This Holiday Ale 5 Gallon beer recipe kit helps you brew a festive red ale with warm spice, toffee malt character, and balanced hop bitterness. Designed for seasonal brewing, this 5-gallon batch is ready to drink in about four weeks.
Makes 5 gallons (approximately 48–54 bottles) of seasonal Holiday Ale
Ready to drink in about 4 weeks
Spiced red ale with cinnamon and allspice
Seasonal, limited-time beer recipe kit
Crisp, clean, spice in focus
US-05 finishes driest here and ferments clean and neutral, so the allspice and cinnamon come through crisp and defined over the caramel malt rather than blending into sweetness. It ferments well around room temperature.
Ferment at 64-79°F
Attenuation 78-82%
Flocculation Medium
Clean and neutral
Clean and neutral, a little rounder
Flagship is a clean, neutral strain that leaves a touch more body than US-05, so the Caramel and Honey Malt feel a little rounder under the spice without the finish turning sweet. It takes its time dropping clear, which on an amber-colored beer hardly shows.
Ferment at 60-72°F
Attenuation 73-77%
Flocculation Low-Medium
Extremely clean
Nutty, and a natural with the spice
1272 brings a soft nuttiness that sits right alongside allspice and cinnamon, like the nuts in a holiday loaf, and it leaves more malt behind than US-05, so the beer feels fuller and warmer. It flocculates well and clears on its own.
Ferment at 60-72°F
Attenuation 72-76%
Flocculation Medium-High
Soft, nutty, clears clean
Rich, malty, and the fullest here
1968 leaves the most malt behind here, so the Caramel and Honey Malt finish rich and a little sweet, which turns this into a richer, more English take on a holiday ale with the spice riding on top. It adds a light English fruitiness and flocculates hard, so the beer clears fast.
Ferment at 64-72°F
Attenuation 67-71%
Flocculation High
Malty and sweet finishing
✅ Beginner-friendly with step-by-step brewing support
Flavor Profile & Beer Style
Holiday Ale is a malt-forward winter red ale designed to be warming, smooth, and easy to drink. This beer features rich toffee and caramel malt notes balanced by gentle hop bitterness. Cinnamon and allspice add subtle holiday warmth without overwhelming the base beer, creating a seasonal brew that feels festive but not overly sweet.
What’s Included in the Recipe Kit
This 5-gallon recipe kit includes all the ingredients needed to brew Holiday Ale at home:
Pilsen dry malt extract
Northern Brewer hops (bittering)
Willamette hops (aroma)
Specialty grains
Cinnamon and allspice spice blend
Grain steeping bag
Your choice of yeast (dry yeast, liquid yeast, or no yeast if you have your own)
Note: Brewing equipment is not included. This kit is designed for brewers who already own a 5-gallon brewing setup.
How the Brewing Process Works
Brewing your Holiday Ale allows flexibility in spice intensity:
Brew: Steep specialty grains, boil the wort, and add hops
Ferment: Ferment the beer until clean and stable
Spice Addition (Optional): Add spices as instructed for enhanced intensity
Enjoy: Ready to drink in about 4 weeks
For a stronger spice presence, brewers can reserve spices and add them during fermentation or bottling.
New to Liquid Yeast?
Liquid yeast can deliver excellent fermentation performance and a wider range of strain options, but it’s a living, perishable product that requires a little extra care.
Liquid yeast may arrive warm. Ice packs help reduce heat exposure but do not guarantee cold arrival.
Refrigerate it when received and plan to brew as soon as possible.
We recommend adding an insulated mailer + ice pack to liquid yeast orders.
During May–September, dry yeast is strongly recommended due to higher shipping temperatures.
Liquid yeast is final sale and cannot be replaced due to heat exposure during transit.
Homebrewers who enjoy sharing beer during the holidays
Drinkers who prefer malt-forward styles with subtle spice
Because it’s brewed in larger volume, it’s well suited for gatherings and gift bottles.
Holiday Ale Specs
Batch Size: 5 gallons ABV: ~5.5% Style: Spiced Red Ale Bitterness: Low to moderate Color: Deep red Yeast: Ale yeast
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Holiday Ale 5 Gallon Beer Recipe Kit
From $43.50
What You'll Brew
Holiday Ale (Spiced Winter Red Ale)
A malty red ale with toffee and caramel sweetness, gentle hop balance, and warm holiday spice from cinnamon and allspice. Smooth, comforting, and festive, this beer is designed for cold weather and cozy gatherings.
What's Inside the Holiday Ale 5 Gallon Beer Recipe Kit
This 5-gallon recipe kit includes all the ingredients needed to brew Holiday Ale at home:
Pilsen dry malt extract
Northern Brewer hops (bittering)
Willamette hops (aroma)
Specialty grains
Cinnamon and allspice spice blend
Grain steeping bag
Your choice of yeast (dry yeast, liquid yeast, or no yeast if you have your own)
Note: Brewing equipment is not included. This kit is designed for brewers who already own a 5-gallon brewing setup.
Make Your Next Batch with the Holiday Ale Beer Recipe Kit
Brewing your own Holiday Ale lets you control the spice level and create a beer that feels personal and seasonal. This kit teaches how to layer warming spices onto a balanced red ale base without overpowering the beer. It’s an ideal winter brew that’s as fun to make as it is to share.
Easy Steps to Making Holiday Ale Beer
Make Your Beer Look As Good As It Tastes.
You brewed something worth showing off. Starting at $4.99, give your bottles the finishing touch with our beer labels. Perfect for sharing your latest batch, gifting a few, or stocking your fridge with pride. Shop matching labels
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Want Extra Guidance? We've Got You Covered.
New to homebrewing or want extra confidence on brew day? Our Guide to Craft Brewing walks you through every step of the process—from brewing and fermentation to bottling and conditioning. It’s written in plain language and designed to help you brew great beer on your very first batch.
