NOTHING gets us into the festive mood better than an advent calendar – and there are now more drink-filled calendars than ever to help you count down to Christmas.
The best beer advent calendars are the ideal gift for beer lovers – and a great way to introduce them to new brews.
All of your favourite go-to craft beer sites, from Brewdog to Beer Hawk, have joined in on the fun, with a new beer advent calendar launching each festive season.
Typically, beer advent calendars contain 24 unusual, exciting and even award-winning beers.
Often, these beers are brewed exclusively for the calendars, and are available only in limited editions. The challenge will be sticking to only one beer a night in the lead up to Christmas day…
Some beer-themed advent calendars include snacks, too – as well as access to exclusive events and tastings for beer lovers.
Bitter, stout, IPA, pale ale… we want it all. Here's our line-up of the best beer advent calendars to try this Christmas.
Other Beer Christmas Gifts
Nothing goes down better than a nice cold beer each night during the month of December – which is why beer advent calendars often sell out by mid-November.
Here are some other festive ideas for beer lovers.
1. Beer Hawk 2021 Advent Calendar
- Beer Hawk 2021 Advent Calendar, £75 from Beer Hawk – buy here
The impeccable selection of drinks in this Beer Hawk calendar are brewed especially for the occasion and include a grand selection of beers with stories to tell.
Each beer is produced by some of the world's best breweries including Thornbridge, Tiny Rebel, Basqueland and Mikkeller.
A dedicated website will guide you through each delightful beer as you taste it, and the box is pretty mantelpiece-friendly too.
2. BrewDog Advent Calendar 2021
- BrewDog Advent Calendar 2021, £49.95 from BrewDog – buy here
When it comes to the best beer advent calendars around, BrewDog is an annual favourite for many beer lovers.
The brand is known for its exciting flavour combos (marshmallow and chocolate stout layer cake beer, anyone?) and commitment to sustainability.
At under £50, this beer advent calendar is one of the cheapest in our roundup – and packed with 24 craft beers, including 14 new 2021 launches and 4 online exclusives – it's well worth it.
If you don't like surprises, unwrap the advent calendar virtually here.
3. The Snaffling Pig Co. Pork Crackling and Beer Advent Calendar
- The Snaffling Pig Co. Pork Crackling and Beer Advent Calendar, £65 from The Snaffling Pig Co. – buy here
Why stop at a simple beer advent calendar when you can pick up a Christmas gem like this one from The Snaffling Pig Co., which not only includes 12 cans of beer, but also 12 bags of award-winning pork crackling.
Behind the 24 windows you'll find three varieties of pork crackling – Low & Slow BBQ, Marvellous Maple and Perfectly Salted – as well as Snaffling Pig beer cans in Twisted Tail Pale Ale, Mighty Swine Lager and Wild Hog Session Ale.
4. Beer52 Craft Beer Advent Calendar
- Beer 52 Craft beer Advent Calendar, £59.99 from Beer52 – buy here
Beer52's advent calendar includes 24 beers from 14 different countries and in 16 different styles from breweries such as Fierce Beer, North Brewing Co, Lervig and Browar Stu Mostów.
The contents are worth over £100, and each calendar comes with a limited edition tasting glass as well as the chance to win a year's beer subscription with an enclosed scratch card.
At under £60, it's also one of the cheapest beer advent calendars in this list.
5. Bier Company The Ultimate Craft Beer Advent Calendar 2021
- Bier Company The Ultimate Craft Beer Advent Calendar 2021, £69.95 from Bier Company – buy here
When it comes to the little extras you get with a luxe advent calendar, this festive calendar from the Bier Company takes the crown.
As well as including 24 premium beers (more on those next), it also includesthree delicious Bier snacks, a craft beer glass, a pair of Bier branded socks and a selection of quirky beer mats.
The beers aren't to be sniffed at either – a selection of 24 craft beers from award-winning UK and European breweries are made specifically for the calendar.
6. Virgin Wines Beer Advent Calendar 2021
- Virgin Wines Beer Advent Calendar 2021, £79.99 from Virgin Wines – buy here
Unlike many advent calendars on this list, Virgin Wines has stayed close to home to produce its 2021 calendar, shortlisting seven UK breweries to create 24 exclusive beers for the calendar.
Taste your way through the best beer Britain has to offer with this calendar, which contains 24 330ml cans of pale ales, traditional lagers and top notch IPAs.
7. Traditional Beer Company Lagers of the World Beer Hamper
- Traditional Beer Company Lagers Of the World Case of 12 Bottled Beers, £32.99 from Amazon – buy here
Ok, so this isn't an advent calendar as such, but beer-obsessives will be just as happy with a lager world tour courtesy of this Festive Beer Hamper by the Traditional Beer Company.
