Toasting with beer at Christmas

Have you ever thought of toasting with beer? Now that Christmas is approaching, it can be a way to go off the beaten track. Shall we toast?

Julio Cerezo - Beer Sommelier
Director of Sabeer Beer Academy

Once again, Christmas is here, a time when gatherings with friends, colleagues, or family almost always revolve around a good meal, toasting with cava, champagne, cider, wine, or... beer?

Let’s face it, if we take a look around us, in homes, bars and restaurants, we’ll likely conclude that beer isn’t as prominent during the holiday season as the other alcoholic beverages mentioned. Despite this, it remains by far the most consumed drink in Spain.

The reasons for this are likely rooted in tradition. Celebrating these holidays with bubbles has a long history, and it has been common in Spanish households to accompany Christmas meals and dinners with a special wine or to open bottles of champagne, cava or cider for dessert, depending on tastes and budgets. Amid so many bubbles, those of beer have typically been left out, perhaps because beer is such a popular and everyday drink that it gets sidelined on special occasions.

Perhaps today is the time to reclaim beer as a drink to celebrate office parties, family dinners, and New Year’s Eve. The vast variety of styles that have emerged over the last decade, thanks to both major and small breweries, along with its endless possibilities for food pairings and lower alcohol content, make beer an excellent choice for enjoying festive gatherings in a healthier and more budget-friendly way.

To pair with the seafood dishes and cured meats that are so common during this season, we recommend beers with fruity profiles and a touch of acidity, such as the German wheat beers Paulaner (5.5%) or Franziskaner Weissbier (5%).

When it comes to harmonising with typical baked meat dishes – be it poultry, lamb or any other type of meat – full-bodied and complex beers, such as Belgian abbey beers, will provide the perfect counterpoint thanks to their fruity and spicy touches. For instance, Leffe Blonde (6.6%) or Grimbergen Double Ambrée (6.5%).

Even to accompany the Roscón de Reyes we have beer options such as Mahou Maestra Dunkel (6.1%) which, with its caramelised touches and hints of coffee, will provide a surprising pairing.

As always, but especially during this period, we recommend you consume in moderation and responsibly.