A simple, stovetop approach to making spiced holiday ale that actually tastes homemade—in the best way. No fancy equipment. No chemistry degree. Just good beer and cozy vibes.
Brew In A Bag is the simplest way to make all-grain beer. One pot, one bag, real beer. We'll walk you through every step without any confusing jargon.
Our secret weapon for adding holiday spices without ruining your batch. Make a tincture, add it to taste, and nail the flavor every single time.
One gallon is perfect for experimenting, gift-giving, or just not committing to 5 gallons of something you've never made. Lower stakes, same satisfaction.
Here's the thing about holiday ales: most recipes either drown you in complicated steps or leave you guessing on the spices. Too much cinnamon? Beer tastes like a candle. Not enough? Just tastes like regular beer.
We fixed that with a dead-simple approach:
An amber ale with warm spice notes of cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice. Balanced sweetness, medium body, and just enough holiday cheer to make your guests ask for the recipe.
Fill your pot, heat to about 160°F, lower in your grain bag, and let it steep. This is called "mashing" and it's where the sugars come from. Think of it like making a really big tea bag.
After an hour, pull out the grain bag, let it drip, then crank up the heat. You'll boil for an hour, adding hops along the way. Your kitchen will smell amazing.
Cool down your liquid (now called "wort"), pour it into a fermenter, and sprinkle in yeast. They'll eat the sugars and make alcohol. Science is cool.
Two weeks of waiting while fermentation does its thing. Then add your spice tincture drop by drop until it tastes right. This is where the magic happens.
Add a bit of sugar, bottle it up, wait two more weeks for carbonation. Then crack one open, sit by the fire (or space heater), and enjoy what you made.
One base recipe, five different directions. Pick the flavor profile that matches your holiday vibe.
Cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice. The warm, familiar flavors everyone expects from a holiday ale. Can't go wrong.
Learn MoreOrange peel, lemon zest, and coriander. Lighter and brighter—like sunshine on a cold day.
Learn MoreGinger, clove, and cardamom. Spicier and more assertive. Warms you from the inside out.
Learn MoreCandi sugar, orange peel, and coriander with Belgian yeast. Complex and sophisticated.
Learn MoreCocoa nibs, vanilla, and cinnamon on a darker base. Dessert in a glass.
Learn MoreWant to make more than one gallon? Plug in your batch size and get all the adjusted ingredient amounts instantly.
Open ToolInteractive checklist that saves your progress. Check off each step as you go so nothing gets forgotten.
Open ToolFigure out exactly what temperature to heat your water so it lands at the right mash temp when you add grains.
Open ToolPick your brew date and see exactly when you'll be drinking. Great for planning around holidays and events.
Open Tool
From ancient wassail to modern craft beer, holiday ales have been warming hearts for centuries.
Everything you need to know about scaling from 1 gallon to 5 gallons.
This site was created with love, especially for my dad.
Love, Toni ❤️