Inside are 12 lagers from 11 different countries around the world, including Germany, USA, Italy, Belgium, Brazil, Denmark, Czech Republic, India, Japan, Spain and Jamaica.
'Good variation of lagers, never had any complaints from friends.
Ideal for mates who can’t meet up to share a beer', writes a fan.
8. Beer Countdown Advent Calendar
- Beer Countdown Advent Calendar, The LittleBoysRoom at Not On The High Street, £110 from Not On The High Street – buy here
Spend the month of December merrily sampling 24 delicious beers with the help of this charming advent calendar.
Behind each of the 24 windows hides a bottle of hand-picked beer to invigorate your taste buds.
According to one shopper, it's just the ticket for beer experts: 'Purchased for my husband who is a bit of a beer connoisseur and he is loving it. Great product and good beers included.'
9. The Dry Drinker Alcohol Free Beer Advent Calendar
- The Dry Drinker Alcohol Free Beer Advent Calendar, £54.99 at The Dry Drinker – buy here
Any line-up of the best beer advent calendars of the year wouldn't be complete without an alcohol-free version for the dry drinkers in the pack.
This alcohol-free beer advent calendar proves that dry drinks are just as interesting and includes 12 cans and 12 bottles of variations on alcohol-free beers, including stout, lager and craft beers.
10. Black Sheep Beer Advent Calendar
- Black Sheep Beer Advent Calendar, £69.95 from Black Sheep – buy here
For a distinctive taste of Yorkshire, this advent calendar from The Black Sheep Brewery takes some beating.
A family-run company that prides itself on its traditional brewing techniques, the calendar includes a selection of the brewery's award-winning beers and limited-edition brews.
The 24 bottles include strong, dark Yorkshire ales, a chocolate orange stout and a citrus pale ale. A festive taste sensation awaits.
11. Craft Beer and Chocolate Surprise Advent Calendar
- BoroughBox Craft Beer and Chocolate Surprise Advent Calendar, £74.99 from BoroughBox – buy here
If you're not quite ready to ditch the traditional chocolate advent countdown in favour of beer altogether, this tasty calendar from BoroughBox is the perfect compromise.
There are 12 sweet treats included, such as honeycomb bites, award-winning creamy chocolate bars and chocolate-drizzled fudge.
Plus 12 equally impressive beers – from gluten-free beers with vanilla and chocolate flavours to crisp craft lagers and zingy pale ales.
12. Flavourly Craft Beer Canvent Calendar 2021
- Flavourly Craft Beer Canvent Calendar 2021, £49.95 from Flavourly – buy here
A sell-out every year, the Flavourly Craft Beer Advent calendar is back again for 2021 and offers an excellent selection of small-batch craft beers behind each of its 24 doors.
Priced a smidgen under £50, it's a fantastic value calendar that's guaranteed to be another Christmas smash hit.
What is a beer advent calendar?
Imagine a typical chocolate advent calendar and replace it with beer and you've got it.
A beer advent calendar typically has 24 doors to open in the days leading up to Christmas, starting on 1st December.
Many beer advent calendars include a varied selection of craft beers made by independent breweries, so a beer advent calendar is a fantastic way for beer aficionados to try new flavours and expand their beer palette.
Where to buy beer advent calendars
Online is your best bet for tracking down beer advent calendars with the most varied selection of beers.
Most can be purchased directly from the brewers themselves, and some of the most popular are from Beer Hawk, Flavourly and BrewDog.
It's also worth keeping an eye on the shelves of your nearest supermarket as many are increasing their range of adult alcohol advent calendars to keep up with demand.
How much do beer advent calendars cost?
The best value beer advent calendars generally start at around £50 with prices rising up to around £80.
For advent calendars with lots of extra products, like glasses and snacks, and that contain bigger bottles of beer, prices can sometimes climb up to around £120.
What to look for in a beer advent calendar
Firstly, think about your budget and find a beer advent calendar that fits within it.
Consider the type of beer you like and if there are any particular breweries you favour – if so, see if they produce their own advent calendar.
If you're into UK brews, this Virgin Wines advent calendar might be up your street, or if you're keen for your taste buds to travel, you can't go wrong with Beer Hawk's 2021 calendar.
What is the best value beer advent calendar in 2021?
There are a couple of really excellent value beer advent calendars this Christmas, and the two that take the cake, are Flavourly's Craft Beer Canvent Calendar and BrewDog's 2021 Advent Calendar.
Both contain 24 beers for under £50, which is cracking value.
Sun Selects is here to help you to choose the right product to suit your needs.
If you enjoyed our round-up of best beer advent calendars, check out our ultimate list of advent calendars for men and our edit of gin advent calendars 2021.
Or why not get your Christmas Day entertainment sorted? We've selected the best board games to buy this festive season.
Source: Read Full Article
