New beer launches and collaborations, in store, on bars, and online, from brewers around the UK
Great Newsome have revealed their Christmas beers. Newsome Noel (5% ABV), an IPA, is back for another year, and it’s joined this year by Yorkshire Yuletide, a 4.5% ABV festive porter. “Yule Do will be making an appearance in a few weeks’ time, so there’s more festive goodness still to come,” says the brewer.
There’s a fresh brew of Westerham’s Light Ale (3.2% ABV). It’s a refreshing golden ale inspired by a similar beer brewed by the Black Eagle Brewery, in Westerham, throughout the 1940s and 1950s. This version first saw the light of day in 2024, to mark Westerham’s 20th anniversary.
Orbit have released the latest beer in their Diggers series, a barrel-aged Lentebock. Lentebock was originally brewed as part of the brewer’s White Label Series in 2025. They decided to age a portion for 14 months in Heaven Hill whisky barrels with Brettanomyces. The 7.8% ABV result has aromas of smokey leather and pineapple, with a touch of caramel. The flavour is slightly acidic with a boozy warmth. A rounded bitterness is balanced with a moreish sweetness, and there’s a dry finish.
Track are marking their 12th anniversary with a series of 12 collaborations, the first three of which are available. Dhanu (7% ABV), a collaboration with Sparkle, is a DDH IPA hopped with Nectaron, Peacherine, Nelson Sauvin, and Riwaka. Left Handed Giant have collaborated on Tauros, an 8% ABV DIPA featuring Citra, Citra Dynaboost, Riwaka, Eggers Lily. Makara has been created with Messoram. It’s an 8.4% DIPA showcasing Nelson Sauvin, Nectaron, and Eggers pESH.
There are two new barrel-aged beers from Amity. Twelve Parsecs, a 12% ABV tiramisu imperial stout, is a collaboration with Emperor’s Brewery. Amethyst Grand Cru (8.4% ABV) is an imperial plum porter. Both have been aged in Bushmills whiskey barrels.
Balance chilli beers are here. Both 5.5% ABV, there are two versions of the wild ale — one with CAP 270, a tantalisingly fruity chilli, and Aji Amarillo, smoked with mesquite. “They’re two really distinct explorations of flavour,” says the brewer. “The Smoked Aji Amarillo playing with heat, smoke, and umami, while the CAP 270 emphasises the fruitier, bell pepper qualities of chillies.”
Rich chocolate, smooth vanilla, and warming cinnamon come together in a “deliciously comforting” Christmas porter from Northern Monk, Festive Star (5% ABV). “Smooth, gently spiced, and packed with seasonal flavour, it’s the perfect companion for those colder evenings,” says the brewer.
Vocation have released two indulgent stouts aimed at festive season drinkers. Inspired by the classic flavours of panettone, White Gold (6% ABV) is a smooth, creamy white stout layered with honey, orange zest, raisin, and vanilla, alongside gentle hints of cinnamon and cardamom. First Pick (4.6% ABV) is a chocolate and praline stout. With hints of vanilla and roasted malt adding depth, it delivers a velvety body and a smooth, sweet finish.
Brew York has introduced a new Christmas-themed beer. Rudolph Reigns (4.1% ABV) is described as light in body yet full in flavour. It delivers a crisp and refreshing character, balanced with a smooth bitterness.
There are two festive-themed new beers from Verdant. It’s cliched to be cynical at Christmas is a 6.5% ABV IPA loaded with Mosaic, Galaxy, and Strata. Expect waves of passionfruit, orange pith, and fruit-juice dipped hashish. The Joy in Simple Things is a 5.2% ABV pale ale packed with Citra, Eclipse, and Mosaic. “It tastes like a juicy, slightly boozy clementine,” says the brewer.
