottles only like in the past, I'm sure sales of that beer have probably quadrupled at least in the US.