Glasgow brewery, Simple Things Fermentations (STF), is bringing back its much-loved Belgian Christmas Ale for 2025, now in its fifth year, with a release date of 27 October across 440ml cans and limited draught. The beer keeps STF’s “no adjuncts” philosophy (just malt, hops, yeast and water) and comes in at 6.3% ABV. This edition “leans into the darker side of the season”, almost stout-like in appearance but light and smooth on the palate, with flavours of cherry liqueur chocolates and coffee, and a restrained Saaz hop character for an earthy, herbal lift.

Brewed with a rich malt bill, including chocolate malt, Special B and Maris Otter, the beer is naturally carbonated and vegan-friendly, continuing the series’ tradition of Belgian-style fermentation character with seasonal richness. Previous vintages sold out quickly, and the brewery says they’ve increased production for 2025 to reach more retailers and bars nationwide.

STF frames the Christmas release as a yearly “reinterpretation” of the house style rather than a fixed recipe, aiming to balance indulgence with drinkability. Expect availability via independent retailers, bars and bottle shops across England and Great Britain from late October. For the broader background on the series, STF’s beer page describes it as an evolving annual release built around a rich malt profile and Belgian fermentation - think sherry, cake spice and festive pastry notes, designed to pair with winter treats like Stilton or mince pies.