Vocation Brewery says it is giving pubs and bars plenty to celebrate this Christmas with a festive line-up of seasonal specials available in both keg and cask.
From dessert-inspired stouts and comforting winter ales, to hop-forward IPAs, the range is designed to help operators boost sales and create memorable festive moments for guests.
“Christmas is all about emotion — people aren’t just buying drinks, they’re buying into a feeling,” said Chris Mitchell, marketing manager at Vocation Brewery.
“Our festive beers are designed to capture that sense of occasion with something bold, flavourful, and extra special for Christmas. They create choice and talking points, while also helping pubs and bars drive trade with beers that feel worth paying a little more for.”
Rob Beck, head brewer, added: “Brewing festive beers is always something we look forward to. We’ve captured flavours like cocoa, orange peel, roasted chestnut, and seasonal spices to create distinctive brews that people naturally associate with Christmas, while keeping the balance and drinkability pubs need for broad appeal.”
The specials: on keg
- Naughty & Nice chocolate orange stout (4.5% ABV): Available in keg and cask, this smooth and indulgent stout is inspired by the classic festive chocolate orange. Roasted malts bring depth and richness, while oats and lactose give a soft, creamy texture. Finished with real orange peel and natural cocoa. (brewer’s notes)
- Party Animal hazy IPA (5% ABV): Vibrant and hazy, with Simcoe, Ekuanot and Superdelic hops delivering layers of stone fruit, lime, papaya, and tropical candy sweetness. Its smooth and pillowy body is balanced by a gentle, refreshing bitterness.
- The Nutcracker chestnut & vanilla winter ale (5.5% ABV): A rich, full-bodied winter ale with smooth notes of roasted chestnut and soft vanilla for a seasonal finish. It offers layers of biscuit, caramel and gentle spice, with a touch of earthy bitterness for balance.
- Snow Pines cold IPA (6.4% ABV): Crisp and pine-forward, combining bright citrus, resinous pine and a hint of tropical fruit. It’s light-bodied, clean, dry and ultra-refreshing.
- Bread & Butter Pudding white stout (7% ABV): A golden dessert stout inspired by the flavours of bread-and-butter pudding. Vanilla custard, dried fruit and gentle spice unfold over a soft and bready malt base, finished with sultanas, nutmeg and Ceylon cinnamon.
The specials: in cask
- Winter Bloom session pale ale (3.8% ABV): A bright, refreshing winter pale. Rakau, Mosaic, and Citra hops deliver juicy tropical fruit, citrus, and stonefruit, balanced by a gentle bitterness, supported by a smooth, light malt base that finishes clean and crisp.
- Deck the Palms blonde ale (4.2% ABV): A vibrant blonde ale offering soft citrus and stone fruit notes with Motueka, Galaxy Spectrum, Vic Secret, and Rakau hops bringing lime, tropical fruit, passionfruit, peach, and delicate floral notes.
- Chop & Change Barbe Rouge pale ale (4.5% ABV): The latest in Vocation’s single-hop cask series, showcasing Barbe Rouge hops for festive red berry and subtle stone fruit flavours — perfectly balanced with a touch of caramel sweetness.
