Bell's Christmas Ale

Review Date 12/24/2019  Last Updated  12/26/2021  By John Staradumsky

  Style: Scotch Ale   Brewery: Bell's   Country: USA   State: Michigan   $ Per OZ: $.13 (B), $.34 (G)   ABV: 7.5%

Don’t you just love winter seasonal beers? I know I do. From holiday spiced ales to special renditions of beloved classic styles, they make the winter and holidays a special time of year indeed. One delightful example is Bell’s Christmas Ale, a deep malty Scotch Ale sure to warm your soul in the winter chill.

Scotch Ales are amongst my favorite styles, loaded as they are with malt and toffee. Bell’s version is only around for a short time, so best to get some while you can! It reminds me of that old classic Christmas song, "I drank the Bell's on Christmas Day".

Bell’s says:

This traditional Scotch Ale is rich and malty with notes of caramel and a warm finish. Certain to make any occasion festive, or at least a bit more bearable. Enjoy with the company of friends and family.

Bell’s Christmas Ale has an alcohol content of 7.5% by volume. Target was selling it for $9.49 a six-pack this year.

Bell’s Christmas Ale pours to a tawny chestnut amber color with a thick creamy tan head and a rich toffee nose. Taking a sip, the beer is wonderfully malty with soft toffee and treacle notes, chewy caramel, really an amazing malt show! The finish is balanced gently with bitter hops in the finish but leans ever se slightly to the malt side.

Highly recommended.  

Update 11/5/2021: Last year, I missed out on Bell's Christmas Ale. I saw it at Target (they had cases of the stuff) but neglected to pick up a six. When I decided to remedy that, there it was: gone! I did get a single from Craftshack but with his wonderful beer, one is not enough! Fortuantely for 2021 I saw Bell's Christmas Ale early at Target (before-Halloween early) and tossed one right into my cart. A little higher in price at $12.34, but this beer is absolutely worth it. So good I am bumping it up from 4 to 4 1/2.

Update 12/26/2022: How about even more Bell's Christmas Ale? This time in a crowler from Stout's. All the wonderful maltiness pops bigger and better on draft. Can't argue with the price at $10.75, either.

Glad I tried it?  T

Would I rebuy it??