A toast with history: how the tradition of beer was born at Christmas
Beyond marketing and campaigns that invade gondolas in December, the custom of preparing special beers for the Christmas season has roots that date back to ancestral times. From the ancient Nordic celebrations to European medieval practices, this tradition is part of the cultural fabric of many nations, sometimes masked by modernity but always present in seasonal flavors and aromas.
Vikings echoes in today’s recipes
In Scandinavian countries, the history of Christmas beer is as robust as its winters, with a past that goes back to the times of the Vikings. They enjoyed a maltose and strong drink during their July festivities, an offering to their gods like Odin and Frey. Although Christianity transformed many traditions, in Norway the law signed its commitment to this liquid celebration, forcing each home to prepare their own beer in the Yule festivities.
Legislation that shapes tradition
The thirteenth century brought Gulathing’s laws, which formalized a practice that was already customary: each peasant had to produce a special beer for Christmas and organize a family celebration. The law was so firm that the sanctions for non -compliance could range from fines to the loss of properties, demonstrating how entrenched this custom was in the rural and festive culture of the region.
Of frost Nordic lands to the cans of the world
With roots that reach the past Viking, the traditions of preparation of beer at Christmas crossed borders and centuries. Sweden and Denmark, heirs of these old customs, stood out for their enthusiasm in the creation and consumption of these drinks on the dates indicated. Even in the seventeenth century, the Swedes brought tradition to North America, introducing their Julebeg and Juleøl into distant lands.
The emergence of modern commercial versions occurred at the end of the 19th and early twentieth centuries, and today that legacy continues. Although many Scandinavian seasonal beers are produced in volume and often with light styles, the essence of Christmas drinks is still alive in small artisanal lots and in commercial breweries that maintain tradition.
The stories that seas and epochs crossed
The uniqueness of Scandinavian customs did not go unnoticed by other corners of the old continent. In 1804, a British journalist stressed that the practices of making beer at Christmas in that region were unique in Europe. Although in Great Britain there was also the tradition of strong festive beers, this custom was not as institutionalized or as celebrated as in the Northern lands.
The colonial past and cultural exchange facilitated that these traditions were mixed, creating a mosaic of flavors and rituals around beer at Christmas. Some classic brands today have been linked to that story, but what has really changed is how beer is perceived and consumed on these dates, adapting to current trends and tastes.
From Belgium to the corners of the world: styles and their evolution
Belgium, known for his rich beer tradition, also contributed his special touch to the Christmas table. However, in recent times, many of its most traditional creations have been eclipsed by modern variants that seek to capture the attention of the global consumer.
An interesting reference is Stella Artois, a brand that, although today is associated with light and easy lagers, was born in 1926 with the intention of being a Christmas beer. His name, which means “star” in Latin, alluded to the Christmas star, and its creator, Sebastianus Artois, left a legacy that still lasts, although without the dark and maltious character that was expected in the classic versions.
In contrast, other traditional beers such as Young’s Winter Warmer, originally from England, show how winter drinks aroused the interest of the brewers: strong, sweet and comforting, perfect for the cold season and now turned into Christmas symbols.
Beer with character: the examples that marked time
One of the emblematic figures in the world of Christmas beers was Samichlaus, originally from Zurich, which in the 80s stood out as the strongest beer on the planet with an impressive 14% alcohol. This pioneer specimen in the field of high -graduation beers was imagined as a modern and scientific version of the traditional Christmas toast, combining innovation with tradition.
The elaboration process was even more fascinating, since for almost a year, this beer remained in ancient to achieve its unique character. Although it ceased to occur in 1996, its spirit persists in the high -graduation beers that the glasses fill in special dates, demonstrating how much it can evolve and surprise beer in these times.
A few years ago, different breweries worldwide began experimenting with recipes and styles, trying to bring that special magic, that feeling of liquid celebration that connects so much with the very essence of Christmas.
How far will the tradition come? Only time and bold brewers will have the answer, but in the meantime, history and science continue to unite their strength to offer celebrations that, with each sip, lead us to a past full of roots and a future full of possibilities.
