Santa's Favorite Beverage: Beer Or Not?

Santa Claus is known for his jolly demeanour and booming laugh, but what does he drink to keep that rosiness in his cheeks? While some may assume that Santa's jolly belly comes from his love of milk and cookies, it turns out that in some countries, Santa is greeted with booze. From a cold beer in Australia to a pint of Guinness in Ireland, and even a whiskey nightcap upon his return to the North Pole, Santa has been known to enjoy a tipple or two. So, if you're looking to treat Santa this Christmas, forget the cookies and milk, and leave him a beer instead!

Santa's favourite beers

Santa Claus is a busy man on Christmas Eve, delivering presents to children all over the world. To keep him fuelled for his travels, children in different countries leave out a variety of alcoholic drinks for him, including beer. So, what are Santa's favourite beers?

Well, in Ireland, Santa is greeted with a pint of Guinness. This stout is a popular choice for Santa to enjoy during the winter months. In Australia, where Christmas falls in the summer months, Santa is offered a cold, refreshing beer. Over in Norway, children leave out jugs of Juleøl, or Christmas beer – a mildly sweet dark ale or lager with a slightly spicy aftertaste. This beer has been brewed in Norway for many centuries, since the time of the Vikings.

If you're wondering what beer to leave out for Santa, you could take inspiration from the beer that bears his name. Santa's Private Reserve, brewed by Rogue Ales & Spirits, is a Belgian dark ale. The 2017 version of this beer featured cherries and raspberries, while the 2018 edition included tangerines and boysenberries. The 2019 brew was made with candy cap mushrooms, known for their aromatic qualities.

Other Christmas beers that might take Santa's fancy include Holidale from Breckenridge Brewery, a whiskey barrel-aged Christmas ale; Samuel Adams Utopias by The Boston Beer Co., a rare and spectacular brew; and Samichlaus Schloss Eggenberg, a strong (14% ABV) winter warmer adorned with an image of Santa himself.

Beer vs milk

While Santa Claus is often greeted with milk and cookies on Christmas Eve in the United States, other countries like Australia, Norway, and Ireland offer him beer instead.

Beer and milk have both been the subject of debate when it comes to their health benefits and drawbacks. While milk has long been considered a nutritious and essential drink for overall human development, particularly in Indian households, some studies have linked it to serious health issues such as heart disease, obesity, diabetes, and even cancer. Milk is also believed to be a risk factor for atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease due to its cholesterol, saturated fatty acid, and lactose content.

On the other hand, beer, which is an alcoholic beverage, has been found to have some surprising health benefits. It is said to contain essential nutrients like soluble fibre, calcium, and iron, and is also an antioxidant. Beer is also believed to boost bone health due to its dietary silicon content, which is important for bone and connective tissue growth and health.

However, it is important to note that excessive consumption of anything can be harmful, and alcohol should always be consumed in moderation. While beer may provide certain benefits, it is still a form of alcohol, and overconsumption can lead to health issues. Similarly, while milk has been traditionally considered healthy, its high-fat content and possible link to inflammation cannot be ignored.

The debate between beer and milk is a complex one, and it is challenging to declare a clear winner. While beer may offer certain advantages, the potential risks associated with alcohol consumption cannot be overlooked. Likewise, milk, despite its nutritional benefits, may contribute to specific health concerns when consumed in excess. Ultimately, moderation and a balanced approach to consumption are key.

Christmas Eve in Australia

For those who stay at home, Christmas Eve is often spent doing last-minute preparations, especially if they are expecting guests. Some may also take part in summer activities such as swimming, surfing, tennis, windsurfing, football, cricket, barbecues, and beach volleyball. Shopping centres are also popular, with some staying open until midnight for last-minute shoppers.

For Christians, Christmas Eve may include attending midnight mass, which marks the end of the Advent period. It is also the time when children leave food and drink out for Santa Claus, who is believed to bring presents to children all over the world. In Australia, Santa is often left a cold beer, a welcome change from the milk and cookies he receives in the US and the pint of Guinness he is greeted with in Ireland.

Santa's drink in Ireland

In Ireland, Santa Claus is greeted with a pint of Guinness, the country's favourite beer. The Irish also traditionally serve a mince pie and a carrot alongside the pint of Guinness. The mince pie is a savoury treat filled with mincemeat, fruit, and baking spices. The carrot is meant for Rudolph, to help energise him on his global journey.

The tradition of drinking Guinness at Christmas is fitting, given that the average person in Ireland drinks the equivalent of 436 pints of beer every year.

In addition to Guinness, there are several other drinks that are popular in Ireland during the Christmas season. One is mulled wine, a warm red wine with spices and fruit slices. Another is eggnog, which contains eggs, milk, and cream. For those who prefer a non-alcoholic option, there is a drink made by heating apple juice, orange peel, cinnamon stick, and cloves.

If you're looking for a craft beer option, there's Fairy Ale of New York, a Christmas pale ale (IPA) created by Molloys Liquor Stores and Rascals Brewing.

Norway's Christmas beer

The brewing of Christmas beer in Norway dates back to pre-Christian times, at least. It was a key part of Viking culture, where it was used in religious ceremonies to honour Norse gods and to celebrate "Jul", the Norwegian word for the Christmas season.

In the 900s, King Haakon the Good sought to preserve the Pagan tradition by making it illegal to celebrate Christmas without beer. Those who did not serve beer at their Christmas feasts were fined.

In the early 1800s, the Norwegian brewery industry went through a significant upheaval. Home brewing, farmstead brewing, and craft brewing were all displaced by commercial brewing and drinking habits shifted towards hard liquor. The first commercial advertisements for Christmas beer appeared in the 1860s and 1870s.

During World War II, brewers did not produce Christmas beer due to a lack of resources. After the war, breweries continued to refrain from brewing Christmas beer to avoid provoking the temperance movement and the government into introducing beer rationing. It wasn't until 1956 that Christmas beer was brewed again in Norway.

Today, nearly every Norwegian brewery follows the tradition of brewing Christmas beer, albeit with some modern adjustments. It is one of the most important beers a Norwegian brewery produces, carrying significant cultural and historical weight.

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