Happy December! This year marks the twelfth edition of my Advent Beer Calendar, featuring a Christmas themed beer revealed each day through the 24th, just like the Advent calendars you see every year. There are even several real-life beer ones now; Brewpublic reported on one yesterday.

The one on this blog is only virtual, but I hope you have fun with it and are surprised by each day’s picks!

To start the month off we’re going to Louisiana for Abita Christmas Ale from Abita Brewing — celebrating their 30th anniversary this year. Their Christmas Ale is an annual tradition, stylistically a red or amber ale in the 5 to 6% abv range. They say:

Each year at the Abita Brewery we craft a special dark ale for the holiday season. The recipe changes each year so that Abita Christmas Ale is always the perfect gift. Its spicy character is excellent with traditional holiday foods such as gingerbread or spiced nuts. Try some blue cheese or a creamy Camembert with a Christmas Ale.

You have to love the label — Santa’s bayou canoe being pulled by a team of flying alligators over New Orleans. Santa’s sack is filled with Abita Christmas Ale, of course.

Find Abita Christmas Ale on:

• Untappd
• BeerAdvocate
• RateBeer
• Facebook